The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What am I doing wrong?

Earlier today I went to the U-Pull It and tried to remove a hydraulic bellhousing from a '61 truck 235. I ran into the same problem that I ran into the last time I tried to separate the bellhousing from a stovebolt six... how to you remove the clutch and pressure plate from a seized engine? Last time, I disconnected the connecting rods and spun the crank by hand. There has to be an easier way... Anyone care to shed some light?

Thanks,
Ed

hello ed. i remember when this question was asked before. i will take a shot at it , but there are a few 'ifs' along the way. remove the spark plugs and sqirt some liquid wrench to soak the pistons. then if you can, raise the right rear wheel off the ground just high enough to be able to spin it with your hands. place the shifter into high gear and try to spin the wheel. if it budges a little, spin it back and forth over and over again.it might spin a little more each time you bump it against the stuck engine. sending this torque through the driveline might be enough to turn over the stuck engine. oh. and be sure to use blocks on the other wheels and a jack stand to support the truck.even if this method moves the engine one turn, it will be enough to remove the clutch. hope this helps, please let us know, and good luck.

There is a easier way,I ran into the same problem removing a bellhousing from a 41 that sat since the fifties. All you need is a 9/16 swivel socket and a extension,thats what I used to get to the bolts that I could not get fron the inspection cover area. Put the socket on the bolt and bring the extension out the trans hole and you should be able to loosen the bolts. Jeff

Jeff, the clutch on my 261 is 11", and I couldn't get a gnat between the clutch bolts and the bellhousing. 216's had more room in there.

"Hydraulic Bellhousing"??? The clutch arm and then the slave can't be just moved to another older type housing and bolt on using same pivot and some hole allready there? B/house all diff? Can't Imagine GM would make all new for a couple of years before the change to 230 engines in 63!
Is this engine out of truck? Must be super pain in not! I removed the little ispecton cover at top of housing and used a long estension and swivel sockets, not the u-joint and socket, the one-pc sockets that swivel are shorter. You can also go thru the slot some from the throw-out arm. Smaller clutch would be helpful for sure.

I have the old hydraulic bellhousing off the 261 I got, it has the fork on the right hand side with a slave cylinder mounted to it. It's completely differant than the mechanical bellhousing. So is the fork, it is designed to be pushed rather than pulled.

4onthefloor is correct. it appears to be a significantly different bellhousing.

on my way home from work, i'm heading over to sears hardware to buy a set of 3/8-drive swivel sockets. i'm sure this wont be the only time i use them...

Did you try to turn the motor with a pry bar,if the motor is still covered by the hood and no water has been in it you might be able to bust it loose.

Take out the spark plugs, that will make it easier to turn.