TheSamba.com :: View topic - Putting engine back into the bay... improper Fit?

Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:11 am

So I swapped out the tranny on my bug, assembled the rear end back together and started to get the engine back into the bay. While trying to get the engine seated in the bell housing, it will not go in all the way. The gap around the flywheel is pretty tight.

Is there a trick to get this thing seated? Were all of the trannys made to fit this way? I did not pay that close to attention when removing the og tranny.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:14 am

Shake, jiggle, & push. It'll go. Make sure you don't have a cable or something stuck in the way.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:28 am

Always found that it helps to just turn the engine by either the alternator nut or the pulley nut a little. But yeah, give it a hearty shove after making sure nothing is in the way and it should go in.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:46 am

You did make sure to center your clutch?

Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:28 am

Thanx for steering me to a better direction.

purity wrote: You did make sure to center your clutch?

I did not honestly. When the fly wheel is partly in there the bottom bolts are aligned and in their slots. i will look at that, and then give the old "Heave Ho".

Bob Loblaw wrote: Shake, jiggle, & push. It'll go.

LOL. sounds like some women I know...

Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:12 pm

A deep 10mm socket with a bit of tape on the end will work just as well as a clutch alignment tool, just an FYI, sometimes clutch alignment tools only come in package deals and are expensive

Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:20 pm

clutch alignment is the issue. been there done that :(

Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:36 pm

fastinradford wrote: just an FYI, sometimes clutch alignment tools only come in package deals and are expensive
Or you can buy one for under $3...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-7000

Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:42 pm

What year was the new transmission?

Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:13 pm

The tranny is rebuilt. I will look at the numbers later and will be able to tell you.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:57 pm

A Pixel Beetle wrote: The tranny is rebuilt. I will look at the numbers later and will be able to tell you.

Unlikely that this would be the problem. But was thinking that you could have an early IRS transmission and would have a pressure plate/throwout bearing mismatch.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:22 pm

After centering the clutch, the splines on the clutch also need to match up with those on the shaft. Here is how I do it:

Set the e-brake and put the transmission on any gear. The idea is to keep the shaft from turning. Now, use a wrench on the generator nut (or the pulley nut) to turn the crankshaft slightly while applying "some" pressure on the engine. When the splines line up, it will slip right on. Done.

Max

Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:47 pm

Max Welton wrote: After centering the clutch, the splines on the clutch also need to match up with those on the shaft. Here is how I do it:

Set the e-brake and put the transmission on any gear. The idea is to keep the shaft from turning. Now, use a wrench on the generator nut (or the pulley nut) to turn the crankshaft slightly while applying "some" pressure on the engine. When the splines line up, it will slip right on. Done.

Max

it took me a lot of blood, sweat, and tears....and several hours to figure that out a few weeks ago. a little turn on the pulley and it slipped right in....bigtime "d'oh" moment

Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:21 pm

Well I finally got it in there. After pushing to get that in. I noticed I could not move the flywheel at all. Turns out the casting at the opening was smaller around the posts restricting it in. I had to grind out these areas a little and it fit.

Were there different sizes on the bell housing opening? I thought they were all the same.

Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:29 pm

Yes they were prior to 1967 6volt cars used a smaller flywheel. You'd better make sure you have the correct starter bushing in the trans now too!