[locating defender gearbox to engine]

maybe the clutch plate & gearbox shaft splines are out of line, try turning the engine with a socket & bar on the crank pulley nut.

I wondered that. Will give it a try on friday. If you hear screeming from the direction of gloucestershire it hasnt worked.....thanks for taking the time to reply. Regards

[locating defender gearbox to engine]

Having just had the interesting experience of removing the gearbox from my diesel defender and replacing a punched through clutch release lever. I am trying to relocate the gearbox onto the engine, I have the gearbok suspended from slings and all the studs look to be in line and everything square but just cant get the box to slide on the lenngth of the studs. All the studs are by the way just located into the bell housing holes by one or two mil. Anybody got any tips for the final location. Ive tried jiggling and pushing but alac and alas to no avail so far..........help!!!