First sbc install here, and I cant get them to mate up for the life of me.

Have the trans jacked up to the tunnel, engine mounts off for more play room and no matter what I do, it wont slide on all the way. Any tips for this install?

0010 (late 70's) 350 onto a t-5 btw.

 

Seems to be easiest to install the tranny to the engine out of the car; or install the engine in the car, then mate the transmission to it.

Of course, if you don't have the clutch disk aligned, nothing is going to work.

 

Pulling trans aint really an option as I have to have the car outta the shop ina couple days.

I aligned, and re aligned the clutch.

 

the way i always install engines into vehicles with manual trans(GM rear wheel drive drivetrains like these anyways) is i put the pressure plate assembly and the clutch disc onto the tranny input shaft and then put the engine into the vehicle and then get undeneath and put in the six pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts

spinning the engine around a few times to evenly tighten up the bolts


also make sure the fork didnt fall and get in the way crooked

 

I find it EXTREMELY easy to do what you are doing. I much prefer that, to any other method.

Put the BH, fork, TOB, etc. onto the trans; don't put the hydraulics on the BH just yet; align the clutch with an alignment tool. Loosen the trans mount, pull the trans as far to the front as it will go, and raise it up to the tunnel. Should just drop right together. Always does for me anyway. As easy as an automatic.

 

Try putting the tranny in 4th and have an assistant turn the driveshaft to help line up the splines. You'll have to get the rear end off the ground of course.

 

I can get the splines lined up to twhere the car will move with i spin the crank. The pilot bearing or whatever wont though.

 

These still wont mate up the last 1/2". Splines are on there, but wont slip in.

 

Sounds like the last obstacle to overcome, is getting the trans pilot to go into the bushing/bearing.

Assemble the clutch hydraulics; have somebody hold the clutch down while you wiggle, move, and whatever else the engine and trans together, tightening bell housing bolts BY HAND as the parts slip together. Make sure they're as straight as possible with respect to each other, so that the trans is pointed directly into the pilot.

You'll find that once they line up and start going together, they'll mate right up the rest of the way easily.

 

Your other possibility is an incorrect/damaged pilot bushing. If the pilot tool inserts properly, you might want to inspect the input shaft on the trans.

 

Well I started pulling the trans today and will finish tomorrow. I'll get back to you on condition of the pilot bushing and I gotta bleed my clutch to engage it, it doesnt have enough pressure to move anything when I press the pedel.