Actually, I just put a 4 speed into the 82 diesel last week. I just get
the rear end as high as I can on stands and do it by hand. Not sure what
they weigh, but not very much, 90lb. or so I'd guess. The diesel is
almost perfectly balanced on its mounts, only needs the slightest
support. WBX and air-cooled are hung from the rear, so will need some
support. I prefer to use some old scissors jack with ratcheting box-end
wrench- that way I can do 1 hand adjustments while I start bolts with
the other hand.
I almost invariably work alone, and always think long and hard about the
time I laid under an 82 Volvo with the 4 speed plus overdrive unit on my
chest doing Yoga breathing exercises. (While wondering if anyone would
come to my funeral!)
Lifting the Vanagon trans into place by hand is pretty easy for me.(I
guess practice makes perfect- probably done 20 over the years.)  I lay a
sheet cardboard on the ground, get the trans over under the left rear
control arm, laying on its left side, just roll over onto my left side
and give it a bear hug, then roll over onto my back with it on my chest.
Next step, I get the bellhousing up into place with the nose cone still
trying to hurt my belly. once it's stuck up there, I can get a free hand
and raise the  nose with my left hand. . It is necessary to have the
alignment rather close, then shove the thing back. It should slide
nearly completely in. If it does not, wiggle the nose in small circles
to find the sweet spot. (IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT LET IT DANGLE BY ITS OWN
WEIGHT!) Then get a bolt in, get it in 3 threads before you let go of
the trans's weight. IF you must draw the engine and trans together, do
not pull very hard. If it takes more than light pressure, there is
something wrong.
If you try to do this, it would be good to use coat hanger wire to hold
the axles out of the way. I pull them up and back as far as I can. This
is kind of a taxing job and you don't need anything in your way.
I am often surprise at how easy this is. I think anyone with  good upper
body strength can handle it. Using a tranny jack just doesn't seem
logical to me.
Al Brase

jimt wrote:

>On 4/9/05 13:34, "Shawn Wright" <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA> wrote:
>
>
>
>>When I did the tranny only, I used a bottle jack under the engine so I could
>>fine tune the height. Hanging it is probably safer, or a combination of both.
>>Shawn Wright
>>
>>
>
>Actually a combination on mine.  Hung with chain and then used my heavy jack
>under the engine and a small jack under the tran.  Used the jacks to tweak
>my height and the hanging was actually safety once I was doing the
>connection of the two.
>........................................
>jimt
>Planned insanity is best.
>Remember that sanity is optional.
>http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
>http://www.westydriver.com
>
>
>