Alright, here's the deal. I pulled my entire drivetrain for cleanup/rebuilding. I've got the engine back in and running, and hopefully tomorrow if I'm feeling better I am going to swap out the bad gears in my transmission so I can get it put back in. My question is this-What is the easiest way to get the Z bar (clutch linkage) in with the engine already in place? Will I need to unbolt one/both mounts and lift it, or can I work it in there with the engine bolted down? Also, is there anything I need to take into special consideration when reinstalling the transmission (SROD, so no external linkage). Its been about 6 years since I did this. Thanks for any help.
When installing the Z bar in my 67 Stang, it was easiest to slip it into place without the frame side mount bolted in. Once it was in, then I slipped the frame side mount in place and bolted it down.
I was thinking the same thing, but with the block side mount off. There probably is more room to work with the frame side though.
And it's still a pain...if you have headers. But yes, take it apart and have the bolts out of the frame mount. The two bolts holding down the frame mount is a total pain to get to also because the steering box is in the way. After studying the situation over I made me a small door from the tire side into the apron that allowed me to reach in and put my fingers on the two bolts. I can now put a socket or wrench on the bolts with ease. I made the door so that I can open or close it. It still almost takes two sets of hands to do this job. Good luck with it.
I'm learning that having headers doubles the time it takes to do anything in the engine bay. Dropping the engine in, changing the starter, changing spark plugs....
Because of this fact, was the reason the first mod I did after removing the engine from my Comet was to cut the shock towers back. Header install went like a hot knife thru butter. I learnt my lessons with the 67 Big block Stang.
Ray Would it make a little easier to install studs in place the bolts in the frame mount?????????????????????????? Jay
Jay, It probably would help. It's just that it's so friggin awkward and hard to reach when the engine is still in the car and the steering box is right in the way. With the door I made it might be a pretty easy task.
