Tranny Install blues....

[270]

Ok, you guys maybe can talk me off of the roof. I haven't decided to drink or jump, but I might do both...

 

I am re installing the tranny after the spline lube I performed some time ago. Work/family/life conspired to make this project last a few weeks instead of a day, but no worries. I've done these plenty of times before, so it's no big wow.

 

Here is the catch this time; I cannot get the transmission to match back up with the motor. I cannot for the life of me figure out why, although I have some suspicions.

 

-I did make a couple of guide pins which I have installed where the locating dowels are on the engine block, at the lower right and upper left.

 

-I cannot find my clutch alignment tool (I think I loaned it, but I can't remember to whom I loaned it to...dammit)but eyeball looks like it's aligned well enough to get the input shaft into the clutch hub.

 

-No wires or anything seem to be hanging it up, and I even removed the battery box bumpers just to see if that was the issue. It wasn't.

 

-The input shaft goes into the clutch hub about 1/4 but no farther as the transmission then hangs on the two dowels.

 

-My thoughts are that the clutch is still misaligned just enough to keep the transmission from sliding all the way in. I might try loosening the clutch bolts to finger tight which will allow the friction plate to float as I mate the transmission and the block together. I should be able to torque the clutch up through the starter hole...or maybe not.

 

I've been futzing with this for hours over a couple of days. I'm sure it's something easy that I'm just not seeing, but I'm close to hoping for a disasterous garage fire after I've removed the important stuff

 

Any words of wisdom from the peanut gallery?

[Boffin]

A technique I used on my Guzzi was to have the clutch bolts gust gripping the plate, then I wiggled the tranny into place. Then I pulled it again - torqued up the cluth and re-fitted the tranny again. Of course, the tranny on a Guzzi V35 is a lot lighter than the Beemers.

 

Andy

[smiller]

A technique I used on my Guzzi was to have the clutch bolts gust gripping the plate, then I wiggled the tranny into place. Then I pulled it again - torqued up the cluth and re-fitted the tranny again. Of course, the tranny on a Guzzi V35 is a lot lighter than the Beemers.

That's what I do as well. It insures a perfect alignment (although not sure that matters much with the floating clutch plate design on the oilheads) and makes final assembly easier. Managing the transmission isn't difficult if you are using a set of guide pins (which I assume you are.) Leave the clutch bolts loose and then snug them up through the starter hole once the transmission is mated. Then remove the tranny, torque the clutch bolts to spec and reinstall.

[270]

Thanks guys! I was hoping that would be the solution. I've haven't been this frustrated with a mechanical problem in years!

[LJR]

If you didn't take the clutch apart, it's still lined up.

 

I use a floor jack under the trans when taking it out and putting it back in. Lot's easier on the back.

[smiller]

If you didn't take the clutch apart, it's still lined up.

Oops, yeah, that got by me. If all you did was a spline lube there should be no need to mess with clutch alignment.

[Stan Walker]

Have you put the tranny into gear and rotated the output shaft while doing this? It can help to line up the input shaft splines.

 

Also I find it easier to center the clutch disc using the outer edge of the clutch disc setback from the pressure plate. It should be even all the way around.

 

Even though you take the clutch apart it is possible to have exerted side forces on the disc to move it off center.

 

Stan

[Bill Dennes]

Did you grease the guide pins? This makes a real difference.

[NonComp]

I think that the textbook response is that you will also want to replace the clutch bolts if you loosen them because they stretch.