Tranny Removal
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Joined: May 2006
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Tranny Removal
1970 454 4-spd
I have read to remove the transmission, the engine has to be lowered enough to allow the trans to come out. Does the motor mounts have to be loosened to do this? I have the trans completely disconnected and my engine is being supported at the oil pan by a stand and block of wood. I have also unbolted the bell housing. Car is on a mid-rise lift. I have a new Steeroids steering rack installed. Looks like there is not much space to allow the engine to be lowered. Maybe I'm just paranoid!!! Any suggestions? Seems like I am right there, but just not over the hump.
I have read to remove the transmission, the engine has to be lowered enough to allow the trans to come out. Does the motor mounts have to be loosened to do this? I have the trans completely disconnected and my engine is being supported at the oil pan by a stand and block of wood. I have also unbolted the bell housing. Car is on a mid-rise lift. I have a new Steeroids steering rack installed. Looks like there is not much space to allow the engine to be lowered. Maybe I'm just paranoid!!! Any suggestions? Seems like I am right there, but just not over the hump.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
You need to remove the shifter assy and rods. This will give you enough room to pull the trasmission back and rotate it 90* degrees to get the input shaft past the bell housing. When I did mine I left the bell housing attached to the engine until I got the tranny out.
Also, I had a small jack under the oil pan to raise or lower the engine as needed. I disconnected the tach cable at the distributor, removed the ignition shielding box, and removed the fan so it wouldn't hit the radiator shroud whiile being lowered. I did not loosen the motor mounts. The rear of the engine only needed to be tipped up or down an inch or so.
Also, I had a small jack under the oil pan to raise or lower the engine as needed. I disconnected the tach cable at the distributor, removed the ignition shielding box, and removed the fan so it wouldn't hit the radiator shroud whiile being lowered. I did not loosen the motor mounts. The rear of the engine only needed to be tipped up or down an inch or so.
Last edited by Revi; Nov 5, 2014 at 12:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
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Joined: May 2006
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When I said disconnected, I mean that there is nothing attached to the transmission. I have it completely separated from the car where I can move it around. Turning it on its side...etc. I have the exhaust off. All I have to do is just take it out. The only thing I have not done is lower the engine. I guess I will try that this weekend. The question I previously asked was should the motor mounts be loosened in order to tilt engine down?
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
I have never loosened the motor mounts. Just lower the jack that is holding up the back of the engine. That should give you just enough clearance for the input shaft of the tranny to clear the face of the bellhousing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
When I said disconnected, I mean that there is nothing attached to the transmission. I have it completely separated from the car where I can move it around. Turning it on its side...etc. I have the exhaust off. All I have to do is just take it out. The only thing I have not done is lower the engine. I guess I will try that this weekend. The question I previously asked was should the motor mounts be loosened in order to tilt engine down?
PS, it's still a very tough wrestling match getting it out, that's for sure!!! WWF has nothing on us.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
You said you had the exhaust off. If you have the pipes removed from the transmission area, you're good to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
When I said disconnected, I mean that there is nothing attached to the transmission. I have it completely separated from the car where I can move it around. Turning it on its side...etc. I have the exhaust off. All I have to do is just take it out. The only thing I have not done is lower the engine. I guess I will try that this weekend. The question I previously asked was should the motor mounts be loosened in order to tilt engine down?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 144
Likes: 9
see my pics. I dropped tranny and you can see I pulled motor with bell housing. I don't know I'd this helps or not. You need to remove the shifter assy and rods. This will give you enough room to pull the trasmission back and rotate it 90* degrees to get the input shaft past the bell housing. When I did mine I left the bell housing attached to the engine until I got the tranny out.
Also, I had a small jack under the oil pan to raise or lower the engine as needed. I disconnected the tach cable at the distributor, removed the ignition shielding box, and removed the fan so it wouldn't hit the radiator shroud whiile being lowered. I did not loosen the motor mounts. The rear of the engine only needed to be tipped up or down an inch or so.
Also, I had a small jack under the oil pan to raise or lower the engine as needed. I disconnected the tach cable at the distributor, removed the ignition shielding box, and removed the fan so it wouldn't hit the radiator shroud whiile being lowered. I did not loosen the motor mounts. The rear of the engine only needed to be tipped up or down an inch or so.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
Removing the pipes (all of them) from the exhaust manifold to the mufflers gives you much more room to work.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
Before it all goes back together, buy an exhaust pipe expander to get the pipes round again and they will slip into place.
http://www.harborfreight.com/large-t...9549-8955.html
Last edited by Revi; Dec 31, 2014 at 11:13 AM.