i am about to swap the transmission on my 1982 sx4 dose anyone have any good tips to help with a smooth process i have never had much luck with big project in the past and with many set backs including having my #1 friend and co mechanic die. so i am now about to attempt a project alone that even scared me when i had his help so any tips to help me avoid disaster would be great thanks guys
1. Find a buddy to help, who knows their way around tools and understands the concept of a lot of weight having the possibility to suddenly fall in a bad way.
2. Buy a floor transmission jack from Harbor Freight, they're about 80 bucks, and it's WELL WORTH IT! It has the same profile or so of a floor jack, but has a large ratchet strap and a sort of trough for the trans to sit in.
3. Don't be afraid to disconnect and remove things to get them out of your way. it will take less time for you to remove those things than it will for you to attempt to work around them. The exhaust is one of those.
4. LONG extensions, and wobbly sockets (they're like universal joint sockets, but use a ball socket style swivel instead and are FAR better)
5. Penetrating lube
6. Purple power, an hour and 5 dollars in quarters at the car wash. Wash the everloving heck out of the underside and behind the cylinder head and everywhere you plan to be before you start. It sucks having hands so greasy they can't grip tools.
7. If you are swapping just the trans, drain your transfer case, and transmission to the best of your ability before you start, or you will have something the word mess just isn't strong enough to describe. If it's a manual, there are parts stores that sell cheap hand vacuum pumps.
8. If it's a manual, a torque wrench is a must. Find a 3/8" drive, lower torque range but also more accurate at that lower range. You will also need a clutch centering tool, even if you are not removing the pressureplate, because the weight of the transmission halfway out of the clutch assembly can, at an angle, cause the input shaft to force the clutch disc out of alignment and you'll never get it back in.
9. Take one bolt out of the very middle of one side of your bellhousing, where it bolts directly to the block, not at the top or part way up, but the very middle where the alignment dowels sit. Go to Lowes and find that same bolt in a size one half inch larger. It will greatly help in sucking the transmission back up to the engine, as long as you don't use those bolts primarily. It must be lined up properly first.
10. Unbolt your torque converter through your starter hole, after removing the starter, if automatic. This will require you to hand crank the engine to rotate to each bolt, but it's the best way to avoid cracking the torque converter shaft.
11. If you enjoy a good brew, keep a six pack handy (just one) for you and your buddy to share.
Topic: transmission swap tips (Read 6072 times)