Help on putting back transmission.
 

Hi, I need some help here.

I replaced the clutch myself, and everything went well until I tried to put the transmission back in.
I'm working alone on jack stands and using a pump jack to lift the transmission.
I removed the shifter to give me more room to maneuver and backed up the engine to better align it.
However, the transmission is still about half an inch away from fully seating, and I'm stuck.

Does anyone know the trick to get it in place? Any help would be appreciated!

Wiggle it vertically and horizontally. Twist the output flange to align the splines with the clutch. Eventually it'll go in. Mounting transmissions can be a real bitch

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Where is ol @Ultramaroon when he is needed. Most likely sitting on his butt, sipping iced tea - :iono:

When you say you "backed up" the engine, did you mean that you "lifted" the back of the engine?

If not, @Ultramaroon would suggest that you use a strap and lift the back of the engine - I think.

I remember, back in the day (actually it was at night), a cold winter night, with snow blowing both ways, on a gravel drive, I was trying to replace the transmission in my 1937 Chev pickup, ........ oh, I think I've told this story before - :bonk:

when i was putting my transmission back in after a clutch job, i just laid on my back, supported the transmission with both arms at the back, and both legs by the front (where it connects to the engine), and just randomly shook completely for several seconds. After ~10s, it fully slid in. It wasn't pretty and felt pretty awkward in front of my friends but it worked.


Its pretty tight tolerances so you really just have to shake it until everything lines up right.

I lifted the front of the engine. Maybe I am doiing wrong.

You are saying just the opposite, lift the back of the engine.
I will try again tomorrow morning.

Good thing is that replaced a gym work out day.

If you're within 1/2 inch and the gap from the engine to transmission is equal all the way around, you're in the clutch spline. I've never had mine go completely together. I've always had to GENTLY pull it up with the bolts.

I've had trans off and on 3 times and trans never fit flush with engine. I always got about 1/2" gap all around and gently tightened two bolts by hand on either side to secure it.

I've done my transmission 4 times. The only time it took a ton of effort was when we didn't properly support the engine.

These days, I usually support the engine on the oil pan gently with a floor jack and few towels on a short piece of 2x4. If you don't support the front of the engine in this way (or similar on the water pump, or jack straps over top: https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135100), you'll really have to fight to get the transmission aligned.

I never had a significant gap when I did it this way. The two assemblies came together with just a bit of light between them (probably 1/4" or less - see picture for actual achieved gap prior to tightening any bolts).

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When you remove the transmission, the engine wants to lean forward over the subframe motor mounts. This causes the rear of the engine to be angled up to the sky. To counteract this, you need to support the weight of the FRONT of the engine. Preferably, you set-up and support the engine BEFORE you remove the transmission, so it preserves the alignment. That will get you straight-and-true to align the transmission back in.

• The transmission actually holds some of the weight of the engine (through the trans mount - if you ever look up this part on the TRD website, notice that they call it the rear motor mount).

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If you're straight-and-true, but still having trouble getting the input shaft to engage with the flywheel: put the transmission into gear and stick the driveshaft back on. Give the shaft a little twist as you push in to get the splines aligned.

Thanks to all your comments, I succeeded today with the transmission. Here are some lessons learned:

1 - I asked for help from a friend. Working alone in a very tight space on jack stands was brutal.
2 - I got the Low Transmission Jack from Harbor Freight for $125 plus tax (link below). It was very handy for the work since the transmission was much heavier than expected.
3- Supported the front of engine.
4 - With everything in place and the transmission on the jack, I began to kick it from the back, closing the gap enough to "gently" adjust the bolts, as one post mentioned.

Thanks again to everyone for the comments. The garage is a mess, but the transmission is in place!


https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb...BoCedwQAvD_BwE

Good stuff! Glad you got it.