Argh! (Tranny question)

[gregb1]

Sorry guys for the newbie question. I've replaced the clutch and am trying to get the transmission back on. I only have 1.5" left and cant seem to make the connection. I have lined up everything by putting the longer bolts between the tranny and engine (which I would think would verify that it is aligned) but it just wont go. Is there a better way to get that last little bit in?

Thanks

[projectRDM]

Keep rotating it to line up the input shaft, if the disc is aligned it will eventually find it's place and slide in. Also make sure the angle is right so you're not trying to go in with the shaft tweaked.

[dct223]

this is how ive been doing it... call up a friend to make it easier..

put the drive shaft in the tranny... one person turn the drive shaft, while the other person rotates the transmission, and the tranny should slide and meet up with the block...

[contranication]

Also pull down or use a prybar on the exhaust to give you a better angle at aligning the shaft with the motor

[kansas240]

just to verify, did you use a clutch alignment tool BEFORE titghtening the pressure plate?
I actually pried the motor to angle down a bit when i did the auto/5 speed swap, the bellhousing wouldn't clear the firewall. do you have clearance or is the angle of the dangle not enough?

[contranication]

Of course man you need the alignment tool otherwise nothing will line up...

I have done both methods. When I didn't take off my exhaust I pulled down and it wasn't enough so I made sure the shaft was not touching the pressure plate and I rotated the bell housing (two people) once it was on then we turned it to match all the bolt holes. This works b/c one side of the bellhousing is slightly skinnier and allows you to stick the tranny up more with less motor angle.

The one I prefer:
I took unbolted my exhaust at the cat that gave me much more prying ability and allowed the motor to angle wayyyy more than before so you barely have to try and align the tranny just sway it a little or use the driveshaft method as above than it pops right in, I have done it by myself but its a pain b/c you have to move the jack under the tranny and align and support the tranny all by yourself.

Hope this helps.

[pr240sx]

Point the starter hump downward and raise that sucker up
Also helps to raise the car as high as you can SAFELY.

[smurfgcr]

it definatly has to be aligned first. it saves a lot of anger when you have a couple people helping. my tranny was stuck at that point as well, so we just wiggled the shit out of it while pushing forward. we got mine back up in about 3 minutes. before it goes back on though, did you remember to replace the pilot and TO as well?

[arkive43]

sounds like no alignment tool was used i had teh exact same distance left(im hardheaded didnt use tool) but got it in by turning teh crank very slowy to help aline it...

[gregb1]

Thanks for the suggestions. Very frustrating being so close and it not going in. Would have figured getting the bolt holes aligned and a good shove would have worked better. I will definately try rotating the tranny even more and hooking up the driveshaft. This and enough cursing should get the job done and hopefully not destroy the clutch in the process.

I did the new TO and Pilot as I did not want to have to do this again :)

I'll let you know how it turns out.

You guys rock!

[Jonnie Fraz]

One thing I found that I was fighting was gravity...I had the front jacked up and the rears on the ground...I fought for hours to get that thing in, with no go...I jacked up the rear PUT IT ON JACK STANDS and in like five minutes it went in. All the other tranny installs I have done, I get all four corners up and it goes right in...That is if the clutch a is aligned properly like mentioned in earlier posts.
Good luck

[gregb1]

Just an update. Tried the reverse trick and after three pushes it went right in. Hours of frustration of putting the tranny are done. Woot!

Thanks guys. Soon I'll be out on the road and autocrossing again!