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Does the trans fit into the pilot bearing easily? I suspect a touch of mis-alignment may be your problem. Install the bell housing and all of the linkage, get the trans into the clutch disc splines and then slowly release the clutch while pushing the trans into place. You can start the trans to bell housing bolts as guides, just don't try to pull them tight. Either that or you have the trans angle off a little.
have a friend push the clutch pedal in as your attempt to seat the trans this will release the disk from any small misalignment that the alignment tool may have.
dont try to force it in with the big bolts as you will break the tranny ears.
Use a couple of bolts with heads cut off for alignment studs, definitely have someone push the clutch in also. As others have said do not use bolts to pull it together or you'll snap an ear off.
Align the clutch and bolt pressure plate on. Now slide trans in with no bell housing. Measure distance compared to bell housing dimension. Then put bell on without throwout bearing and test fit. All good so far? Put fork and bearing in. You might need it in gear with drive shaft to turn trans to align splines. Stepping on clutch only works with engine in car, obviously.
Years ago I had the Muncie in/out of my '72, and when installing, I loosened the pressure plate bolts loose enough to allow the clutch to slip around if encouraged, it was in the car, but I was alone, so no one to help press the pedal.....when it was home spun engine around and tightened up all the bolts.....
I don't remember how I flipped the engine around, wasn't using starter though.....it may have been a socket on the balancer bolt, or just a screwdriver in the teeth, or maybe a pair of vicegrips on the flywheel, I know I have used the vicegrips on the flex plates a bunch of times, and I probably would have done same for the flywheel, but it's been 1/4 century or so......
Use a couple of bolts with heads cut off for alignment studs, definitely have someone push the clutch in also. As others have said do not use bolts to pull it together or you'll snap an ear off.
Just did this a few weeks ago installing a Muncie in a BB Chevelle. Laying on your back lifting a 80lb trans is not fun when you can't seem to get things aligned and slide in. Went to Lowes and bought 2 -1/2inch, x 8inch (you don't need them that long) zinc coarse thread carriage bolts. Cut the heads off and screwed them in the bellhousing. Lifted the trans and slid it onto the bolts and the trans slid in so easily because it was now aligned perfectly. Worth the $4 to give it a try. Helped install a SB in a corvette a few years ago, also struggled with alignment. Pressed the clutch in, wiggled, and it slid in.
Just did this a few weeks ago installing a Muncie in a BB Chevelle. Laying on your back lifting a 80lb trans is not fun when you can't seem to get things aligned and slide in. Went to Lowes and bought 2 -1/2inch, x 8inch (you don't need them that long) zinc coarse thread carriage bolts. Cut the heads off and screwed them in the bellhousing. Lifted the trans and slid it onto the bolts and the trans slid in so easily because it was now aligned perfectly. Worth the $4 to give it a try. Helped install a SB in a corvette a few years ago, also struggled with alignment. Pressed the clutch in, wiggled, and it slid in.
Yup..karol and I struggled n
mightly with my rebuilt engine and 4 speed. We tried everything and installed and removed my engine a few times. Finally, read on a suburu forum about stepping on clutch pedal once the tranny and engine are about 2 inches apart, and the 2 parts slide right together. I was pissed no forum advice had suggested the same....now of course a few understand the trick. The bolts can help the alignment but allowing the clutch to move between the pressure plate and clutch disc by pressing on the clutch pedal for final alignment is the key. This technique works and should be employed first if the 2 don't mate easily.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Aug 18, 2019 at 09:36 AM.
you just gotta be sure throw out bearing is still on the input shaft. if too far apart, they can hang up too. i broke an input shaft cover doing this in about 77 or so. in the Navy. doing a clutch for somebody for 25 bucks. input cover cost 21 bucks. 6 hours on my back and i made 4 bucks...
What took four hours and ended in failure, now only took minutes.
This time I took my time and checked and rechecked everything. Also, after using the plastic alignment tool (and before installing the bellhousing), I used the input shaft of the trans to line things up. I loosened and tightened the pressure plate until it went in and out smoothly.
I then installed the bellhousing and... the trans popped in immediately, fully seating.
Urgent HELP needed on installing a Muncie
