ive just replaced the clutch in my 87 tii, and was wondering what technique you guys use for getting the tranny back up to the engine. the car is on jackstands, clutch is installed, and that tranny is friggin heavy!
just wondering what you guys have done.
we tried putting trans on a jack and jacking it up to the engine, but once we get it close we cant position it anywhere close to the engine.
little help please.

 

Jack up the front of the motor so it's easier to line up

Then go to the gym

 

lol...
yeah, i called one of my friends who does that ufc crap, hes pretty strong, be even he still had problems.

 

Seriously? I can lift that trans and I dont ever work out...

But really, lift the front of the motor. I had to figure that out the hard way, and if you have a hard time lineing up the splines then put the tranny in gear, stick the driveshaft back in and have someone rotate it while you give it a push.

 

This is what I did ... and it helped ...
I made 4 ( 2 would prob work) pegs for lack of a better word to help hold the trans in the correct position ...

.... pegs = long bolts (about 3 in will work) that match the size and pitch of the trans mounting bolts ... cut the hex head off and cut a slot for flat head screw driver.
screw these pegs in upper L & R of engine block ... then go for it ...
its a bitch and you will need to jack the front of the engine up a bit ...

once you get it close you can get some of the bottom screws started and pull (or unscrew) your pegs out on at a time , replacing with proper screw.

Hope this helps ...

 

This is a little weird but it was quite effective. I put a length of rope through the shifter hole and put it around the end of the transmission. Then I sat and pulled up the back end while someone else was under the car picking up the front. I held the rope (pretty easy from where I was) while the other guy just guided it where it was supposed to be and started one or two bolts. It took about 3 minutes to do.

 

...i dont think "weird" is quite the word...
good idea though.
i guess im just tired of screwing with it for one night. ill have to try after work again tomorrow.
i had thought about just pulling the whole engine back out and bolting it together then putting it back in,
but then i think about all those hoses...man im tired.