Clutch issues.

[JB455]

So my '85 Excel has been running very well lately, so I knew some kind of problem had to pop up! I was up at Lime Rock Park for my second day in a row of enjoying their Historics. Many gorgeous vintage Lotus in attendance- including 4 Esprit X180R- 3 race cars and one road car. I even won the "Best Lotus" award at their big car show today! Anyhow, it's an about an 80 mile round trip- car was flawless though 3 1/2 legs of the trip - and a few laps of the track in-between races. About 1/3 of the way back today it started getting difficult to shift and noticed a rattling as I changed gears. By the time I was half way home I had to call it quits. The clutch pedal was rock hard and the clutch wouldn't disengage. Having to go through a couple of towns and stoplights at major intersections I thought it best not to try to just make it home in 3rd gear.

So I am assuming that something broke in the clutch or pressure plate and it's time to replace the clutch assembly. Is the clutch the same as a Toyota unit or is there something that makes it an Excel only part? I looked on SJ and their prices for the parts aren't cheap. Being in the US it would be easier to get Toyota parts if they'll work.
Second question- Can the engine and trans be separated in the car or do they need to come out as a unit? If I can get away with just pulling the engine and leaving the trans in place it seems that it would make the job just a little easier. I've replaced many clutches, but this will be my first in a Lotus. In other cars I've been able to drop the drive shaft and slide the trans back enough to do the clutch- the backbone chassis seems like that would be impossible.

Any insight that would make the job easier would be appreciated!

[DavidOliver]

Your decision probably is more related to time needs to get back on the road and/or what lifting gear you have.

You also do not know if the problem is clutch or gearbox, if you know it is clutch go for extracting the engine only, you will have to play around with engine mounts to get access to some bell housing bolts, not worth removing the head as this involves a stack of extra work.
If you have good lifting gear go for extracting the complete engine plus gearbox.
You might consider draining the gearbox oil to see what debris if any.

As an aside, check the gearbox support, I found mine rubber to metal sheared off and you can only get a new one at SJSportscars, saves you delivery time to US.

Dave the cog.

[JB455]

99% sure the issue is with the clutch. Ran fine in gear, just wouldn't disengage to change gears. Linkage works fine going into all the gears with the motor not running.

[Zaphod]

Having taken the engine and gearbox out a few times I really would not bother trying to take just the engine out, it's all much easier to put back in as one unit!

[Marten]

You might consider draining the gearbox oil to see what debris if any.

And it saves making a mess when you pull the engine & gearbox out
But check the clutch pedal linkage & hydraulics before you do anything big just in case

[JB455]

Is the clutch assembly the same as a Toyota unit? I need to get this thing back on the road before winter sets in!