Put engine in, forgot inspection plate

[migee]

Hey all,

I just finished a rebuild on my 3.0 after having the cam sync go out. I left the inspection plate off thinking I'd slip it between when I had the engine just about in. I forgot. That said, I do not want to lift the engine up and out a bit because I had the worst weekend trying to get the engine to mate fully with the transmission (used bolts without head as guides, hydraulic jack on tranny, tried many angles, spun crankshaft to help splines go in, still took multiple hands and a couple hours). I don't want to do that again as I may not have a second set of hands anytime soon.

My idea, get the tranny to move back enough to clear the dowels so I can finally just get the plate in. The tranny is supported by two long bolts with the hex cut off at the top used as guides still. I dropped the driveshaft from the diff side. Would it be easiest to unbolt the tranny from the crossmember mount and pull the tranny away (there looks to be enough clearance to push back an inch, but not sure how easy it is to shift one of these guys around). Is it easier to just drop the subframe a bit instead with a jack to roll it back?

Also the thing I'm worried about, is this going to be another pain in the ass trying to get it back to the engine? Would it be easy enough to push it towards the engine while under the truck? I'm wondering if the way I'm doing it is still easier than lifting the engine out as it might be easier having both level with each other. Basically, easiest one man approach and any tips for this. There is not enough play in the mounts to clear enough to get the plate in as is.

 

[migee]

Well, no luck. I was able to pull the transmission back however there is no room to put back the inspection plate. It looks like there are slits in the obstruction for the plate but it is too short in what I think was the LCAs. However they would have to be taken out to be rotated and at this point I'm sick of trying to find angle at this problem.

Guess I'll wait until the weekend to pull it out again

 

[det107]

Guess I'll wait until the weekend to pull it out again

How's everything going so far ??

 

[migee]

How's everything going so far ??

Using extended/top cut off bolts at the top as guides I was able to get the motor just far enough apart to get the plate in. I had to make the the upper holes of the plate half open so I could slip it in without needing to remove the guides. The plate is rather important it seems as it aligns the starter among other things.

That said, the engine is back together.... and now I will be dropping the transmission because I used the housing bolts to mate the two. I felt like there was very little pressure but even so something was getting caught and broke. I believe the pilot or clutch was never aligned. Perhaps this was the problem all along, it was never fully together. I don't know why though as an alignment tool was used.

Dropping exhaust and tranny completely today to see extent of damage.

 

[migee]

Tranny off. No visible damage. Everything looks alright... Cant see anything wrong with either side.

Was hoping for something obvious!