Helpful hint when installing transmission.

1238 · Jul 9, 2004

I'm sure some of you already know this....but for the uninitiated, like myself, it'll save you a bunch of time and frustration.

Get two long (6 inches or longer) bolts the same thread size as the two transmission bolts that go into the block right above the oil pan.
Cut the head of the bolt off and cut a notch into the end of the bolt where the head was so that you can use a flatblade screwdriver to remove it.
Thread them into the holes and use them as a guide for the transmission.
The bolts will help keep the transmission from tilting and turning while making sure it's straight. The input shaft should slide into the pilot bearing very easily.

When I first removed my transmission to replace the pilot bearing, it took 2 people, a tranny jack, and the better part of an hour to get it bolted to the engine.
This time, after replacing the input shaft bearing, a syncho, and fifth gear, I used the two bolts that I fabbed up. It only took myself, the tranny jack, and about 10 minutes from loading it onto the jack to being bolted to the engine.

So for those of you who didn't know about this....think about it the next time you have to tackle a transmission on your rig.

LEVE · Jul 10, 2004

1. Good Point...
2. See Item 28
3. You said it better'n me!

2584 · Jul 10, 2004

After all the times I've removed/replaced/changed transmissions in all types of vehicles, somebody finally comes up with a high-tech inventive device like this!! Wish I would've known or thought about it 25+ years ago, it's so simple. Great post, thanks for the info., keep it coming!
Thank you.

RRich · Jul 10, 2004

Fabbing up guide pins works great for lots of other things too -- like heads, manifolds, both intake & exhaust, water pump, even a diff's center section. Even helps when putting a body back on a frame!
Anyplace it's akward or heavy.

After I make some for something, I toss them in a drawer - that drawer's getting full!

2770 · Jul 10, 2004

Great tip.

LEVE, do you really rember the contents of all 8162 posts that you have contributed??? My hat's off to you. I sometimes have difficulty remembering what I had for lunch.

LEVE · Jul 10, 2004

In reply to:

LEVE, do you really rember the contents of all 8162 posts that you have contributed???

[/ QUOTE ]1. Yes,
2. Kinda scary,
3. Ain't it!

jdoggmoney · Jul 10, 2004

Yup, me too. Eeverytime I have to fab up some sort of special doo dad to make a projecy easier, I put in the drawer with the others. Then one day many moons from now, it'll be there when you need it again.

Guest · Jul 10, 2004

Great tip!!...sure would save strained muscles...frustration...and lots and lots of

in my case most times...lol...thanks for the tip!!

CJDave · Jul 10, 2004

As was mentioned, I too have gazoodles of cut-off bolts that are used for aligning pins in the number two drawer of my ten-drawer tool box. We've used them for years to pull the bearing retainers up to the end bearing in electric motors so we can get the cap screws threaded into the retainer.

On my FS GM 3/4T 4 X 4 I have an aluminum bellhousing ahead of the SM465 4-speed. Because the threads in the bellhousings have a bad habit of washing out, I use studs in the bell housing set with Lok-Tite. Of course the studs sticking out makes fitting up the tranny a breeze.

1604 · Jul 12, 2004

Thanks for the hint. Could have used that this weekend while putting a tranny under my brother's 91 Ranger. Used a floor jack and elbow grease.

elusive · Jul 12, 2004

one more tip as long as we are on this subject....
drop the skidpan as low as it will go and get a few long extentions. go at the tranny bolts from behind the skidpan with an impact wrench.. you can usually see straight to them... this is a LOT easier than dealing with the tranny hump for the top 2 bolts.

Helpful hint when installing transmission.

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