need help aliging tranny and engine

[AlaskanJack]

Ok so I am doing an engine swap for my nephew my first. We are putting the new engine in and we are having trouble getting the clutch spline to go into the tranny where the shaft goes into the back of the engine.

What tricks do you guys have to get these to line up? I have been trying to rotate the crankshaft to reposition the spline reciever with no success.

Need help we are at a stand still.

 

[DeRocha]

Do you have an alignment tool?

You will need a clutch aligment tool to do the job, otherwise it would take Forever....

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

Did you try....

the clutch alighnment tool. Its a little plastic replica of the splined section used to pre align the splines. The last time I checked they ran about 8 bucks. Its a common parts house tool.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Ah well we got one of those I thought it was just used to set up the clutch assembly itself. dOH!

How do I use it to align the clutch to the tranny spline. Do I try to set the clutch tool in the same position as the tranny spline or what?

 

[SteveVB]

Its always been easier for me to turn the transmission to get the splines lined up rather than the engine. Like the guys above said, if you didnt align the clutch disc with the pilot you wont get it in anyway, but assuming you did that- a simple turn of the output shaft will get the splines to line up. I also have used some long bolts with the heads cut off as an alignment tool, put them in the lower two mounting holes and slide the trans forward into the crank and engine- helps keep it aligned and perpendicular so you can get the input shaft into the pilot, and get the top boolts started. This may or may not work depending on the vehicle though.
A little bit of light grease may help also, but very little or you will contaminate the clutch- should use a little in the pilot bearing bore also.

Hope thats helps... good luck.

 

[SteveVB]

You were right the clutch alignment tool is only to set up the clutch- if you did that then you just need to make sure the trans is goin in with the input shaft parallel to the crank and the bell housing parrallel to the block.

Good Luck

 

[AlaskanJack]

Ok so my clutch is aligned and now it is just a matter of man handling the engine to get everything level and straight, right?!

Ok so the clutch assembly is inside the tranny but I am not sure if the splines have gone into the piklot I guess it is. I still have around 2" to completely get the flexplate against the tranny. When the splines align will the engine just slide right onto the ttranny or will it have to be wiggled on? I hear ya Steve maybe a touch of grease will help the spline slide.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by AlaskanJack
Ok so my clutch is aligned and now it is just a matter of man handling the engine to get everything level and straight, right?!

sounds like it. Is the trans hanging free or is it jacked up a bit? It may help to jack the front of the trans a bit so the engine comes down at more of an angle.

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

Carefull with the grease!!

If all is clean and straight the grease should not be ness. If you have started the snout in and not been in good alignment. you may have knocked the clutch pressure plate out of alignment. try pulling it back and realigning the splines. The smallest amount of grease will pack your lunch. Try SteveVB idea. Lift the front of the trans as far as poss. it helps alot. Good luck.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Re: Carefull with the grease!!

Originally posted by ALYZ1FLR
If all is clean and straight the grease should not be ness. If you have started the snout in and not been in good alignment. you may have knocked the clutch pressure plate out of alignment. try pulling it back and realigning the splines. The smallest amount of grease will pack your lunch. Try SteveVB idea. Lift the front of the trans as far as poss. it helps alot. Good luck.

Well we did have the front of the tranny jacked all the way up when we started this. Man I hate to have to lift it out to check to see if clutch is misaligned. I really believe that the splines just aren't lining up.

I know when I replaced a steering knuckle I pulled my axle shaft out on passenger side and it was a bear getting the the splied shaft back together. man I hope this tranny won't be that bad.

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

Be patiant.

When the alignment is right it will go. Dont trust your eyes to get the alignment, use a measurable reference like bellhousing to block to see if you are square.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Well we used SteveB's idea. We were getting ready to head out to buy some long bolts and cut the heads off when I said wait a minute. I ran and started pulling all sorts of tools out of my toolbox. Anything long and straight that would fit in the bolt holes. We put something in every bolt hole and then I turned the crank a hair and WHAM! It went together.

Thanks guys!

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

CONGRATS

happy happy joyjoy happy happy joyjoy!!

 

[AlaskanJack]

Now here's praying that it starts today and we have the distributor in correct and #1 cylinder is at TDC.