Can't Get Transmission Back In

[hamlet]

Well, restoration is finally done and it's time to put this thing in. Just spent an hour trying to lo avail. What are the tips around here for installing a transmission in a car on jack stands?

[So Cal Mark]

did you use a clutch alignment tool?

[hamlet]

Yes, but I'm not even that far. Just getting the thing into the trans tunnel is TOUGH. The bell housing constantly impedes.

[So Cal Mark]

raise the front of the motor, and twist the trans. You can rotate it back upright once it clears the tunnel

[80124FI]

A trick I use to get any transmission in is steel cable. I feed a bent piece of steel cable through the holes one the engine block and then to the transmission so it is doubled and makes a loop ... then I put a big bolt in the loop so it doesn't pull back out ... that way I could lift the transmission with a jack and pull the cable to draw it straight into the aligning pegs

the past few days I have removed my transmission, replaced it with one from ebay ... found out I bought junk and had to switch back ... the lift and installation took about 25 minutes the last time

also make sure the shifter isn't touching anything or even better, take the shift tower off ... make sure the metal plate between the block and bellhousing hasn't turned and blocked you and if you did it with the starter still in place make sure it didn't shift to a position to block you

[80124FI]

oh shucks ... I saw Wednesday and thought that was today ... sorry about that

I now feel stupid

[hamlet]

You feel stupid? I must be missing something.

Great advice. I will get a steel cable tonight. That's a clever idea.

[80124FI]

I felt stupid then felt stupid again ... I thought I read it was a post from yesterday so I replied ... then I read the "member since" date of the post before me and thought that was the date this was posted ... I got really confused but I see it is a current topic

I like using steel cable because I do almost everything on jack stands while laying on the ground and that gives me the ability to hold the bellhousing up and draw it in while I am near the back of the transmission lifting it to a level position ... it makes me a little less nervous about slipping and dropping the transmission too

an extra person to assist would be great too but I usually don't have that option

I hope it goes well ... good luck

[hamlet]

Got it in!

The steel cable trick was pretty good, but didn't get me all the way. I ended up putting the transmission on top of me and using my knees to push the bell housing up, while I bench pressed the heaver rear end of the transmission up. It was easier to manipulate the bell housing around the exhaust and transmission tunnel.

One question, though -- I got the input shaft in, I believe and got the splines on the clitch, but there was still about a centimeter of space between the transmission and the engine, so I used the bell housing bolts to draw it in completely. Is this bad?

[htchevyii]

If it was aligned OK and went pretty easy is should be fine. If it isn't aligned correctly and you force it, you could damage the clutch or even crack the bell housing.

[hamlet]

The bolts drew the transmission in pretty easily. Hopefully as easily as you're thinking. I suspect it was because the transmission was jacked up but the engine was still slightly tilted, and it made it difficult to align, though I bet when the bolts where tightened it evened everything out... I hope.

[evertonspider]

can any one tell me if 1.8 or 2.0 spider fly wheel clutches or starter motors are interchangeable thankyou

[vandor]

Yes, they are.

[lanciahf]

Yes and no, early 1800 flywheels use 10mm bolts instead of 12mm of the later years.

[evertonspider]

can any one tell me if 1.8 or 2.0 spider fly wheel clutches or starter motors are interchangeable thankyou