Transmission Removal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Transmission Removal
Have a 72 that has a slight leak at the gasket areas on the transmission. Wondering if anyone has removed the transmission while the engine is still in the car or is this just way to difficult due to the limted space and access around the transmission. Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Automatic or standard? I wouldn't pull the engine and trans together for this if that is what you are asking. Room will be tight but it is doable. Will help if you have a transmission jack and power tools
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
It is a manual transmission. Thanks for the replys thus far, really wondering on the putting it back in since this always seems to be harder than removing/taking apart. But it sounds like I will be revoving it while the engine is still in the car anyways though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Removal
Search the threads.
There are some excellent write ups. Basically you will have to pul the trans back and then rotate it 90 degrees with shifter shafts pointing up. Then tilt the front down and slide it out.
Sounds easy but it is a really tight squeeze. While you have it out inspect the clutch. You don't want to have to do it again. If the heat shield is missing now is a great time to put it in. Interior will be cooler and a tiny bit quieter.
Bill
There are some excellent write ups. Basically you will have to pul the trans back and then rotate it 90 degrees with shifter shafts pointing up. Then tilt the front down and slide it out.
Sounds easy but it is a really tight squeeze. While you have it out inspect the clutch. You don't want to have to do it again. If the heat shield is missing now is a great time to put it in. Interior will be cooler and a tiny bit quieter.
Bill
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
SLIGHT leak? Put a piece of cardboard on the garage floor right underneath the transmission. Change monthly.
But seriously. The trans can be pulled out without removing the engine. Get a Chilton's or something for the exact procedure. The front exhaust pipes and shift linkage come out first and go back in last. Once you're that far into it, inspect the clutch, as well. But it's easy to get carried away, once you start. Don't.
If you have a Muncie manual trans with an aluminum case, you can just bench press that puppy in and out yourself. It's about 75 lbs, if I recall correctly. If you keep the driveshaft yoke in place, and are very careful, you might not even have to drain it first. Not easy, on your back and under the car. But doable. Don't even think about that with a TH400 or TH350, though. They are just way too heavy. The automatics need a trans jack, for sure.
But seriously. The trans can be pulled out without removing the engine. Get a Chilton's or something for the exact procedure. The front exhaust pipes and shift linkage come out first and go back in last. Once you're that far into it, inspect the clutch, as well. But it's easy to get carried away, once you start. Don't.
If you have a Muncie manual trans with an aluminum case, you can just bench press that puppy in and out yourself. It's about 75 lbs, if I recall correctly. If you keep the driveshaft yoke in place, and are very careful, you might not even have to drain it first. Not easy, on your back and under the car. But doable. Don't even think about that with a TH400 or TH350, though. They are just way too heavy. The automatics need a trans jack, for sure.
Last edited by gcusmano74; Jan 14, 2012 at 07:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I like the thought of cardboard on the floor, which I did over this past summer. I just finished a frame off restoration on the car this past summer and the seals on the transmission must have dry rotted after sitting for so long. So I should have known better and replaced them while I had the whole car apart, but I guess you live and learn.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I like the thought of cardboard on the floor, which I did over this past summer. I just finished a frame off restoration on the car this past summer and the seals on the transmission must have dry rotted after sitting for so long. So I should have known better and replaced them while I had the whole car apart, but I guess you live and learn.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield California
I have a 72 and removed mine by myself. As others have said, had the engine held up with a piece of wood under the pan on a floor jack. Unbolted it, spun it 90 degress as I backed it out, then let the front end drop once the input shaft cleared the bellhousing. I did remove the shifter and associated linkage first obvioulsy. And though I've heard you can somehow do it without (not sure how), I removed my exhaust for extra room. Be careful the tailshaft doesnt slip out as you pull it out from the cross member, You can make a mess. Unless you drain it first. Some people recommend taping or tying the shaft so it doesn't back out. And make sure you are squarely under it to bench press it down to the ground if You aren't using a jack. I also got 2 eyelids full of crap so I would recommend safety glasses.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: frederick maryland
its easy. gettin the shifter out was the toughest part here. took me just over 4 hours alone to pull mine. my frames 17" from the ground, and i didnt need to loosen the bellhousing. had a 6X6 ready, pulled her back, rotated 90 deg, lowered the nose onto the 6x6, slid it fwd and out