Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

I'm going to remove Trans on my 48 Ford Conv. If I cut the rivets and remove rear trans support can you lower the trans. down through frame. It says in book to remove it up into interior of car. Seams can of heavy to do it by myself. Thanks

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

do it as the book says, dont hack up the frame

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Oh my goodness. DO NOT REMOVE ANY RIVETS. You will destroy the integral strength of your frame. Your convertible will never be the same and you will regret what you did.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

It is not a difficult job to do correctly. The transmission might weigh 60# or so.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

FoMoCo even had a little hoist frame to pull transmissions up into the passenger compartment for certain models with heavier transmissions. If a guy has a cherry picker type hoist you can do it by yourself without too much trouble then just roll it back out of the car.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Here is the true and correct method:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps04abdcee.jpg

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e753dab.jpg

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1c8a76f4.jpg

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

And, here's how to remove the rear axle to remove the transmission (skp the last two sentences):

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6fc9c164.jpg

Won't need the first two sentences of this:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps089d5c61.jpg

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

I lifted my trans through the floor by myself--not that heavy.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

And, here's how to disconnect the spring from the rear axle to remove the axle to remove the transmission:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4027b852.jpg

Here's how I disconnect the springs without a spring spreader using a bottle jack:

After resting the frame on jack stands so the wheels are off the ground I leave the axle hanging on the shock absorbers and lift one end of the spring with a bottle jack just enough to take the pressure off of the shackle bolts. Nuts can be removed before or after placing the bottle jack.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_4009.jpg

Then remove the shackle from one side.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_4010.jpg

Then the other side. (Spring end did not budge a bit - held by the bottle jack.)

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_4011.jpg

Lower the bottle jack and the spring slowly reaches it's limit of where it wants to bend to. No "boing" or nothin'.:)

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_4012.jpg

(Reverse procedure for installation)

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Oops. Just realized OP alread has the book.
Oh well, maybe someone interested doesn't.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

As the saying goes... a job worth doing, is worth doing right. Make sure you take precautions to keep oil/grease from getting on the upholstery. I have lifted plenty of these transmissions in/out over the years by myself. You can make straps to go around the case to help in removal. Two people would make the job easier for sure.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Just use a cherry picker if it's too heavy, should be even easier on a conv since you can put the top down.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Removing the Transmission can be done through the floor by removing the rear axle or removing the engine with the transmission attached. Either way you have to wrestle with the u-joint and the engine rear support connection. I have done it both ways. They both take a lot of work. I like removing the engine method. You save your interior and can do a little detailing on the engine and engine compartment while its out. JMO

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Unfortunately there are no short cuts, particularly cutting rivets. Often what appears the longest way is in fact quicker in the long run. it doesn't take too much to remove the rear axle even without a hoist. Pulling the interior is often more delicate to get it all back as it was. Sometimes even removing the seat gives added room to get to the trans u joint etc.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

For my two best tips see post #12.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=verytangled

-VT/JeffH

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

NO>>NO>>NO>> out through the top is the way to go. and to pull the rear end back, drop it from the frame with four bolts ( center ) and break lines,,, do not take the spring off the read end. BIG hazard ( the spring ) coming off and back on ...ouchie...take the front seat out, now with room to work, its a one man job, or buy a sixpack and call a buddy... you need to support the back of the engine, also need to be able to raise and lower the engine, as you move the trans back and out, ..watch the back of the engine and the firewall, ( fuel line, oil pressure sender,wires, and ect)... its all doable .... OLD....BILL

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

I just did a transmission job on our '39 coupe and helped with a similar job on a '41. Both times, we removed the transmission thru the passenger compartment. We didn't even need to remove the seats. It is nice to have another set of hands, though, to help because of the tight space and wiggling required.

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

It came up through floor good after I remove universal joint. Thanks for the help. Now to drop oil pan to fix clutch.
steve

Re: Removing Trans. on 48 Conv.
 

Steve: again No>no>No.... you can pull the clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing, what we call an R & R ... and the pan stays on,,, now if "to fix the clutch" you need the replace the starter ring, resurface flywheel, the pan comes off.... always ask questions, and get a book, old motors manual is full of information on old cars ..... find on e-bay ....OLD.....BILL