Pulling Muncie from bell housing? It doesn't want to come out.

Hi all,

Well, I have the 4 bolts attaching the tranny to the bell housing removed, the crossmember is removed and pushed back to the rear out of the way, the speedo and reverse switch are disconnected, and the parking brake is up on top of the tranny housing. Videos I have watched and the description in the service manual make it seem like it should just slide straight back.

It won't budge. Should I need to pry it loose or something? I tried tapping moderately with a rubber mallet to no avail. I also tried jacking the tranny up slightly to see if that would break it free. I know not to do that too much because it could damage things inside the clutch housing.

Seems like I may have missed something??o No:

 

Sounds like you're there. Probably the input shaft/pilot bushing/clutch disk just binding. I guess you could have someone push the clutch pedal in which would free up the disk and might allow the trans to slide out. If the car hasnt been driven in a long time, I guess the pilot could be frozen in the bushing. Again, push the pedal down and rotate the crank. The trans shouldn't rotate unless the pilot is seized.

 

@Jason: Yes, but perhaps without the necessary enthusiasm. I will go try that now and let you know. Thanks Jason.

@Dano: Thanks for the suggestion. I am alone on this mission at the moment. The car hasn't been driven in 2 years, and then only briefly.

 

Funny, we were posting @ the same time. At the answers were consistent.:beer

 

Ok, I just gave the tail a good shake. Nothing.

If engaging the clutch doesn't do it, how else can I get it off if it is rusted onto the spline?

 

:beers2: I know I am in good hands!

 

I'm WAY rustier (no pun intended) than Jason!

 

Thanks Jason, I will try both of these ideas. I will let you know how I make out.

 

Having to pursuade them gently with a prybar, especially one that hasn't been driven, isn't unheard of or even too unusual. Even if, as Jason recommend, you can remove the pressure plate bolts (essentially same effect as I said of pushing in the pedal) that'll take pressure off the disk if it's binding and allow you access to maybe pry on the disk or spray some penetrating oil onto the splines.if nothing else, it should allow the tns to slide fore and aft slightly & you'll know it's the disk stuck on the splines and not the pilot (& go with a roller pilot bearing when re-assembling)

 

Thanks guys. I tried prying gently where the tranny meets the bell. I could see the slightest bit of give, but I didn't want to force it, given the possibility of marring the housing. I put the 4 bolts back in and will take out the plate and bell housing bolts next. That is a job for tomorrow or the weekend at this point.....

 

You're welcome - Anytime. Try just the pressure plate bolts first -that might be enough, but given that you did see the slightest movement should rule out the pilot being stuck.

 

Will I have a problem getting the pressure plate bolts back in? Are you suggesting that I may not need to remove the bell housing bolts? What I understand you to be saying is that I could remove the plate bolts and then go back and remove the 4 trans bolts and trying pulling it out again. Is that right?

 

Just to help with the load and potential for binding going both in and out, especially with one person, get two more bolts the same size as those for the original mounts. Cut the heads off and screw just studs in so you can slide the trans in and out while resting it on the top studs.

 

You could apply some force to pull the trans backwards. A ratcheting tie-down between the trans and the rear should do it. Leave the trans-bell bolts in place but turned out so the trans doesn't fly off if'n it breaks free.
Put a little pull-force on it with the strap and some tapping with a hammer or rotating the engine might break it free.

 

I would try just the pressure plate bolts first, then if that doesn't work go on to the bellhousing as Jason suggested.

 

My mind is rusty - You're the "expert in obsolete technology" - I'm just getting back into all this and haven't wrenched on cars in a while, but looking forward to it!:beers2: