pulling my engine

[black_81_vette]

Hello im about to get ready to pull the engine on my 81 vette with a 4 speed trans.My question should or should'nt I remove the transmission? Acording to both service manuals (hanes & factory) manual they leave it in there.My main concern is how in the world am I supposed to get the trans input shaft to go in the clutch when it comes time to mate the trans to the engine?

 

[C3forME]

I would pull both pieces out together. It makes it much easier to get everything back in. It also makes it easier to check your flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing for wear. You then may want to check out the u-joints on your drive shaft as well, now would be the ideal time to replace these things if neccessary while everything is out.

 

[Bill75]

Pulling Engine Question

If you do decide to remove the tranny and pull them separately, you can use a dummy spline shaft to line up your clutch on the flywheel when you're assembling the pressure plate. When you tighten the pressure plate bolts, it secures the clutch in place then you can remove the dummy shaft. Then when you install the tranny it'll line up.

Bill

 

[BeaterShark]

It really doesn't matter. I like to pull them separately.

The tranny is light enough where you can bench press it in and out fairly easily. This makes it easier to clear the motor and less cranking on the load leveler.

Also, I think I can leave the radiator in and hood on by separating the tranny prior to pulling the engine.

 

[bobherr46]

I also recommed that you pull the engine and trans. together. It is a little tight but can be done. This is a good time to replace all of the shaft seals in the trans. plus the stuff some of the other guys mentioned. Also,a good time to wash it out with solvent and put in fresh gear grease. Regardless of how you do it ,you will need a clutch alignment tool if you take the clutch apart. This tool is just a hard piece of plastic that you buy for a few $ at the auto parts store. - Bob

 

[GerryLP]

On automatic trannys, one drawback of removing it separately from the engine is that you'll have to raise the vehicle very high to clear the bellhousing from the bottom of the car. However, on a manual tranny, the bellhousing remains with the engine? right? or am I wrong?

 

[bobherr46]

On my 79 ,the manual trans. is bolted to the bellhousing with 4 bolts. To remove engine I guess you would take out these 4 bolts and move the engine straight foreward 6-8 inches toclear the trans. input shaft and lift up,pulling the engine with the bell housing on it. Seems like a big hassle to get the stuff all lined up when you put it back but it is a battle to get the trans back in place on the rear cross member that holds the trans mount too. Maybe Chev changed the procedure on later cars because it was actually easier to pull only the engine. - Bob