67 Transmission installation Problems

[Ralph P.]

Having big problems getting transmission installed from the bottom.... Yes, I do understand those who recommend pulling engine ...and I'm about to agree it's the only way... As a last resort, has anyone mated bellhousing and transmission ..THEN installed both as a unit ?

[Gary S.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Ralph,
It has been over ten years since I did this on my 66 L79 but I recall having to rotate the transmission, pulling it all the way back and then it fit in. From memory, I tried for quite a while before I found the rotation method.

[Gary P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Ralph.
You also have to lower the back of the engine, unbolt exhaust, not all the way, lower engine about two or three inches, make sure the dist. does not hit fire wall. and your good to go.

[Ralph P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Been there--done that....still can't get the transmission mated...Archives full of this type issue...

[Edward J.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Ralph, Are You Having A Problem With Lining Up The Trans. Splines Into The Clutch, Or Putting The Trans. Into The Tunnel Area?

[Joel T.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Been there--done that....still can't get the transmission mated...Archives full of this type issue...

Ralph;

This can be done and is not all that difficult. If you have that fiberglass insulation heat shield up there... take it out.

You need to have the clutch assembly in place on the flywheel and need the bell housing installed on the back of engine. Make sure you have the clutch plate aligned using a pilot tool.

When you lift the transmission up I typically rotate it 90 degrees so that the shifter studs face down. I also drop the back of the engine down an inch or three...

If you do all this, you should be able to lift the tranny into position and have the input shaft clear the bell housing. Once that input shaft clears the bell housing you are home free.

Good luck,
Joel

[Ralph P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Thanks, Joel ( & Ed )..... Haven't tried w/o the tunnel insulation...can this be installed with transmission in place? Seems very little clearance on top ....

[Mike G.]

A recommendation often given is to

unbolt the bell housing, and shift it down enough to get the input shaft into the hole.

The other handy hint: if you then can't get the tranny to seat all the way home (hangs up with <1 inch to go), have a helper depress the clutch while you push.

[Joel T.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Thanks, Joel ( & Ed )..... Haven't tried w/o the tunnel insulation...can this be installed with transmission in place? Seems very little clearance on top ....

Ralph;

Yep, you can reinstall the insulation with the tranny in place.. Clearance is tight but it will go in there. This is the first thing you reinstall after the unit is up there. Believe it or not I could never get the tranny installed with the insulation in place.. that extra 1/8" I guess makes a big difference.. and I would up damaging the insulation to boot!

Have fun!

Joel

[Ralph P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Thanks, Joel... I'll give it another try w/o the insulation ! At least I've discovered you can make virtually undetectable repairs to the tunnel insulation with common A/C Aluminum duct tape...

[Albert P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Just finished installing mine w/ insulation installed with no damage;
1- lift trans tail onto its support with input shaft towards floor
2- arrange the unbolted bellhousing to allow the shaft to be inside it
3- lift the trans, with the bell housing dangling from the input shaft, up and push toward rear of car
4- bolt-up the bellhousing to the engine while supporting the trans weight
5-I put 2 guide pins, approx 3" long, into the two right hand side trans mounting bolt positions on the bell housing, upper and lower
6- using a jack/jacks will help get trans squarely onto pins; push trans forward with clutch released and it will go in with a little force

[Joel T.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Just finished installing mine w/ insulation installed with no damage;
1- lift trans tail onto its support with input shaft towards floor
2- arrange the unbolted bellhousing to allow the shaft to be inside it
3- lift the trans, with the bell housing dangling from the input shaft, up and push toward rear of car
4- bolt-up the bellhousing to the engine while supporting the trans weight
5-I put 2 guide pins, approx 3" long, into the two right hand side trans mounting bolt positions on the bell housing, upper and lower
6- using a jack/jacks will help get trans squarely onto pins; push trans forward with clutch released and it will go in with a little force

Albert;

Great idea, I will try it your way next time around!

Thanks!

Joel

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

Having big problems getting transmission installed from the bottom.... Yes, I do understand those who recommend pulling engine ...and I'm about to agree it's the only way... As a last resort, has anyone mated bellhousing and transmission ..THEN installed both as a unit ?

Ralph-----


If you think that installing the transmission is difficult the way you've been doing it, try doing it with the bellhousing installed on the transmission as a unit. Then you'll find out what doing something difficult is REALLY like. I would say it would be virtually impossible, if not absolutely impossible, to install the transmission with the bellhousing attached.

Use the "guide pin" method that has been described and it should be a lot easier.

One other VERY IMPORTANT tip: you ABSOLUTELY MUST make sure that the transmission is FULLY seated on the bellhousing prior to installing and torquing the transmission-to-bellhousing bolts. You MUST NOT ATTEMPT to "pull in" the transmission using the attaching bolts. Ever see a Muncie or T-10 with a broken-off or welded-back-on mounting ear? That's how they got that way.

[Ralph P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

As always, thanks for the excellent help ! I assumed having a lift would simplify this procedure.... not, so far. Anyone have a recommendation on a good transmission jack ?

[Albert P.]

Re: 67 Transmission installation Problems

I just used a regular hydraulic car jack carefully postioned under the trans.