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| | | Forums66 Topics128,029 Posts1,055,417 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | We pulled the 235 and 4-speed tranny as one unit last Fall. The radiator cross frame had been cut by a previous owner but we still had to tilt it a lot. The tranny was difficult to get past the firewall.
How hard is it to install the tranny after the new engine is bolted down? I know the 4-speed is really heavy but is it still easier? Thanks. 1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 46 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 46 | WITH AT LEAST AN EXTRA OR MAYBE TWO PR OF EXTRA HANDS AN HOUR OR SO WITH A FLOOR JACK. I JUST DID MY 53 1/2 TON WHEN I CONVERTED TO AN OPEN DRIVE LINE AND IT WASN'T BAD. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 188 Member | | Member Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 188 | Wally, I haven't re-installed yet but when I pulled my SM420. I used a cherry picker engine hoist into the cab with the transmission floor cover removed. Worked great! Good Luck | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | I like to do it differantly- I pull the floor cover and seat cushion and use an engine hoist to put it in from the top. It's a one man job that way. A good thing to do is get some studs for the top bolt holes on the bellhousing to use to guide the transmission on, it makes alignment much easier.
(Woo! simulpost with daves. Sorry!)
Paint & Body Shop moderator A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I always have taken the transmission off before removing the engine; and, I put the engine in by itself before attaching the transmission. The engine hoist ideas given above sound very good. I have used a floor jack or an ex-marine to lift the 4-speed into position (a 3-speed is a toy, by comparison).
Tim | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 | If no hoist is available, you can get a strong buddy to help lift it into place using a chain/rope to lift while sitting on the seat. Have one guy below(who trusts the person lifting above). Use the long bolts(two) with the heads cut off for guide bolts. cut flat spots or slots in the ends to help remove them once the tranny is in place and the other two bolts are holding it in place.
There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us. - - Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | I'm sure Stevejumpr can one-arm bench press an SM420! But maybe I'll use the hoist. Thanks for the advice!
The Shop Manual tells you to remove the engine/clutch/tranny unit in one piece and to install it the same way. Of course, this is the manual which also tells you to put the engine/clutch/tranny unit on an engine stand. (Huh?) They had different equipment and methods in those days. 1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | If you have any old 235 head bolts those are perfect for guides, they have the same threads and they are long.
Paint & Body Shop moderator A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | |
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