72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!!

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Oct 20, 2001 | 07:17 PM

briang

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: McLean, VA, USA

72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!!

Got some chattering and slipping so I figured a clutch change and check/replace of the flywheel might be in order.

Removed exhaust. Disconnect linkages and wires from transmission. Unbolted transmission from bell housing. Pulled transmission back and it wont clear the bell housing for removal. Need about an inch or two. Even after dropping the engine as far as the front mounts would let it go.

I was unable to remove the bolts for the gearshift linkage to its bracket so it is still hanging there.. However I dont think that would give me the room I need???

Would it be concievable to unbolt the bellhousing and bring it down in one clunk?

I need some direction here. I was expecting this to be a weekend or two job.. however I havent even go the tranny out yet.. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Oct 20, 2001 | 08:14 PM

73Ken73

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 866

Likes: 1

From: Peabody,MA,USA

Re: 72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!! (briang)

You need to remove the shifter from the car first and put it in last. The tranny will come out.

Oct 20, 2001 | 09:26 PM

Steve Straus

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 4,679

Likes: 6

From: Charles Town WV

Re: 72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!! (briang)

You have to remove the linkage. I found that a craftsman pro 3/8 ratchet with a 9/16 deep socket was the perfect length to get the shifter off of the bracket. I assume it's the lower bolt you are having trouble with. You have to get your arm up in there a certain way, but its necessary. When you get that undone and get the bracket removed, rotate the tranny towards you 90 degrees, lift the tailhousing up and push it towards the rear. If you still cant get it to clear, get a floor jack, put a piece of 2x4 on it and jack the engine up by the harmonic balancer. Make sure you don't go too far watch your distributor clearance to the firewall.

When pulling this out the tip of the input shaft will BARELY clear the outside of the bellhousing as you take it down. I've done this 5 times now and can have one out in about an hour.

Taking it out with the bellhousing attached wont work, it'll just hit your clutch.

Good luck!

Oct 20, 2001 | 10:33 PM

zwede

Race Director

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 11,361

Likes: 383

From: Plano TX

Re: 72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!! (Steve Straus)

I also found the driveshaft yoke has to come out in addition to the shifter. It's a very tight fit. You have to pull back and rotate the tranny and it will pop out.

Oct 21, 2001 | 12:06 AM

carriljc

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 6,750

Likes: 1,391

Re: 72 Transmission Removal .. HELP!! (briang)

Try removing the bolt furthest in the aft end of the transmission. I read this pointer somewhere and that extra thickness of the bolt-head made a difference when removing my transmission. Removing the bolt allowed me to push the tranny back that extra 5/16"(or so) which allowed me to drop the front of the tranny along the face of the bellhousing.
jcj