The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline For those that have pulled your stock 3-sp tranny

I need to replace the clutch on my '53 3100 with the stock 3-sp. The manual states "Remove the transmission through the opening in the body floor". As far as ways to accomplish this, I'm just looking for tips and possible photos from those who have done this. Thanks.

The way I pulled my '50 3spd(more than once) was to get the truck high as I could on jack stands, disconnected all the shift lingage(column), disconnect the bell torque tube coupling, than wrapped a sling around the trans supported by a short length 2x4 spanning the transmision opening. Unbolted the trans, wiggled it out,(you may have to shift the torque tube a little, but it'll take it without damage). Once free and supported by the sling, slide a jack under it and take the weight off the sling and 2x4.Slide out the 2x4 and lower the trans. Sounds long winded, but it worked for me.

Drew's technique looks good.

One additional suggestion is to cut a piece of 2x4 that is the side-to-side width of the frame rails at the torque-tube. After disconnecting the u-joint at the end of the torque-tube, push the u-joint back into the torque-tube and push up the torque-tube. Then, place the 2x4 under the torque-tube and between the frame rails. This gets the torque-tube completely and safely out of your work area.

Excellent suggestions...thanks!

...Woody...

...Denny...


I have not needed to remove mine yet

I could see using the hoist on the four speed transmission like Denny did.
The three speed transmissions aren't that heavy like a 4 speed.
If you want to use a sling as a handle,pull the transmission back then lift it out.


Tim

Denny's apparatus is holding/lifting a 4-speed; and, Woody's apparatus looks like it is attached to something larger than a 3-speed.

Those apparatuses might also be useful with a much lighter 3-speed (if they are readily available) but they seem like overkill?

Good info
I'll label my book marks 4 speed.

Links may not be usefull to magfarmer51

I removed mine and installed a T-5 in my 46 1/2 ton, the way I did mine was when I got everything unbolted (torque tube, crossmember, master cylinder bracket, e-brake bracket) what I did was slide a 4x4 thru the windows of the truck (with the passenger door open) and used a come along and cranked it right up thru the floor and swung it right out thru the passenger side

Anybody use a cherry picker?

In the opinion of this aging man, I still think a cherry picker would be overkill when removing a stock 3-speed transmission.

If you have the floor section removed get a good hold of it, slide it back and turn it a little to the right and up and out thru the floor. You can have an extra hand or two in the drivers side to help lift it out if needed. have an old rug on the passenger side floor to set it on while you get out of the truck to get another grip. Its not to bad if you take your time.

Why take the trans completely out of the truck,if you are only replacing the clutch?
Just slide it back on a floor jack far enough to disengage the input shaft from the clutch disc and pressure plate!
regards
steve sr.

Good point Steve, based on what I read in the shop manual I wasn't sure if it needed to be completely removed to access the clutch or just slide it back as you mentioned. We've had a stretch of single digit temps here so I haven't started yet. Thanks for all the comments!

How's this for a thought, get some 6-8 inch long bolts or threaded rod. Take the two bolts on the top of tranmission out and replace with the threaded rod/longer bolts. Then remove the bottom bolts and slide transmission back out of the way, replace the clutch and slide transmission back in place. You can always place a 2x4 under the back of transmission to help support it while changing the clutch.

I could never figure how it would get through the floor. So I undid everything and took out the crossmember (4 bolts per end) and dropped the trans down. Don't know if its a better way but it worked for me.

Sedgewick,both my 1951's have five bolts per side of the crossmember.The fifth bolt goes through the bottom of the frame rail on each side.



Tim

??? My transmission crossmember was riveted in eliminating that option but I had no problem lifting mine up thru the floor opening. The guide pins (bolts without heads)should only be long enough to slip out of the pilot bushing IMO.

Boy, you torque tube guys have a hard road to go just to remove a trans! Glad I have an open driveline. I think it took me, maybe 20 minutes to get mine on the ground.

three speeds torque tube are pretty easy by your self, id lower it on a jack n slide it out on cardboard, then to put it in, crank your floor jack up almost level with the floor pan, come through passenger door, set it on sideways a lil bit, have someone lower it till you can get it on your guide bolts. ( dont forget the headless guide bolts!), i did a 3 speed this way by my self and the 4 speed this way with a helper.

note, the 55 up 3 speeds ( sm318 and sm319s) are longer and i found it easier to drag it underneath, place a jack next to it, come in from the passenger door, and lift it onto the jack through your floor board, then have someone jack while you guide it.