[FWDLK] Everything's spline with me, how 'bout you?

[Dan Morton <morton@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, the world's slowest auto mechanic FINALLY got the transmission in.
Last week, it was *almost* in (see message below) -- but today, I backed it
out to see what was really going on.  It so happens that in a box of
transmission parts that Richard Main sent to me (thank you, Richard,
wherever you are), there was the leading drive shaft.  After removing the
transmission, I tried to insert this into the clutch plate.  It wouldn't go!
Did I have the wrong clutch plate?!

Having already dropped the lower bell housing, I backed off the pressure
plate bolts and dropped the clutch plate.  Low and behold!  It would not fit
on the lead transmission shaft.  The reason:  PAINT.  The replacement clutch
plate metal was painted a nice glossy black, and SO WERE THE SPLINES.  It
would have been a simple matter for the remanufacturer to cover the splines
before painting -- and it would have been a simple matter for me to check.
But I didn't, hence the problem.  A little emory paper to the paint, and a
little three and one oil -- I had the plate sliding on the transmission
shaft like butter.

Then, using the patented Dave Strangand long-bolt guidance system (Thanks,
Dave), it was one-two-three, what are we fighting for...  The tranny was in,
and I was home in time to cut the lawn to keep the missus happy.

Thanks to all!

        Dan
        '55 Savoy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
> [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Dan Morton
> Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2001 11:44 AM
> To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [FWDLK] Pardon me ma'am, your pressure plate is showing
>
>
> Folks,
>
> The world's slowest auto mechanic now has the standard 3-spd. transmission
> ALMOST in.  I say almost, because after I hoisted it with a floor jack and
> slid the shaft through the throwout bearing and pressure plate,
> it's hung up
> about 1 1/2" from the bell housing.  My guess is that the splines aren't
> aligning with the clutch plate; turning the emergency brake drum while the
> transmission is in gear doesn't seem to help.
>
> I used a tool to align the clutch plate before I locked down the pressure
> plate, and before I started putting the tranny in, I could sight
> everything
> to see that it was still in alignment.  I guess the transmission is off
> center a bit, but it's hard to see where I'm off while I'm on my back
> fooling around.
>
> I thought about pressing on the clutch a bit to nudge the clutch
> plate, but
> I'm likely to throw everything off.  Just now, it occurred to me
> I could get
> two long bolts to "pilot" the tranny into place while I play around.  I do
> have the lower bell housing piece off, so I can see the pressure plate and
> clutch, and could even fool around from there.
>
> Never had this problem before!  (Admittedly, the last time I did
> this was 32
> years ago, in a '63 Polara.)  Does anyone have advice for me?  If anyone
> likes the "pilot bolt" approach, please let me know the upper bolt
> size/tpi -- the car is 30 miles from here, with no hardware store nearby.
>
>         adTHANKSvance,
>         Dan
>         '55 Savoy
>