Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

[Dan T.]

I am restoring a 1974 Coupe with an L82 and I cannot put the transmission back on the engine. I have put a pilot bearing back in and it is flush, but I cannot get the transmisson to seat flush with the engine. It comes down to the last quarter inch and it won't go any closer. I have taken the clutch and pressure plate off a number of times to make sure that it is installed correctly. The pilot bushing is flush. The transmission will just not go the rest of the way in so that the bolt areas contact the engine. Anyone have any suggestions?

Dan

I should have included that the engine is on a lift outside the car. No clutch pedal hooked up.

[Ralph P.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

Have someone depress the clutch as you work the transmission in.... DO NOT USE THE MOUNTING BOLTS TO PULL THAT LAST INCH !

[Dana M.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

If you have the clutch linkage hooked up, have someone push down on cluch pedal while you push forward on trans.The best lineup tool is a old maindrive, the plastic sometimes is just to loose a fit.

[Rich P.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

Also make sure there are no burrs on the inner opening on the rear of the bellhousing as well as on the front bearing retainer on the trans and also on the tip of he input shaft where it enguages the pilot bushing. I also agree to have someone step on the clutch to help. I aslo sometimes put the trans in gear and spin the tailshaft while wiggleing it in, that along with someone stepping on the clutch and releasing it a few times will usually do the trick.

Rich

[Clem Z.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

if the above does not work measure from the face of the bell housing to the face of the bushing and then measure from the face of the trans to the back edge of the pilot bushing place on the input shaft to make sure the bushing is in far enough

[Jephrey S.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

I had the same exact problem, and it was the looseness of the plastic alignment tool. I wrapped a piece of scotch tape around the end of the tool (electrical tape was too thick) and that finally got everything lined up. The few attempts to get the tool inserted without peeling the tape back helped show me which direction I was off. You are not off by much. People that do this regularly generally have a salvaged input shaft to use as an alignment tool.

And I also agree, absolutely DO NOT try to draw the transmission in with the mounting bolts. That is where all those welded mounting ears come from.

[Tim S.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

Try it after loosening the bellhousing. All of the other tips should come first though.

Best of luck

[Thomas H.]

Re: Troubel re-installing M-21 transmission

I had the same exact problem, and it was the looseness of the plastic alignment tool. I wrapped a piece of scotch tape around the end of the tool (electrical tape was too thick) and that finally got everything lined up. The few attempts to get the tool inserted without peeling the tape back helped show me which direction I was off. You are not off by much. People that do this regularly generally have a salvaged input shaft to use as an alignment tool.

And I also agree, absolutely DO NOT try to draw the transmission in with the mounting bolts. That is where all those welded mounting ears come from.

The tape method worked for me (I used electrical tape though.......). Just a little bit of mis-alignment can be the source of a lot of colorful language being directed at the transmission............

Tom