It's been several months and much has been going on with my 74, and I promised a reply when I finished up the transmission project.
Putting the transmission back in wasn't nearly as difficult as I had been fearing. I took my time, got the new shifter all aligned while the transmission was on the bench, then carefully removed the linkage and the shifter from the transmission, leaving the shifter backplate on the transmission. I wiggled the rear of the transmission up on the crossmember with the transmission on its side (linkage arms down), and hooked an inch of the input shaft on the bell housing. I then rotated the transmission upright, got a transmission jack, and lifted it up to get perfect alignment for sliding into the clutch. Yes, I did put a new clutch in while I had everything apart.
I hate pilot bearings.
After that I got the transmission bolted in all around. Next the two bolts to connect the shifter to the backplate that was still bolted to the transmission. This is where the space was probably the tightest. There's about an inch clearance beside the shifter after its on, so the bolts have to be in the shifter and you just have to squeeze you hand and the some ratchet type box end wrenches in. Finally I put the linkage arms back on and tested the neutral alignment with the pin provided. Getting the shifter arm connected from the top was a bit of an effort - small space to put in two small bolts with large clumsy fingers, but I got it done.
Filled it with fluid (important step!) and that project was finished. Brakes, rollbar, 5-point harness are separate stories.
Cheers,
George
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George Lehmann
Broken Arrow, OK
74 Metallic Red Convertible