I've tried for several days to mate the engine to the transmission with no success. The last inch or so where the transmission shaft goes into the pilot bearing won't slide in. The pilot bearing in the crank has not been changed and the same clutch assembly was re-installed using the proper alignment tool. I've tried all the different angles and tips on the discussion board. Last time I did this was on a bare frame, and even then I was surprised how difficult it was to align and join them. I plan on loosening the transmission from its' mount just enough to slide it back far enough to be able to attach the engine to the frame at the mounts, and then slide the transmission forward into place rather then sliding the engine into the transmission. That is the method I used previously on a '67 bare frame with success. As usual, however, any addition suggestions are always appreciated.
-
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Rob,
Over the years, I've found it much easier to assemble the transmission and clutch housing first, then mate the engine to that assembly. With the clutch housing attached to the engine, you have to line up several different things at the same time but with the transmission and clutch housing assembled as one unit, most of the hard work is already done and all that remains to align at that point is the imput shaft/disk and the dowell pins on the block. It eliminates the fight trying to keep the throwout bearing in place because if installed with the clutch housing, it can't move or become unhooked from the fork. MUCH easier and you then know for 100% sure the TO bearing is installed properly in the TO arm. Give it a try.
On the last inch, I've have, at times, hooked up the clutch linkage and depressed the clutch pedal to release pressure on the disk which allows it to move and recenter itself so the end of the input shaft enters the pilot bushing correctly. At that point, the transmission usually falls into place easily. -
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Actually, the bellhousing is attached to the transmission already. I'll try to depress the clutch fork as you suggested. (I haven't had any success trying to pull the two together with bolts either) Thanks...Comment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Rob,
The problem is generally a slight alignment problem with the end of the input shaft trying to enter the pilot bushing. Even with the use of a line up shaft to align the disc, there is always a slight misalignment and usually just enough to prevent the shaft from entering the bushing on dead center. When you put a line up shaft in the pilot bushing, you probably noticed that you can wobble it around quite a bit which means if you let the weight of the clutch hang on that shaft while tightening the pressure plate bolts, the disc probably isn't really centered.
Using a few long bolts through the clutch housing as guide pins, you should be able to release pressure on the disk just enough to allow movement and the unit should slip together. Be SURE you never use the long guide bolts to pull the assembly together as damage is dertain to occur. Once it's in within an inch or less, releasing the clutch should allow it to fall together. Good luck...Comment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Don't try to pull it together with the bolts! That's a sure fire way to break off one of the ears on the transmission case.
What kind of alignment tool did you use? Was it a plastic one that comes with most clutch kits? They do not do a good job of holding the disc in place, you should use an old input shaft instead. I had this exact problem when reinstalling the transmission in my '69. The plastic alignment tool would bend under the weight of the disc, and there would be just enough misalignment that the tip of the input shaft would not line up with the pilot bushing. Wayne Womble loaned me an old input shaft and I realigned the clutch using it. The transmission slid right into place the first try.
ShannonComment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Take a deep breath and get an assistant.
When I did it I had the bellhousing mounted on the motor.Make sure the throw out bearing and fork are in place.Attach the clutch linkage.Have the motor supported with a jack so that you can raise or lower the motor to get the perfect angle to mate up to the trans. Have the rear trans mount out and support the weight of the trans by laying under the car and using your muscles to support the trans when your up to the last inch or so have your asistant depress the clutch and as your slightley moving the trans around with foward force youll find the sweat spot and it will slide in.
I just did this for a freind on sunday who had been trying for days to get his together and all I did was remove his trans jack and I installed my long bolts with there heads cut off in the bottom 2 holes as a guide I raised his motor just a tad,told him to depress the clutch and slid it in place in all of about 2 secounds(I definatley got luckey with it)But I feel his problem was his motor was too low and the tail of his trans would not drop down enough because of the trans mount and also because he was using a trans jack he could not finess it into place.
Good Luck And I understand how frustrating it is not to be able to conect them I say that from exspereance.Comment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
I do it the same way as Michael, i.e., get everything lined up and inserted until the last 1 to 1.5" (the input shaft into the pilot bushing), and have a helper depress the clutch. Trans always slides in place like a hot knife thru butter. But then I always put the trans in last. I have never tried putting the engine/ bellhousing into a previously installed transmission. Always felt as though this would not give the degree of motion I wanted to do a proper line-up of the components. I know others who have, but I guess I am too old and set in my ways to try it. I installed a BW T-5 into my '83 S-10 Blazer last weekend (had to rebuild it after 250k miles). Did it as described above.
MikeComment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
I removed the clurch cross-shaft and linkage before removing the engine. I didn't realize I could re-connect it with the engine not being lined up with the frame as it will be after being connected to the transmission.Comment
-
Re: '66 ENGINE INSTALLATION/TRANSMISSION MATING
Rob in order to connect the two you have to have the motor in the correct posistion anyways.Try what I have suggested above.Your motor should be down in its motor mounts allready and the rear of the motor supported in some way so that its not putting the distibutor into the firewall.
Give us an updateComment
Comment