Re: alfa-digest V8 #81 - Stuck transmission

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

       I agree with the comments about leaving the long studs in the block to 
help with alignment.  I agree with putting a block of wood on a bottle jack 
to tilt the engine (the motor mounts will flex enough that they do not need 
to be loosened).  And I agree that the old adage "If it don't fit, get a 
bigger hammer" does not work here.
       Do make sure you use a clutch alignment tool.  There is no good way to 
center the clutch disk on an Alfa without one.  If the clutch is not 
centered, the input shaft of the transmission may fit into the clutch disk, 
but it will not go into the pilot bushing on the end of the crankshaft.  If 
the alignment is close, putting the transmission in gear and rotating the 
output shaft can help.
       On one transmission installation, I could not figure out what was 
going on.  I finally pulled the pressure plate and tried to put the input 
shaft from another transmission into the pilot bushing.  Turns out, I had 
mushroomed the end of the pilot bushing when I replaced it.  The plastic 
clutch alignment tool had enough slop that it would still fit into the 
bushing.  It was tight, but not tight enough to tip me to the problem.  The 
actual transmission input shaft would not go into the pilot bushing until I 
drilled it back to the correct size.

       I like to grease all the moving clutch parts with wheel bearing 
grease.  Wheel bearing grease is stiff so it stays in place and high temp so 
it does not melt.  I put it in the pilot bushing, on the splines of the 
transmission input shaft, inside the throw out bearing and on the throw out 
fork fingers and pivot points.  Do not use too much grease as you do not want 
it to fling off and get on the clutch facing.  In addition to lubing the 
parts, it helps prevent rust.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 09/26/2001 11:57:03 AM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:



> 
> Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 10:26:52 -0400
> From: Eric Hambleton <EricHambleton@domain.elided>
> Subject: Stuck!
> 
> Hi all! A question for those who've been there done that:
> 
> I'm replacing the clutch in my Spider ('76) and have reached a roadblock. I
> can't get the transmission to move the final inch or so to mate up with the
> engine. I've checked and rechecked the clutch plate alignment and it's as
> perfectly centered as I could imagine. How perfect does it need to be?

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