armybyrd

When I pulled my engine/tranny I left the c-beam connected to the rear and just slid the driveshaft out of the tranny.
For the install I forgot about the driveshaft end and already have the engine bolted in place. Will I be able to disconnect the driveshaft at the rear end and slide the end into the tranny or will I have to loosen the engine mount bolts to move it around?

Tom400CFI

You should be able to un bolt it from the rear and finagle it into the trans, then re-install it into the rear yoke.

VikingTrad3r

i have used a rubber mallet and a small piece of 2x4 to move it into position. wood ensures no markings or damage is done. it is a tight fit.

armybyrd

Driveshaft you mean? I'm guessing I'll have to at least loosen the rear c-beam bolts? I just had a helluva time getting the engine & tranny back in by myself so I'd hate to have to undo the engine mounts. I'll mess with the driveshaft/c-beam within the next few days.

SJW

No need to disturb what you've already done. Remove the driveshaft and slip it into the extension housing, then secure to the diff. If you can't get the clearance you need, worst case is that you'll need to support the rear of the engine, unbolt the C-beam and move it out of the way enough to get the shaft out and back in. Then bolt the C-beam back in place, torque the bolts, and call it done. No big deal.

Live well,

SJW

QCVette

Exactly

When I did my transmission, there was no need to unbolt engine/transmission to get the C-beam in. On mine I had to support the rear of the engine to both remove the C-beam and to reinstall it.

Getting it all to line up is not too bad either, but I struggled with it for a while until I found that raising/lowering the back of the engine will change the angle for the C-beam. At one point the C-beam bolts will literally drop through without forcing them. That is a good point to tighten up all the C-beam bolts. Although it is not the FSM method for setting the alignment, it has worked a number of times for me.

Good luck.

armybyrd

got the driveshaft in no problem. I'm going to have to order a new strap bolt though. That and my 2 month old harbor freight floor jack quit on me :/

VikingTrad3r

A very good lesson to remind us all never to rely on only the Jack!

armybyrd

Yea well i had a jack stand on one corner and a smaller trolley jack for backup. Luckily I'm within the 90 day window to return it.