The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 4 speed question

My truck is a 1953 3100 pick up. It has the 4 speed transmission with floor gearshift. When pulling the engine out of the vehicle I was having a difficult time getting the engine and tranny out as one unit even after removing the transmission support cross-member. I eventually just unbolted the tranny and dropped it separately and the engine came right out. I would like to install the transmission on the engine and put it back in the truck as a unit if possible ,but don`t want a fight getting it in. From what information I have found so far it looks like the three speed engine and trannys go right in no problem,anyone have advise on the 4 speed?

You might be able to get the engine/trans assembly installed together if you take the top cover off the transmission, but it's much simpler to install the engine and bellhousing as a unit and then put the transmission in. An engine lift through an open door or a 4 X 4 timber across both window openings and a cable come-along makes it a simple job to lift it into place. Removing the crossmember was a huge mistake, as it allows the frame rails to spread out. The crossmember is a structural brace for the rear spring mounts.
Jerry

Thank you. I will get that transmission brace re-bolted back in pronto!

I think there might be a misunderstanding on which crossmember you're each talking about. Removing the one rear of the transmission that's bolted to the frame shouldn't be a problem. There's been a lot of discussion in the forums that many trucks don't even have those crossmembers, and a belief by many they're not needed.

Some people try to remove the crossmember where the rear motor mounts attach, which is riveted in. That's the one that allows the frame to distort. Removing the one further back that's bolted in is not a problem.
Jerry

GM/Chevrolet-Truck considered that cross-member at the rear of the transmission to be necessary up through the 1953 light (3100) trucks (for all transmissions)

The cross-member at the rear of the engine was changed in 1954 Chevrolet Light Trucks. That change allowed the elimination of a transmission rear-cross member in 1954, except with the Hydra-Matic transmission option.

I installed my 261 first and then used a transmission jack with pitch-yaw-roll adjustments. It was super easy, even for me.

With the above, it's way too easy to first install the motor and then the gearbox. I use a engine hoist thru the passenger door, bolted to the top of the gearbox to raise or lower it, from/to the floor.

We talked about that last year and decided that trucks up to including 53 with enclosed driveshaft (3100) had the rear crossmember from the factory, open driveshafts ie 3600 and above didn't.