trans removal

[cjhall]

I have been reading the thread on tranny removal and I have more questions. I saw where it has been said unbolt the bellhousing from the tranny. I cannot see a way of doing so, the bolt heads seem to be inside the bellhousing, how do you get to them? I have a 1970 F100 2wd and the front crossmember is getting in the way of removing the tranny. I tried to unbolt the cab so i could jack it up and clear the crossmember, but they spun on me. I would love to unbolt the bellhousing and be on my way. Please send help.

Chris

[68swb]

what type of engine and trans do you have and what have you done so far?

[kaptnkaos]

Hey cjhall..

Yeah, the big question here is what kind of engine and trans do you have???
The bell housing bolts are on the out side of the tranny..
they attach the bell housing to the block.
If you are pulling a standard tranny, you don't have to take the bell housing bolts out...
just the 4 bolts that attach the tranny to the bell housing...
Give us a little more info and we can walk you thru it...

KaptnKA S

[cjhall]

I guess giving you all the details would have helped.

My 70' F100 has a 302 and a C4.

I am still not sure how you guys got the transmission separated from the bellhousing while the bellhousing is still bolted to the engine. Are the heads of the bolts on the outside of the tranny? I'm pretty sure the heads of the bellhousing to trans bolts are inside of the bellhousing.

The good news is the transmission is out! I ultimately had to remove the forward crossmember (the rear crossmember/transmission mount had been removed earlier). Once I got that out it was simply a matter of lowering the jack.

I was too tired to even look at the transmission to see the bellhousing bolts or even remove the torque convertor. I laid down some kitty litter around the transmission to catch any remaining fluid, turned out the lights and walked away. I'll look at tomorrow and get back to you.

Thanks for your help guys,

Chris

[Thunderfoot]

I guess giving you all the details would have helped.

My 70' F100 has a 302 and a C4.

I am still not sure how you guys got the transmission separated from the bellhousing while the bellhousing is still bolted to the engine. Are the heads of the bolts on the outside of the tranny? I'm pretty sure the heads of the bellhousing to trans bolts are inside of the bellhousing.

Yes, the C4 has a separate bell housing from the main transmission but the bolts are on the inside as you found out... You have to remove the whole thing bellhousing and all... Most automatics don't have a separate bellhousing like this, the case is all one piece. Most all manual transmissions you take the trans off the bellhousing...

[68swb]

well if is good the hear that you have the trans. out, the best teacher is experience.

[cdeal28078]

You are supposed to remove the cross-member. If the truck is an original automatic truck the cross-member should have bolts. If it was a straight shift it may be riveted. Cut the rivets and go back with a good grade of bolts.
clint

[cjhall]

Yeah, I'm not sure what I was thinking. . . . Actually I know exactly what I was thinking. . . . I thought I could get it out w/o removing the forward crossmember, which was bolted in by eight, old, rusty bolts. I knew it was going to be a bear to get those bolts out. They fought me every inch of the way! ! ! :evil:

The rebuild is going well, I have things all cleaned up and tomorrow I'll start to build her back up.

Chris

[cdeal28078]

Those top bolts are a real pain. Try grinding the heads off the rivets to put the bolts in there if you have a straight drive truck. That is fun.
clint

[sargentrs]

I don't know what deal was with mine a couple years ago. 302 with a 3spd manual. Pulled the crossmember, tranny, bell and put a new clutch in it. When I put it all back together, the crossmember bolt holes were half a hole off on one side, out to out! Actually had to put a come-along around the frame to squeeze the rails together enough to put the bolts in. Hoping to not have the same problem this next time, putting in a new clutch n a "new" tranny, in a couple weeks hopefully. Anybody have that happen before? Or did I miss something?

[fordman]

thats why the crossmemeber is in there. to keep the frame together at that point. you didnt do anything wrong. the frame will sometimes do that when that crossmember comes off.

[Wes]

Have had to use a porta power to wiggle that cross members out a couple of times