i was just wondering when removing my engine on the 6 banger but leaving the gear box in do i need to remove the starter motor or does it stay atached to the motor?
thanks

Easier to take motor and box as a unit-remove starter first.Assemble box to new motor before re-fitting.

you pull the motor, you are going to have to drop the box, no matter what, the input shaft from the box needs to be pulled from the motor, you can remove the box and leave it under the car, then lift the motor, I find it easier this way. Others have their own opinion.

oki doki, ive decided im just removing the lot in one go, its just one of them things every one has mixed opinions about so ill just go do it with the box and all
thanks

I removed everything seperately, mainly because I was doing it on my own. It is much harder to remove the engine with box attached on your own than to remove everything bit by bit. More time consuming but either way you do it, the job will get done. The only thing you'd hate the most, would be the top 2 mounting bolts on the bell housing to the engine, unless you remove the box off the bellhousing keeping it attached.

Yes, you need to remove the starter. It bolts thru the sandwich plate, between the engine and trans. Is it an auto or manual?
Taking the motor out while leaving the transmission in the car is piss easy, if you know what you are doing. Yes, the two top bellhousing bolts can be tuff, but if you are doing the job alone, or with unskilled help, it's a lot less f**k around. Remember, if it's an auto, you need to remove the convertor bolts and make sure the convertor is free of the flexplate. Support the trans with a trolley jack, raising it as the engine is lifted, and it will come apart easily enough. Once the engine is out, if you need to move the car (or you need the jack) put a spare jack stand between to top of the bellhousing and the crossmember, and lower the jack. That will support the trans, and stop the convertor falling out if you move the car. And watch out for the trans cooler lines.
If you remove the engine and trans as a unit, be careful when getting it over the radiator support. It can be bent quite easily. Make sure you plug up the trans, or you will make a hell of a mess. Don't try and use the tailshaft as a bung, it will get hung up under the car.
Be careful, it can be real easy to hurt yourself, or a helper, when removing the engine.
Good luck.

its a manual , im getting my mate to help and im doing engine and box as one piece, too much f**k around the other way,what if i drain the box before i take it out does this mean almost no mess? lol. i just need to borrow an engine crane from someone tomorrow if they arent using it and itl be all done n dusted until i get the spare engine out of my old car
thanks