Tranny Install Questions- PLEASE HELP

[71 BRNCO]

We pulled my transmission and transfercase in order to replace a bad throw out bearing on my stock 3 speed. Everything came out easily, and clipped on the new bearing to the clutch fork. Easy enough.

Now we have tried for hours to get the tranny back mated up to the clutch assembly. We can get the input shaft through the throw out bearing but it won't go any further. shaking the hell out of this thing, trying to spin the spline it just won't go in. What could we be missing with this install. I can't imagine it would be that difficult.

I have now seperated the the tranny from the t case to make lighter and easier and again it just will not slide in.

Are there secrets or trick or tips to get this thing in??? Please help

 

[Apogee]

Make sure that your clutch disc is aligned with your pilot bushing...it should be assuming you never pushed in the clutch while the tranny was out. If it isn't, an old input shaft or alignment tool will get you all lined backup.

In my experience, without a transmission jack, it's all about patience. Take your time...line it up...push it in. If it doesn't go then try to wiggle, shimy, hold your breath...whatever works. If it still doesn't go, fall back, regroup, and try it all over again. When everything is lined up it will slide right in and be stupid easy. You'll wonder what the problem was. Just be thankful you're wrestling with a light little three speed...my NV4500 is a bear with a 205 dangling off of it.

 

[71 BRNCO]

thank you for the response. I am going to get an alignment tool. i never touched the clutch but with all the pushing pulling and wiggling who knows it might be out of alignment. The two spring clips on the bearing are not very tight anymore after all the in and out. Is the throw out bearing bad now or should I tighten up the best I can on those clips. i don't want to have to pull this all apart again to fix somethign dumb.

 

[swa0330]

You need to slide it in and spin the tranny shaft at the same time. I am guessing that you know that though. You have to go in very much on the same "plane" as the clutch. No tilt to the tranny. it is really tough. I highly recommend that you put the bellhousing onto the tranny and also the clutchfork. Then, install that assembly because all you have to do it get proper alignment to the clutch. I really hope that the tranny and t-cse will go back together properly. When you separate them, the tranny has two shafts that can pull apart. After that happens, you are in "f.ckedville". Good luck

 

[NC-Fordguy]

A Little trick I like to use(Of course make sure your clutch is lined up) is to grab a couple Long bolts from the hardware store that are the same size as the bolts that join the tranny to the bell housing. Cut the heads off the bolts and thread the bolts in finger tight. Now you have something that will support the tranny as you install. Once you have the tranny in place correctley, then install the upper bolts and replace one at a time the headless ones.

Ed

 

[Apogee]

Not that I've ever done this%) ...but make sure the tranny (and/or t-case if married) is in gear so that when you spin the output, the input spins with it. Funny how you can miss the obvious when an NV4500/205 is sitting on your chest and your arms are shaking.

I'll second the recommendation to use studs for alignment...just make sure they're not too long that you can't one, line up on them, or two, get them out afterwards.