Really appreciate the Web sites too - I'll check them out and give them a call.

Jim

Hello,

I am out by Morristown.  Here is my list

Tuxedo Motor Sports -  I haven't used them  yet, but they are on my top of places to try if I ever need engine/transmission work done //www.tuxedomotorsport.com/

Shade Tree Garage - Morristown NJ.  They did my Stage1 Exhaust install (and rad fan flip).  Good shop, deal with a lot of older cars (and newer BWM/Porsche).  Staff was great and worked with my as far as parts and plan of action.  Not sure how much A series engines they worked on, so that is my only hesitation.  //www.shadetreegarage.com/

Can anyone recommend a really good mechanic shop near Manhattan to do a verto clutch plunger and bearing swap out on a '91 Mini Cooper without pulling the engine out of the car?

(And maybe even a flywheel, friction disc and pressure plate swap out if that turns out to be the ultimate root of my shifting problem?)

I'm currently hung up on handling this myself due to a rust/seized lower clutch arm clevis pin as well as the lack of any place to work on the car except curbside in Manhattan.

I have handled every other replacement job myself, from carb, to clutch slave cylinder, rear brake cylinder & shoes, front brake pads, dizzy cap and wires and plugs, CV boots, window crank, antenna, suspension cones, top arm shaft, water pump, heater core, exhaust from the LCB pipes back, even sunroof repairs and minor body work, etc., but this... This has me stuck.

I've searched the forums a best I could, but aside from seeing a horror story for a Staten Island automatic owner with a certain shop on the upper eastside in the 70'a, I don't see any other references or referrals to actual establishments/shops.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations you can offer! Jim