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Topic: Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 11/21/02 6:15am Message 1 of 6
Former Member
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ORANGE PARK, FL - USA
Joined: 7/23/2002
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1990 Polo Green Six Speed 1969 Convertible
Here is a funny story for you. I have been trouble with the shifting on my Hurst shifter and Muncie four speed since I last put the transmission back in. I have had a world of problems with my clutch, etc, and was in a rush to get the car on the road the week before Sharkfest this last Summer.

Well, little by little it was getting funny when I shifted and got stuck in second a few times. Nothing I could not jack up the car, pop it out, and keep rocking.

The big block makes enough torque that I can drive 1 to 4 all da long and ignore 2 and 3. About two-three weeks ago I got it stuck in second and just limped it home. I did not even want to touch it until I could get my other Vette out of the workshop.

A buddy came over and talked me into jacking it up and taking a look. Are you ready for this?...................

The bolts that hold the cross member trans mount had all backed out and it had dropped the trans like an inch, and was slamming the shifter against the cross member. DOH!!!!! I must have only put finger strength on those when I last had the trans out and forgot to go back and torque it down. Needless to say I have driven about 600 miles and some of that at wide open throttle with the trans flopping around.........


All is well that ends well!


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Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 11/21/02 9:00am Message 2 of 6
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DOWNINGTOWN, PA - USA
Joined: 11/24/2001
Posts: 962
Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop 454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes 2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior
Good thing you found it before it turned into a major problem. Out of curiosity sake, was your shifter hitting the console in 1st, 3rd or 5th? My console is kinda rounded right in front of 1st and 3rd. Maybe some past owner had the same problem you did?
A question....I really thought my cross member was welded in place. Is your bolt on cross member a stock configuration or did you make it a bolt on for the 6 speed? |headscratch|


Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 11/21/02 6:13pm Message 3 of 6
Former Member
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ORANGE PARK, FL - USA
Joined: 7/23/2002
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1990 Polo Green Six Speed 1969 Convertible
No, it is a welded cross member, but there is a small plate that bolts on to the front of it with 4 5/16" bolts that the trans mount bolts into. This is the plate that got loose.

No problems on the front motion of the shifter.

Yep, I am glad I caught it in time!

Thanks,

Chris


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Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 12/13/02 12:08am Message 4 of 6
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Annapolis, MD - USA
Joined: 11/7/2001
Posts: 225
Vette(s): 1965 white with red stinger Coupe HotRod 1970 Bridgehampton Blue Convertible - NCRS / Stock 2019 Sebring Orange Coupe 3LT Gone but not forgotten: 1987 Yellow Convertible 2003 Yellow Convertible 2007 Atomic Orange Coupe 2007 Lemans Blue coupe
EEgads! That's my biggest fear as I tend to under tighten things. I literally have woken up in the middle of the night because of a scarey dream of me driving down the road with parts just dropping off the car. |cussing| When I redid the rear suspension I double checked every darn bolt on the thing WITH A TORQUE WRENCH. And then I had Greg check them too. And then when I took it in for a rear alignment I had Jose at Tony's Corvette check the critical ones also. |laugh|


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Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 12/25/02 4:34pm Message 5 of 6
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Mansfield, TX - USA
Joined: 12/4/2001
Posts: 110
I need to remove the transmission on my '69 and just read your post. I was wondering if you could give me some advise on removing the transmission.

I read the instructions in the chassis Service Manual - which were only about 8 lines long. Sounds simple, BUT they said something about having to tip the engine to pull the transmission out and to put it back. Did you have to do this???

Is it possible to remove it without loosening the engine mounts?
I have a lift. so I can get it up in the air for easy access.

Thanks,
Jim


Don't forget to tighten all the bolts.....DOH!

Posted: 12/25/02 4:57pm Message 6 of 6
Former Member
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ORANGE PARK, FL - USA
Joined: 7/23/2002
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1990 Polo Green Six Speed 1969 Convertible
*disconnect the battery
*remove the shifter upper handle
*raise the vehicle
*make sure you can support the engine using a jack and a block of wood on the oil pan.
*remove the drive shaft
*remove the trans mount bolts
*remove the trans motor mount
*remove the trans motor mount bracket
*support the trans and raise a tad higher to gain access to the shifter lever mounting bolts.
*unbolt the shifter from the trans, and unbolt the shifter levers on the rod ends.
*Drop the shifter out of the bottom, keep the rods from spinning by putting tape around them on each end, or marking them.
*unbolt the trans from the bellhousing.
*unhook the clutch lever and rods
*wiggle and jiggle the trans back and twist it (I think to the passenger side, ie rotate it)
*slide the trans as far back as it will go, then tilt it down and swing it foward.
*It will just barely slide past the bellhousing (the input shaft will most likely scrape by the bellhousing.
*Now it is ready to slide on foward and out.
*Keep the engine supported with a jack so that you can manipulate the angle as needed to align the trans shaft and clutch up when you reinstall.


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in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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