ok so I got the tranny dropped and the clutch on and now we are having trouble getting it to line up and go in. it seems like the tail housing is up as far as it goes but the tranny needs to go up more. It is only about 1/2 to an inch away from fully mating. we tryed to align the splines up on the input shaft and i dont believe thats the issue, and when moving the tranny it causes the motor to move, but nothing is in the way or interfearing. any advice on how to manipulate the tranny and motor to align. im going to post in the NE board to see if i can get someone to give me a hand, so if your in northeast Ohio and can help PM me.

 

The end of the input shaft is not lined up with the pilot hole in the end of the crankshaft . It is easiest to use an aligning tool and insert into clutch and then into pilot hole with the pressure plate loose then tighten pressure plate and remove the aligning tool . ( maybe take a rubber hammer or the like and tap the aligning tool a little sideways all the way around just so the shaft is lined up perfect . before removing . it should fit like sleeves on a vest . Gerald m

 

Another little trick that helps smooth the process out is to use a jack and push up on the front of the engine to push the flywheel end towards the ground. Helps a little bit when putting the tranny back in as far as wiggle room and alignment.

 

If the clutch is not perfectly aligned, installing the transmission will be very difficult. You have to make absolutely sure the alignment tool can smoothly slide in and out without any drag or snags before attempting to install the transmission. Also, torque the pressure plate bolts to spec. This will prevent any distortion, since bolting it down clamps the clutch disc with the PP's spring pressure.

Lifting the front of the engine is always an option, but I've never had to on an Rx7 clutch job. It can only help matters if it's your first job. Also, before installing it, put the trans in gear and rotate the output shaft with the driveshaft while pushing in. Sometimes it just won't go in without a little twist

 

I'm from North Olmsted, Ohio and have also pulled the transmission/clutch/flywheel. Will be getting back to it after this week of school is over. We should meet up and talk tech some time.

 

I'll go a little further and say...
Make sure you torque them in a criss cross pattern turning each bolt only 2-3 turns at a time so seat the Pressure plate evenly... i've had trouble in the past when putting engines back in, but the one time i pulled the tranny and put it back in, it went smooth as silk, without an alignment tool, just a really good eye for disc position.

 

yeah send me a PM and ill send you my number.
i made sure the alignment tool is moved freely and was aligned correctly, same for the PP bolts, they are torqued correctly. it seems more of cant get the tranny and motor aligned dead. i think im going to find some bolts that are longer and try to guide the two together.

 

watch what you are doing even just a little pressure with the bolts could break the ears off the housing .. Found that out the hard way many moons ago .

 

When the trans is started in you'll se it's on an angle when compared to the back of the engine, so as stated earlier, lower the rear of the engine by raising the front. Have had to do it many times with the RX7.

 

Are you working from the ground? Or are you doing this job on a lift? I have done 2 trans swaps from the ground just using a jack and stands, ( Never do it like that again). It is a pain the @$$ doing it from the ground because you really can't get a full look under the car. But here's what I did,

Aline the clutch with the tool, make sure it moves smoothly when u pull it in and out, place the trans on a jack and roll it under and start to jack it up, get it as high as you can, place it back on the driveshaft/engine. if its off and it needs to go higher with the engine, use a 2by4 and place it on the oil pan. Start to jack up the engine from the oil pan with the 2by4, BE VERY VERY EFFING CAREFUL! Jack it up slowly and see if you can adjust the trans after you have jacked up the engine. Takes a couple of tries but you should be able to get flush back where it was.