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I've made my first attempt to install my transmission to my engine, inline 6 engine and T18 trans. It's only me and my engine hoist and my cat and dog as spectators. They absolutely refuse to lend a paw for help. I was hoping that once I got it mated up I would be able to rotate the transmission into position but it is too heavy to rotate and I'm fighting against the sling.
My next effort is to try to reconfigure the sling so that it lifts the transmission in the proper orientation or close to it. I got it as far as up to the input shaft cover and perhaps a little more but I do not want to whack on the driveline any more than absolutely necessary. Additionally, I will reinstall the shifter so that I can put the transmission in gear to be able to line up the spines with the clutch plate.
Question: Is it easier to mount the bell housing to the transmission first and work with that pair to mate to the engine?
I have experience with the BMW 2002's and their transmission is integral with the bell housing, so that got me thinking...
IME, it's easier to have the BH mounted to the transmission, I've done it both ways and it always seems harder to get everything lined up with the BH on the engine, but that could just be my incompetence too LOL.
I rplc'd the 240 in my 66 with a 300 a few yrs ago, just me and the critters as spectators also... they are of absolutely no help I have found, couldn't even nudge the ratchet to me, they just looked at me stretching to reach it offering zero assistance, ugh!
Success!! Since it was mentioned that both methods were tried, above I decided to have another go with mating the transmission with the bell housing already on the engine. It was a matter of redoing my lifting slings. Fortunately I had another pair and was able to improve the lift such that the transmission was better aligned with the bolt holes and in plane with the pilot bearing. Having it in gear allowed me to verify that the splines were properly engaged as well. The last quarter inch of travel was done using the bolts to drive it home. Very rewarding and no swear words were uttered nor contemplated during this procedure. I would hate to have to do this while under the truck. Getting the slings just right to lift evenly was the key. The whole procedure from changing the slings to installation took no more than 10 minutes.
Installed and bolted A sneak peak of where this drive train will end up.
On my 65 with an NP435, I couldn’t stab the engine with the trans in place. The shift tower wouldn’t allow the trans to clear the crossmember to cab gap.
I ended up popping the top cover out, then it went right in.
Not sure if the T18 trans will clear the gap.
I guess I should have asked if you pulled the engine and trans as a unit when you disassembled the truck.
I don't think I can count on both hands the number of times I pulled a trans, from an old BMW...02's, E3's, an E9... got to the point, where I could probably have done it in my sleep.
Congrats on your success, looking forward to more posts about your project.
On my 65 with an NP435, I couldn’t stab the engine with the trans in place. The shift tower wouldn’t allow the trans to clear the crossmember to cab gap.
I ended up popping the top cover out, then it went right in.
Not sure if the T18 trans will clear the gap.
I guess I should have asked if you pulled the engine and trans as a unit when you disassembled the truck.
You brought up a good point regarding clearance of the transmission. I just so happen to have an NP435 lying around to measure the height, which came out at about 18in tall. I was surprised that the T18 at around 17in high is almost as tall. The clearance is about 16in so it looks like I'll be removing to top plate too. Dang, I've got it sealed up with aviation sealer along with the gasket; don't know if the gasket will survive for reuse.
The photos below show how the engine/tranny was dealt with on teardown.
Removing the cab on initial teardown using a homemade gantry crane on wheels. Reinstalling the cab before the winter rains came last November. At this point the transmission had yet to be reworked so I couldn't install the engine/tranny yet. The guy on the right is a friend's oldest son, he will ultimately inherit this truck when I'm senile and in diapers...
Yeah, the 4 speed truck transmissions are pretty tall. I tried for 30 minutes to weasel the 302/NP435 combo in, no dice. Popping the top over did the trick.
If the cab is just sitting on the frame, maybe jack the front of the cab up a couple of inches?
Well, I got a late start but heeded the advice to remove the transmission cap before proceeding. That was a key bit of experience shared. Thanks. I did this job alone and spent about an hour fussing with the engine and using wood pieces to wedge it here and there and minimize paint damage. I can report back that all in all it went okay. It was a lot of tweaking, lifting, shoving, coaxing and taking my time. It might have been a little easier with an engine leveler, which I have, but this engine is so much heavier than the four cylinders I've typically used it for. With only a standard engine hoist to lift, I don't think this job is possible with the radiator and support in place. An overhead chain hoist I'm sure would be an improvement. At any rate, I'm delighted to have this engine off the ground and back on the truck.
I had to fight with the hoist around the jack stands to move the engine closer to the truck. A swinging engine cantilevered at the farthest setting of the hoist is very unnerving to say the least. I moved the assembly using a wood plank a little at a time by wedging at the bottom and using it as a lever. I found that gave the most control. using wood to coax it into position without scraping against sheetmetal Done! I might add that getting the bell housing above the engine brackets was a bit of a challenge as well Relief that I didn't drop the engine during this task.
Glad it’s installed without any damage!
Getting the bell over the mounts is a pain, no doubt.
I’m not sure, but I may have pulled the passengers side engine perch out to install mine. I had the front clip off, makes it much easier, as you know.
I have an older, non folding engine hoist. It’s a lot more robust than the fold up Chinese units. Much heavier wall thickness tubing. It’s my go to for old American iron engines.
You’re making progress!
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