transmission help

[wayfarerstranger]

hello need a little input , i took the tranny out of my 50 wayfarer convertible to replace the throwout bearing and i`m having a hell of a time getting it back in because the x frame is in the way .. really had a hard time just getting the bearing lined up and if the tranny doesn`t go in smooth it knocks the bearing off of the fork , and this damn thing is heavy , it has to go in at an angle because of the frame which makes its difficult . does any body have any tricks on how to do this .

[greg g]

Not familiar withthe convertible but maybe if you loosened the rear motor mounts and Jacked up the engine you might gain a bit of room. Also some long bolts witht he heads cut off to ast as guides slides help. Have you removed the center panel of the floor to give you some access form above?

The earlier models have a bolted in center section in the floors that give assess to the top of the bellhousing transmission. Removeing this shuld make you job much easierm as you can lift from the top as well as push up from the bottom.

[Young Ed]

I don't think the post 48 models have that removable floor. I know plymouths don't. Certainly should be able to loosen the mounts and tilt the engine as Greg mentioned. Its been a while since we put the OD in dads 51 ply convert. I don't recall having any issues with the cross member though. Sure makes the drive shaft interesting to reinstall though.

[wayfarerstranger]

thanx for the input , unfortunately the floor does not have a removeble panel which would be great & maybe i`ll put one in sometime. . thought about a home made trans jack adapter but it need to tilt because of the x frame the trans is longer than the space it goes in ,,on a non covertible car you can jack up then slde in . i`ve done this before and got lucky just lifted the trans up and it went in perfect must have been a miracle cause this damn thing is heavy and hard to lift when u r on you back and not much room to work with . " it would be easier to remove the engine install the trans and reinstall in one piece " i`ve made several attempts this time around no luck yet keeps knocking off the bearing . if it was on a lift it would be easier , i think i`ll go check out a small trans jack or an adapter , maybe a group prayer is in order . by the way i have the cus cus cus down to a science .

[Normspeed]

I bought a small scissors type trans jack from harbor freight and it made the job much simpler on my non-convertible 53. I was able to go really slow, adjusting the angle and height as I moved the tranny forward. I don't suppose the X frame can be unbolted?

The two spring clips that hold the bearing on the fork may be bent to where they are weak. If you can easily remove the fork maybe you could figure a way to tighten up the spring clips. Or, I'm just throwing out a shade tree thought, maybe temporarily secure the bearing to the fork with something that will self destruct later, like a thin zip tie, or piece of monofilament?

[49roadster]

I have removed and installed the trans. in my '49 roadster which should be very much like your '50. I used the cut off bolts. I used 3 the upper ones 6" long and one for the rt. lower that was 3". This gives room to wiggle as you get it started then holds it stright as it slides in place.. Cut a slot in the outter ends of the bolts and you can use a screwdriver to help remove. A long screwdriver all the way from the back for the upper left.

Ross

[greg g]

When I did my trans I used allen headed cap bolts for the upper fasteners. These are a lot easier to deal with than a standard hex head. I put a bit of plumbers putty on the end of the allen head bit and used a couple of long extensions, the putty held the bolt on while I lined up and got the threads started.

[wayfarerstranger]

thanx for all the input .. but i`m still having lots of trouble ,, got the guide bolts in , got a small scissor trans jack got it on it and up in the air put still can`t get it to line up and go in , if i wiggle to much it knocks the bearing back off and got to start over , getting ready to try again maybe the 100th time is the charm .. again thanx for your input ..

[Merle Coggins]

Did you, by chance, depress the clutch at all with the trans out? If so maybe your clutch disc is slightly missaligned causing your difficulty. Make sure the clutch disc is centered properly before you try again.

[Don Coatney]

If I understand you correctly the transmission tail shaft hits the cross member as you try to lift and install the transmission. Have you tried to lift the tail shaft up and over the cross member then moving the transmission towards the rear of the car letting the transmission hang on the cross member for a few moments of rest. Then lift the front of the transmission and align and guide the transmission-input shaft into the throw out bearing insuring everything is straight and level. Finally by “feel” slip the transmission input shaft into the pilot bushing and bring everything home. (I am assuming you have centered the clutch disc to the pilot bushing by appropriate means)

[wayfarerstranger]

i`ve spent a week on this **** thing it ain`t going to happen . i think i`ll just pull the engine it will be easier ... or maybe i can get someone to come help me push it in the river !!

[Young Ed]

post your location. Maybe someone is close by and can come help

[wayfarerstranger]

near nashville tn

[Taylormade]

I'm glad you told us about this. I'm starting work on my 50 roadster and will be sure to get the drivetrain ironed out before I put the body back on the frame. Wish I was a little closer, I'd come over and give you a hand.

I'm still trying to decide if I should go with a stock engine and trans with a newer rearend for highway driving or drop in the 270 Red Ram Hemi I found last year. This little Hemi should fit like a glove, but these roadsters are rare and I don't want to chop up anything that can't be brought back to original with little, if any, work. The current six in the car is a 54 engine, so I'm not ripping up an original.

RT

[wayfarerstranger]

Put That Ram In It !!! Leave It All Stock Looking It Will Be More Valuable . I Might Look For A Couple Of These Myself , There Is A Dude Out In California Who Put A Redram In His 50 Dodge Woodie Looked Great !! If I Can`t Find Any I`ll Still Need Another Dodge Engine Setup For A 49 Roadster I Have Stashed Away , I Have A Couple Of Very Nice Ply Setups But Unless I Cut Out The Trans Mount And Replace It With A Ply Mount & Also Move It Forward About 5 Inches They Won`t Fit ??didn`t Relize This When I Bought Them . Don`t Know If I Should Sell One Or Both Of Them , Or Just Sell One & Keep A Spare For My Ply Woodie . Or Maybe I Can Do A Swap With Someone Or Maybe Build An Old 30`s Model Ply Ratrod ?? Lot`s Of Possibilties, I Also Have A 52 Wayfarer Coupe I Could Rip The Engine Out Of It & Sell The Body To Somebody Wanting To Built A Street Rod O Something.. Anyway Thanx & We Will Be Intouch