I have spent the weekend stripping the donor. the only major problem has been removing the Diff.
the engine is out.
the wheels, hubs and driveshafts are out the gearbox is off
and the prop retaining plate is unbolted.
but the diff would not come away from the chassis.
followed the haynes manual . took out all the bolts they said. but it would not drop off ? any suggestions ?

3 big bolts ans the rubber saddle thing.

Once they are out get a leaver between it and the body and persuade it

Yep I had a simular problem, ended up with the unit well wedged. Ended up easing it out with the jack and a block of wood, not recomended as the car was on axel stands (I was not under the car at the time!!).. I suspect their is a simple way of doing this. I think you could drop the rear subframe with the diff/drive shafts attached, and work with out being under the car...

It will come out but it is a bugger of a job,its far easier to drop the complete beam axle and work on it from the floor.

Got so impatient with mine, I took an angle grinder to the floor inside directly above it.

Did'nt take me long to get it out after that

id always get the subframe out, seems too risky trying to rag it out whilst the cars on stands!

Looks like i'm gonna drop the rest of the frame out then

get a sledge hammer and have some fun

Agreed, subframe out is the way.

I was trying to get the diff itself out and was all going fine until the top long bolt jammed. I then tried to drift it out and I got the drift wedged in the hole!

So then I dropped the sub frame out!

SimonH,
Are you going to want to get the hub nuts off? If you are then do this with the diff still in the car and the car on it's back wheels!
As it's a lot harder to get them off once the diff is out!

Cheers,
James