my clutch started to go bad on my 83, so i got a clutch kit, and started to get to work. i got the exhaust, the heatshield, and the driveshaft down. took out the tranny bolts and lowered the tranny. i used a floor jack with a two by four to lower it. replaced the clutch, throughout bearing, and put the bolts back in. when i went to put the tranny back on, i got it all lined up, but it would not go on. this time when i raised it, i used a floor jack and the jack that came with my car. i've adjusted the tranny shaft to make sure it is lined up, but i still can't get it to go on. i can't feel anything that would be in the way. any help would be greatly appreciated--thanx

 

try to get it close enough to the engine and start putting in the bolts. tighten the bolts until the tranny pops. and it should go in easy after that.

 

tried that, only i screwd up, and didn't keep the tranny straight. when i realized it, i went to the opposite bolt, but when i got it tight, the bolt opposite popped out of the block. my neighbor stopped by and told me to use some J B weld, and just tighten the rest of the bolts down, and it should be fine. so i tried getting it to go on again, without using the bolts to pull it on, but nothing is happening. i can almost get the nut on top to go on, but the bottom still is too far away to get the correct bolt through the correct hole and start to thread.

 

Did you use a clutch centering tool? Hard to get it right without one. Sometimes the generic wooden tool from the autostore will do the trick (it has stepped diameters and you saw it off to suit), but sometimes you gotta go for the Special one, like from mazdatrix.com I wasted a lot of time lying under cars wrestling with transmissions 'cause I was too lazy or cheap to get a centering tool. Especially when it's raining out and the water is running down your neck and you're cursing that damn thing. Fortunately, transmission jacks are easier and cheaper to get now: I have one for $20 on sale at the local autostore.

B

 

yea, it came with the kit

 

I'd try loosening the clutch up, and putting the alignment too back in then while holding the tool, tighten up the bolts. The tool should be kinda tough with friction taking out. I've pullet the handle out on more than one occasion.

 

yea i did that as well, and there was some friction taking it out

 

Even when using the alignment tool, I stick my head in there and got a good look to see if it is indeed lined up. Often it is not. Eyeballing will help. I have found that the weight of the disc, on the alignment tool is often just enough to throw it off.

 

yea, the second time i did that. i looked and it seemed to be right where it needed to be. i can get the top bolt with the nut almost all the way through, but the bottom doesn't get close, so i'm pretty sure that it's lined up right. i'm gonna talk to one of my buddies and c if he can help me out.

 

Been a long time, but I DO remember a lot of horseing and wiggling and rocking and cursing on some of those clutch jobs. Maybe one of those little mirrors-on-a-stick would give a good look at how the spline is doing with the clutch plate.

Don't feel like you're the only guy to struggle with this.

B

 

yea, so good news i was able to get the tranny to go on. my brother helped me and my car is back up and running. thanks for the tips