JMcFly’s XLT Simple Restoration and Mods

[franklin2]

That’s sort of my plan. I was going to cut above the door section on each side and get a good chunk of metal. I don’t think I need to do the entire roof.

I see spot welds on the metal that remains. I’d just have to fab up the missing part with donor metal.

Just be warned, if you weld on that large expanse of metal near the flat part of the roof, it's going to warp and require some body filler.

 

[JMcFly]

I’m stuck on getting the transmission back in.

The clutch kit came with an adjustable clutch so I set it and put it in. What I removed was a non adjustable.

Am I doomed for failure to get the transmission in? I can see the trans input shaft is right in between the pressure plate fingers but I can’t get it to slide home. I’ve got a clear shot I think. No hang ups on the body.


I tapped the new pilot bearing in but I’m not sure how deep it is supposed to go. I tapped it in until it was below the hole it goes in on the crank

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've never had a trans just slide into place. Always a struggle. Shift it side to side, up and down. Give yourself a full body workout.
Also hope you got the clutch centered...

 

[JMcFly]

I used the alignment tool and jut redid it and the clutch disc looks pretty good. Looks pretty centered

I feel like I’m fighting the space cylinder. I cracked the bleeder to see if that will help let it compress


I’m also a string bean build so I don’t have a lot of mass to fight this thing.

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

You don't need to compress anything to seat the trans. Keep wiggling it around. Put it in gear and spin the output shaft.

Once the input shaft is in the clutch disc, don't let the trans slide backwards until you have a few bolts in.

 

[JMcFly]

Is the adjustable pressure plate possibly too tall?

4th time redid the alignment tool and made sure it was very centered in the pressure plate.

The pilot bearing is bottomed out so that’s not causing an issue.

Nothing is blocking the trans. I keep spinning the tail shaft to move splines and nothing.

I can look up and see the input shaft is pretty darn lined up with the splines

I’m about to throw in the towel and call a mobile mechanic to finish this crap.

 

[RobbieD]

Put it in gear and spin the output shaft.

That has worked for me before.

I also use two 6" long bolts, that I thread into the block with the tranny close. They support the trans in a good alignment while I do the wiggle thing, and then they get pulled and replaced with the right bolts after the trans slides home.

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

Is the adjustable pressure plate possibly too tall?

I doubt it. The input shaft should be hitting the disc before the slave hits the pressure plate. I assume if the plate is too tall, it would resist snugging up to the engine later.

You're probably just not getting it lined up exactly straight with the clutch disc. It kind of sucks.

I put it on a trans jack with the angle maxed out, stick the front of the input shaft vaguely in the clutch, then pick the back of the trans up and do the wiggle/spin while pushing forward. If it refuses to go, I back off and reseat the front from scratch.

 

[JMcFly]

I doubt it. The input shaft should be hitting the disc before the slave hits the pressure plate. I assume if the plate is too tall, it would resist snugging up to the engine later.

You're probably just not getting it lined up exactly straight with the clutch disc. It kind of sucks.

I put it on a trans jack with the angle maxed out, stick the front of the input shaft vaguely in the clutch, then pick the back of the trans up and do the wiggle/spin while pushing forward. If it refuses to go, I back off and reseat the front from scratch.

I may try that again. I had to angle it up to clear a piece of the sheet metal before lifting.


I’m pretty darn sure the pressure plate is as center as it can be. I’ll put the new pressure plate back on tomorrow and try again

I also can’t get a good grip/lift on the trans since I have the jack stands kind of where the trans mount is but on the frame not sure where else I can safely put them

 

[JMcFly]

That has worked for me before.

I also use two 6" long bolts, that I thread into the block with the tranny close. They support the trans in a good alignment while I do the wiggle thing, and then they get pulled and replaced with the right bolts after the trans slides home.

Any recollection on what the thread is? Might go and get some at Lowe’s or ace tomorrow if they have them

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've run a rachet strap from frame rail to rail and tighten it to get the trans somewhat level. Then it's much easier to shove it around and hopefully get it in place

 

[JMcFly]

I want to try wiggling the tail shaft. Someone I know said it looks like it’s getting stuck on the splines.

It’s hard to wiggle the trans and spin the tail shaft since it’s just splines