Dropping trans out of 53 cranbrook

[visialyimpared]

My freeze plug inside my bellhousing went today. Does anyone know if this can be accessed without pulling the motor? Can I drop the trans and bell housing instead and replace it from there? What does that process look like? Where/how do I find freeze plugs that will fit?

[garbagestate 44]

Since the bellhousing carries the rear mounts, I guess you would have to block up the rear of the motor to take it out. I don't know if much changed by 53 but I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

[milo9rat]

The trans crossmember in my 53 Cambridge is welded to the frame.. I don't see how just the trans can come out...

Edited September 30, 2019 by milo9rat

[keithb7]

I recently pulled a bell housing and learned a couple of things. Yes the tranny would have to come out. I assume you have a manual tranny with a dry clutch? Bell housing cannot come off without removing clutch presure plate. Then flywheel too. Then bell housing can come off. 

 

Was it one of these rear upper block frost plugs?

 

 

Edited September 30, 2019 by keithb7

[Andydodge]

Welcome aboard........as far as I know all the plugs are 1 & 5/8th.......I always replace steel plugs with brass, they never rust out .......but if the rear crossmember doesn't unbolt then I'm thinking that maybe pulling the engine might be the easiest option..........as even with the bellhousing etc off you still may not have enough clearance to remove let alone replace the plug as you have to be able to hit it with enough force to flatten the centre.......the last thing you want is to find that its leaking again..............ain't old cars fun?.............lol.................andyd   

[Go Fleiter]

definitly: I too recommend to pull engine out.

Plugs are prone to headache, if not replaced perfectly!

And You must have good sight and access to do so!

Don´t forget to make many fotos, they will speed up remounting

engine + trans!

Another hint: if revised long ago, take the cylinder head off  and inspect valves and cylinders.

If engine out, rebuilding it is easy to add to the worklist!!

Greetings from Düsseldorf!

Go

[chrysler1941]

Or leave the engine and use  one of these 

Edited September 30, 2019 by chrysler1941

[John Reddie]

Hello and welcome. If this were my car, I would remove the engine and replace all of the freeze plugs. Much easier to set them in this way. As was said, these plugs can be a headache and if one is leaking, the others probably aren't much better. With the engine out and all the plugs removed, you can flush out the cooling passages too. On one of my Plymouth's, I changed all the plugs and cleaned and painted the engine before putting it back. Good luck to you.

John R