The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Installing a 4 spd trans with the engine out

So I am trying to install my 4 spd transmission and I am struggling. Got it dropped in through the floor. But I am struggling to get it lined up so that I can Bolt the U-joint to the trans. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I still have the trans hooked up to the Cherry picker through the passenger door. Only need 4 more hands that all


Thanks guys

Sorry to hear you are having issues. I have slid my SM420 under the truck and then with a cherry picker also thru the passenger door, thru the hole in the floor, pick up the gearbox and push it right into place and bolted it to the motor. Are you connecting a closed or open driveline to the gearbox? Is your gearbox on the floor, waiting to be picked up? or are you trying to lower it down thru the hole in the floor?

You're going about it backwards. Get the engine and bell housing bolted firmly to the mounts, then install the trans. The driveline is the last thing that gets installed, particularly if it's the original torque tube. Trying to get the engine, bell housing, and rear motor mounts coupled up wuth the transmission and driveline connected is going to increase your vocablary of expletives exponentially.
Jerry

Brian,
After you follow Hot Rod Lincoln's suggestion, go to the hardware store and get two of same thread bolts but with a shank and longer. Use a hacksaw to take the heads off of them and smooth them out with file, sandpaper or grinder. Make a notch in the top for a flathead screwdriver. Install these into the bellhousing to use as Guide pins. That will help you install the transmission. If I remember correctly, one side of the 4 Speed transmission has a hump in the casting, and will require a shorter Guide pin. You could try to place the guide pins in a different configurations, horizontally, diagonally, what may work best for you. I used the top two horizontal bellhousing threaded holes with a shorter guide pin on one side.

Ok so my question is this. Install engine first. Then Trans. When installing trans wont the torque tube be in the way of the trans? I figured that the reverse of removal..... engine then trans would be the way to reinstall. I am just having trouble seeing the trans go in with the motor mounted?


Thanks guys I appreciate all the help

The front section of the torque tube slides back after you loosen the collar, providing the room you need to install the transmission. The transmission is supported by the engine/bell housing, so without the engine installed, you'd have to support the transmission some other way. And engine installation would be much more difficult with the transmission in place because you'd be trying to line up two moving objects.

The cross member is removable to allow easier positioning of trans. 4 bolts on each side and 1 in the bottom at the frame rail at each side. Remove bolts and crossmember slides back and out of the way or remove it all together. Tie the torque tube up to the upper frame crossmember to hold it out of the way while you get trans positioned. I don't know, maybe the hard way to do it but it worked for me.

The guide pine are 1/2” x 13 threads.

Ed

I am curious if an alignment tool was used prior to tightening the pressure plate? As a teen I recall lifting a 4 speed into place off my chest in a gravel driveway and the pilot pin hanging up before going into the bushing. I think l lubed it and it finally went in. I don't think I'm up to that technique today.

Ok, l missed that the engine was not installed. I've also installed a trans and engine as a unit but preassembled, not from the underside. I like the alignment pins idea.

Thanks to everyone's replies. Twin Jimmy's my Cross member is Riveted in so no option there. Hotrod Lincoln has given me all the tips needed to get this done. I have a couple of friends coming over this after noon to get this installed and then it is off to the races....

Thanks again to everyone, this is only one of the reasons that I love this place. Great People, Great Help and good times.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Well I don't know how one person can do this!! Twin Jimmy I was Wrong! I was thinking you were referring to the cross member at the back of the engine. The cross member at the back of the trans is bolted in. It was removed to make room. The tans is IN. The truck will be towed to it new temporary home. Until it gets loaded up for the trip out to COLORADO. Not sure exactly when that is happening.

I want to thank you all for your replies. I want to send a special Thank you to Jerry as he was extra helpful off line.

This is a great place full of great people!

Thank you to John and Peg I want you to know that you are appreciated!

Glad you got it done. How about a little show with the tell?