Front trans crossmember - which way does it come out?

[patrickdotryan]

Hi guys. I have a '72 F250 with a C6. The front trans crossmember (under bellhousing) has bolts, which I removed easily. It can now slide a bit.

Problem is, if I try to remove it forwards it jams hard on the radius arm brackets as the chassis ramps upwards. It also hits the brake distribution block long before it would come out. I tried taking it backwards but it seemed way to big to go that way.

I need to get this done this morning. Which way does this thing come out? Patrick

[patrickdotryan]

Here is where it hits the brake block and a shot from below showing how far forward I can get it before it gets jammed on the radius arm brackets and/or hits the brake block. Help! Patrick

[sargentrs]

I believe you're going to have to totally remove the radius arm bracket, cutting/grinding the rivets, and bolt it back in when done. Might have to remove that brake valve too. Sux, I know, but I don't think you're going to get it out any other way.

[patrickdotryan]

Ok. For those following along that was a PITA. I ended up:
1. Putting a 6' steel crowbar between the radius arms to support the front of the trans.
2. smacking the front crossmember backward until it dropped off the radius arm brackets and slid it as far toward the back crossmember as possible (see photos).
3. This way I could put my trans jack in from the front and push it as far back on the trans pan as possible so it was just touching the now loose front x/m.
4. Jack up and pull the trans forward, up, forward, up until the bellhousing could sit on the big engine crossmember (blanket covering it).
5. With the trans balancing on the engine x/m I moved the trans jack under the front bumper and slid the trans forward and slowly lowered it out and under the front bumper.

WARNING, this is only possible with a C6 bellhousing if the truck is raised up a little as mine is to give enough clearance for a jack and bellhousing. If your truck isn't raised you may need to slide the trans down right on to the ground without a jack. Careful. It's HEAVY like 200lbs.

Thanks everyone for the help. Now to to redoing all the seals and putting it back in!

Patrick

[sargentrs]

Way to persevere!

[patrickdotryan]

hahahaha Randy. Never Ever Give Up!

Just need to actually strip 40 years of grease and leaking seals off it now, that's all!

Patrick

[tnlprt]

That is the whole reason it was suggested that you pull the engine and trans as one unit

[patrickdotryan]

understood Tnlprt. The motor was so oily and it looked like the trans wasn't leaking and I was hoping to let sleeping dogs lie. Also the hoist I was using couldn't do the whole thing. Lesson 100% learned though! I'll get a taller, stronger hoist with a leveler and in future always do motor and trans as one unit. Would have saved me a lot of time and agony. Good thing about this forum is everyone else can learn from my lesson!
Patrick