trouble with reinstalling tranny

[bake315]

OK, I'm sort of at my wits end.  So I got my clutch and flywheel assembly reinstalled on my '74, and I attached the bellhousing with clutch fork and throwout bearing to the sm465, and have spent most of the afternoon trying to reattach it to the engine.  I can get it all lined up and level with the tranny jack, and I've gotten it within an inch and a half of going back together, but no closer.

Are there any special hints/tips to getting this thing back together?  I considered removing the bellhousing assembly and attaching it to the engine, and then trying to thread it through the bearing and into the engine that way, but before I did, I wanted to get some input for you guys.

Help!

bake315

[zieg85]

Did you use a clutch alignment tool to center the clutch disc within the assembly?

[bake315]

Did you use a clutch alignment tool to center the clutch disc within the assembly?

Yes, I was careful to do that.  I used the one that came with the clutch kit.  I didn't remove it until after I'd torqued that assembly to specs.

[zieg85]

sometimes it is helpful if you put the shifter in and place the transmission in gear so you can rock the input shaft a little by turning the output yolk with your hand while you are pushing it in.  It is easier to bolt the bell housing to the engine.

[Fairlane514]

I have always attached the bell housing to the motor first and then "thread" it like you said.  Did you check the pilot bushing/bearing before you installed it to make sure it fit over the transmission input shaft?

  Another "trick" is to attach the bellhousing to the motor and assemble the clutch linkage. Then while you try to install the transmission have someone push the clutch pedal down and the let the clutch disc move a little until it slides onto the input shaft.

Make sure the alignment tool slides easily in and out for easier installation.

[Blazin]

I have always done them with the bell housing on the trans, thats how it is done when you put a motor in. We do big rigs the same way, bell housing on trans, those transmissions weigh 1,200 to 1,800 plus lbs.
The trans needs to be in gear, low, or reverse works well as it takes less effort to turn as they are lower gears. When you push it in from the back you will need to spin the output shaft back, and forth to index the splines of the input shaft, and the clutch disk.
Did you replace the pilot bearing / bushing? Is it the correct size?
Is the end of the input shaft boogered up?
Are the splines on the input shaft worn or messed up?

[bake315]

I ended up pulling the clutch assembly back off, and inspecting the grooves on the clutch disk, to make sure there were no burrs or metal filings from manufacture.  Everything seemed okay, but when I reinstalled it, using the alignment tool, I found that I had to continually check that it was moving freely in and out as I was torquing it back down; if I didn't then it would get bound so tightly that it would not come back out.  I figured (incorrectly) that simply leaving the alignment tool in while fitting the pressure plate was sufficient for proper alignment - at least in this case.

Question: Why is the alignment tool designed so that it has a ball and socket on one end that can be popped out?

The trans needs to be in gear, low, or reverse works well as it takes less effort to turn as they are lower gears. When you push it in from the back you will need to spin the output shaft back, and forth to index the splines of the input shaft, and the clutch disk.
Did you replace the pilot bearing / bushing? Is it the correct size?
Is the end of the input shaft boogered up?
Are the splines on the input shaft worn or messed up?

Everything is in good shape shaft/spline wise, and the correct size.  I think putting it in gear is going to help - I hadn't done that.

Thanks guys, I'll let y'all know how it goes.  Here are a couple of pics of the cleaned up bell housing and tranny.

bake315

[VileZambonie]

Did you test fit the clutch disc onto the input shaft?

[bake315]

Well, good news - got 'er all lined up, put it in 1st gear, and walked it right in, easy as you please.  Putting it in gear is what did it.  Once I could feel that the splines were lined up, it was cake.  I should have everything buttoned up in the next couple of evenings.

I'll have a few more pics up here in a bit.

Thanks again!

bake315