The Green Grendel

[campfire]

Yes, Do not crank it in with the bell housing bolts! Literally just try to wiggle the crap out of it while pushing it in. Up down left right. Also helps if you put it in gear and try to turn the output shaft back and forth while pushing and wiggling.

That's the plan. But I want to have the ability to stop the bell housing from rotating so I can focus on just the shaft. The tranny has fallen out of place a number of times, and then I hafta realign the shaft to get it to slide forward again.


It's close to going in, and I know the splines have engaged (can't turn the output shaft anymore). So I'm nearly there. Just need some more fiddle time with it.

 

[campfire]

I always found it'll fight and fight then when it goes it slides right together and makes you think somethings not right.

In this case, when it comes time to engage the block pins I will have a little bit of interference. So I doubt it will accidentally slide right in, I had to push a little bit on the empty bell housing to get it to seat.

 

[campfire]

Each step counts. Good to have things fitting back together, and a contraption to help with the heavy lifting.

David

Yes. This is a game changer. Would be miserable without it.

 

[Kay86K5]

I always found it'll fight and fight then when it goes it slides right together and makes you think somethings not right.

This is exactly what happened with me when installing my NV4500 behind my 8.1 in my crew cab. I fought it for about 3 hours, then out of nowhere...it just slid in to where the bell was right up against the block....for a second I thought, "There is no way it just went in like that!" haha. Installing manual trans just suck all around...no way around it

 

[campfire]

This is exactly what happened with me when installing my NV4500 behind my 8.1 in my crew cab. I fought it for about 3 hours, then out of nowhere...it just slid in to where the bell was right up against the block....for a second I thought, "There is no way it just went in like that!" haha. Installing manual trans just suck all around...no way around it

There is one thing that I found hugely beneficial. When I rebuilt my 1954 M-M tractor, I had the ability to insert 3 bolts into the pressure plate and compress the springs. The loose clutch disk made it exceedingly easy to align the block. Then when I was done I reached in through the access panel shown below and removed the 3 bolts. I found myself wishing for this ability yesterday.

 

[campfire]

Installing manual trans just suck all around...no way around it

I'm still a little staggered by how much larger and heavier this cast-iron gearbox is vs. the aluminum TH400 that came out. I had no problem moving or even carrying the TH400 to its new home. The NV4500 is a very different beast.

 

[Chevy305]

Since there's some resistance to getting the bell housing on the block, separate it from the tranny, bolt it to the block, then slide tranny in.

 

[Kay86K5]

Since there's some resistance to getting the bell housing on the block, separate it from the tranny, bolt it to the block, then slide tranny in.

That's how I installed mine...in the end it was easier. Was a little tricky to slide input shaft in the throwout bearing and not have it come off the clutch fork....but was still easier

 

[campfire]

Since there's some resistance to getting the bell housing on the block, separate it from the tranny, bolt it to the block, then slide tranny in.

Can't. Due to using a modified SM465 bell housing on an NV4500, I hafta install the bolts from the inside of the bell housing. So this unit gets installed as one item.

 

[Kay86K5]

Can't. Due to using a modified SM465 bell housing on an NV4500, I hafta install the bolts from the inside of the bell housing. So this unit gets installed as one item.

Ah, I forgot about that small detail...nevermind

 

[campfire]

Ah, I forgot about that small detail...nevermind

I do consider this a downside to using this bell housing. If I could install my bell housing first, think I would be able to set up my clutch linkage prior to installing the tranny. Then when I have my tranny positioned, with the input shaft engaged, I could release the clutch disc like I did on the tractor job. Obviously trannies are installed without such a feature, but it sure was handy last time.

 

[campfire]

Guess I forgot to upload these shots of test-fitting the tranny a few days ago.







It's much easier to lift with the crane.

Now the tranny jack is safety insurance instead of providing the primary lifting force.

 

[max 02]

Waterfall of chain... that's what it looks like on my phone anyway!

Glad it's working out for you!

 

[F.S.F.W]

Waterfall of chain... that's what it looks like on my phone anyway!

Glad it's working out for you!

I thought he had a NV4500 hanging from his mirror

 

[Big Ray]

He put that cradle in his trunk. That's a big cradle, but obviously it's a bigger trunk. He and I laughed about it for a bit. After we loaded it, we then discussed how many bodies would fit in it.

lol!

I do that every time someone opens their trunk around me...

 

[campfire]

I thought he had a NV4500 hanging from his mirror

It's a very strong and manly mirror.

It's also sitting on the floor instead of hanging where it's supposed to be.

 

[campfire]

Messed with this for another hour tonight. Getting bummed for several reasons.

I did drop it back to the ground and crawl under the truck for a look at the flywheel from several feet back. The clutch is slightly lopsided. Not sure how, but it's just a touch off. So I think my next step is to loosen the pressure plate again and line it up again.



Didn't see any other interference issues.

 

[Bent77]

I usually tighten the pressure plate after I get the bell lined up

 

[78K30]

Messed with this for another hour tonight. Getting bummed for several reasons.

I did drop it back to the ground and crawl under the truck for a look at the flywheel from several feet back. The clutch is slightly lopsided. Not sure how, but it's just a touch off. So I think my next step is to loosen the pressure plate again and line it up again.

View attachment 213278

Didn't see any other interference issues.

For what it's worth I never use a clutch alignment tool when I put them together. I always eyeball it and they go together alright

 

[campfire]

I usually tighten the pressure plate after I get the bell lined up

That's what I would prefer to do, but how can I access the bolts with the tranny already attached to the bell? The clutch fork hole is much too small.