Tremec install

[chargedup68]

So I have a TKO 600 to mount up to my 440 and I am getting stuck about a quarter inch from having it fully seated.  Being only a quarter of an inch I believe the snout must be in the pilot bearing.  I have been warned not to snug it on using the bolts for risk of busting the mounting ears off the trans.  I installed a brand new pilot bearing, runout was measured at .005 and in tolerance, and re-checked the clutch alignment.  After 2 plus hours of trying to seat it I am at a loss for what I am getting stuck on. I am thinking about loosening the bell hosing on the motor and seeing if I can get it mounted to the trans and getting it aligned with the bellhousing attached to see if that is where I am getting stuck.  Any ideas?

[BLK 68 R/T]

Is the input shaft bottoming out in the crankshaft? Is your crank drilled to accept a manual trans?

[chargedup68]

I believe so, it all mounted up and fit together without the pilot bearing, fly wheel, and clutch in it.

[BLK 68 R/T]

Try getting it in as far as it will go. Then have someone disengage the pressure plate and see if the trans will go the rest of the way in.

[XH29N0G]

I'll mention just in case, but am pretty sure you are not running into the issue I did because the car was up on stands (not a lift) and I was lifting with a homemade cradle and floor jack), which was related in some way to the way it was lining up - not straight on, but at a slight angle which a friend's kid saw (not me).  In my case, I had to drop the tailshaft to get it to line up and then it fit.  At that time I knew the clutch and pilot should be OK because it had come out from that spot.

[Bronzedodge]

I hope you don't have a cast crank.  Some had a shallow hole IIRC.  Try backing off the bolts about 3/4 turn, then take a socket to the crank at the front, give it a few turns.  You might need another person to guide the transmission while you do this.

[chargererik]

Are you using a hydraulic release bearing from Silversport/ Keisler? I have experienced this as well and the problem was the port for the hydraulic line on the release bearing was sticking out past the enge of the front bearing retainer, machined it flush with the bearing retainer and it went in pretty smooth.

[chargedup68]

I am running a lakewood bellhousing and a mcleod 1400 hydraulic clutch so I don't think that is the issue.  It has a new forged stroker crank in it so that shouldn't be the problem either.  I have been workin on it with a lift and adjusting the angle of the engine and tail shaft to no avail with multiple jacks and straps.  I am going to take another crack at it in the morning and take everything apart and start from square one.

[XH29N0G]

If you take it apart, you can inspect, measure, and rule out the possibility that the travel is limited by the space available.

[chargedup68]

I took it all apart and found the clutch plate had shifted and the bearing wasn't quite square.  Realigned everything and it slipped right in.  Thanks for all the advice!