Whos put a clutch in?

**LUGNUTT** · 04-25-2007, 04:35 PM

I am putting a clutch in my 99 Transam. I am having problems getting it back in. The bellhousing hits the transmission tunnel before the input shaft can even get close to going through the pressure plate. I fought this thing for an hour, now I have dents from the transmission bellhousing on the trans tunnel

!
Any suggestions?

**blue02Z** · 04-25-2007, 06:24 PM

are you putting the thing back together with the bell housing already on the trans???

**Mr. Luos** · 04-25-2007, 06:47 PM

Sounds like it.
Put the bellhousing on the motor...then try it.

Make sure the clutch disc is centered as well. Alignment tool has to slide in and out easily. Had that problem before...tool fit but the shaft wouldn't.

**blue02Z** · 04-26-2007, 04:01 AM

yeah, i had the same problem gettin the shaft stabbed.

like Mr. Luos said, put the bellhousing on the engine first. which will also make gettin to your bolts alot easier, then stab the tranny

**LUGNUTT** · 04-26-2007, 04:54 AM

I was reading the factory manual, of course they say just stick it in!
That would make alot more sense. Wow, see thats why forums are so cool!

I was putting it in with the bell housing in place. The factory manual probably assumes you have the motor out of the car.
Thanks guys, thats a big help. I cant believe I didnt think of that

!

**blue02Z** · 04-27-2007, 03:48 AM

no prob bob

**Big Will** · 04-27-2007, 12:18 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but wasn't there something about marking the flywheel so you can put it in at the same spot? Or does it not matter if the parts are new?

**secondgearscratch** · 04-29-2007, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Big Will

Not to hijack the thread, but wasn't there something about marking the flywheel so you can put it in at the same spot? Or does it not matter if the parts are new?

ive never heard of that. shouldnt have to because it doesnt affect timing. maybe just marking clearances of the flywheel. ill wait though till someone who knows absolutely answers....

**Jon7I2** · 04-29-2007, 07:16 PM

Also, make sure ur trans. will easily slide back onto the bellhousing when it is off the car or in a easily accessible area. I bolted the belhousing to the engine, torqued it down and then realized it was nearly impossible to fit the pins of the bellhousing back into the trans. holes. Then we had to rip it down again sand the pins some, make sure it fit off the car and put it back together. Save urself a lot of swearing and overall frustration by just checking that first.

**blackbird33** · 05-02-2007, 09:00 AM

i jacked the back of the transmission up and used a board to pry the shaft in

**LUGNUTT** · 05-02-2007, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by secondgearscratch

ive never heard of that. shouldnt have to because it doesnt affect timing. maybe just marking clearances of the flywheel. ill wait though till someone who knows absolutely answers....

There actually is a hole in the flywheel that lines up to a hole in the crankshaft. No threads on either hole.
Bu, I dont think it would make a difference. The flywheel is supposed to be zero balanced.

On another note, I got my trans back in today. The bellhousing trick did the job!! Thanks again guys!
I'll tell ya, bleeding the clutch was a pain in the Butt!!

**LUGNUTT** · 05-02-2007, 06:17 PM

Oh, dont forget about the old alignment trick. I installed long all-thread into two of the bellhousing bolt holes, then slid the trans onto them to help line everything up. I did it by myself on the floor, worked like a champ!!