manual trans install

[cegusman]

How does everyone who has installed a sm465 do it. Did they mount the bell housing to the motor first then the trans to the bell housing or bolt the bell housing to the trans first then install.

I have done it twice now with mounting the bell housing to the motor first, but it has always been a bitch. First time I tried for 1 hour with no luck. The next day it went right in no fuss 1st try. The second time I had to fight it for 20-30 mins or so. Problem is getting the trans imput shaft to line up just perfect to go through the clutch and then just right again for the piloit bushing.

 

[Randy92782]

Bellhousing to trans to motor first time. Second time bellhousing to motor then tranny to bellhousing and i will never do the latter again. Seemed much more difficult to get everything lined up.

 

[ChefBear]

Same

We just did mine about a month ago and did the bellhousing on the motor, it was a bitch. When I was a kid I did the bellhousing on the trans by my self and it went right in.

Problem we had was where the transmission fits into the bellhousing was really tight.

 

[85burb4x4]

I left the bellhousing attatched to the transmission and when I got it close enough I used 3 to 4 really long bolts going thru the bellousing and in to the block to help things line up right. Also double check the bolts that secure the bellhousing to the transmission, if they are loose it can cause problems. Mine were at one point in time and the tranny got off center a bit and that ruined the input shaft, output shaft and the pocket bearing they ride in.

 

[kennyw]

Wow, small world... another gold bar local.

I've always put the bellhousing on the motor first. Sometimes it goes smooth, other times it's been a bitch. It always comes down to using the clutch alignment tool before the install for me. Luckily I've held onto one of the plastic ones that came with a new clutch kit a few years back so it's always easy now.

 

[MTMike]

Bellhousing to trans first, then to motor is how I did it. Much easier to get the release fork and TOB set up right. Plus I had to modify my hydraulic bell to work with the 1970 SM465

 

[Randy92782]

Bellhousing to trans first, then to motor is how I did it. Much easier to get the release fork and TOB set up right. Plus I had to modify my hydraulic bell to work with the 1970 SM465

i forgot about the fork. Yeah that was a PITA for me

 

[cabledawg]

BH to trans then to the engine. I'll use the long bolts to line it up and when its within a half inch or so it'll get hung up (usually the pilot bearing). So I'll support the trans well and bump the engine. Seats everything first time. Last time I had to change a clutch, I was done in less than three hours.

 

[Randy92782]

BH to trans then to the engine. I'll use the long bolts to line it up and when its within a half inch or so it'll get hung up (usually the pilot bearing). So I'll support the trans well and bump the engine. Seats everything first time. Last time I had to change a clutch, I was done in less than three hours.

Exactly the way i do it. I always grease my pilot too to help it slide in

 

[toomany]

Depending on what I'm working on, I usually do the bellhousing to the trans first. But if it's a light trans (T5), then I do the bellhousing to the motor. Then bench press the trans in. I also use the long bolt trick, works with autos just as well.

 

[Ronnie4wd]

I always do the bellhousing to the trans first.
Works every time.
It is all about centering the clutch

 

[cegusman]

cool. guess i will try it with the bell housing to the trans first.

 

[tRustyK5]

I do the bell on the engine, then tranny install. I use long studs through the four bolt holes between tranny and bell to help keep it aligned. With the tranny in 3rd or 4th I can spin the output of the tranny a little at a time to get the splines to align...the pilot part usually just requires a little wiggle.

Rene