Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-21-2020, 01:30 PM   #1
mhaim
Junior Member
 
mhaim's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Marblehead MA
Posts: 29
Default Which is easier

Want to replace the transmission in my 34 with a 39 unit I have. Which is easier. Pull the engine or the rear end. Thanks. Bill
mhaim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 01:58 PM   #2
Charlie ny
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,019
Default Re: Which is easier

Unless you just love lining up the grill and rad again I'd remove the rear and go that way.
Charlie
Charlie ny is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-21-2020, 02:31 PM   #3
hotrodart
Senior Member
 
hotrodart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Posts: 220
Default Re: Which is easier

I have always pulled the axle to remove the trans.......never even thought about pulling the engine......axle out seems easier to me......
hotrodart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 02:59 PM   #4
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: Which is easier

Oh yeah, pull the rear back. It's especially easy if you still have mechanical brakes.
You only need to roll it back about 6" or so.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 03:14 PM   #5
RKS.PA
Senior Member
 
RKS.PA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Marana, AZ
Posts: 1,192
Default Re: Which is easier

Agree pulling the rear is the easier of the two, but any chance you'd be wanting to rebuild the engine any time soon?
RKS.PA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 05:22 PM   #6
slowforty
Senior Member
 
slowforty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tinley Park Ill
Posts: 1,055
Default Re: Which is easier

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
If you have hydraulic brakes put a longer flex line going to the torque tube . Then you can move the assembly back with out having to bleed the brakes.
slowforty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 10:43 PM   #7
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
Default Re: Which is easier

Pulling the rear is easier, but you miht hav issues with some engine related parts. Kill two birds with one transmission. Ya have to think lazy.
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2020, 11:03 PM   #8
mhaim
Junior Member
 
mhaim's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Marblehead MA
Posts: 29
Default Re: Which is easier

Rear end it is. Thanks for the help. Bill
mhaim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 07:40 AM   #9
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: Which is easier

how good is the clutch? when was the last time the flywheel was resurfaced?
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 09:14 AM   #10
54vicky
Senior Member
 
54vicky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 586
Default Re: Which is easier

Quote:
Originally Posted by slowforty View Post
If you have hydraulic brakes put a longer flex line going to the torque tube . Then you can move the assembly back with out having to bleed the brakes.
if he does that it will allow air to enter so he will need to bleed brakes anyway.
54vicky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 09:23 AM   #11
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: Which is easier

Quote:
Originally Posted by 54vicky View Post
if he does that it will allow air to enter so he will need to bleed brakes anyway.
Yeah, but not the next time.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 09:47 AM   #12
cas3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,543
Default Re: Which is easier

if you are a metal fabber guy, here's a top cover i made to make the job easier. when pulling the trans out the floor you are in an awkward position, and nothing to grab on to, and...they are heavy. this is simple to make, and now you have a handle. used for painting cases too
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0729.JPG (116.1 KB, 39 views)

Last edited by cas3; 08-22-2020 at 12:04 PM. Reason: add
cas3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 09:58 AM   #13
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,013
Default Re: Which is easier

I've done it both ways - probably too many times! LOL. I've come to the conclusion that I much prefer to pull the engine/trans as one unit. This just makes working on the whole package (clutch, flywheel, throw-out bearing) much easier and I do a better job when I can see things, not have to do all my work on a damn 'creeper', etc.. In most situations, if I need to swap out the trans, I may also need to resurface the flywheel, put in a new clutch, etc.. It is a whole lot easier to do all that work and then mount the transmission to the engine (prior to putting it all back in) - while BOTH are out and the engine is mounted on a side-mount engine stand. You can rotate the block so the bell-housing is up, then easily drop the transmission right onto it.

Also, I can do it MUCH faster. I can have the engines/trans out in about 2 hours - with a lot less crawling around on the floor . . .
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 11:11 AM   #14
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,779
Default Re: Which is easier

"Easiest way" might depend on what tools you have and how much empty space is in your workspace. I pulled the engine out of my Dearborn wagon after only 7 miles without removing anything but the fan and radiator to swap out the junk new TO bearing. I now test new TO bearings on my drill press before trusting they are good.
In this case I left the trans in and used 4 4" bolts with the heads cut off and screwdrivers slots cut into the back , screwed into the block and a floor jack under the trans to adjust the angle. These "line up pins" made it very easy to mate the engine back to the trans. Nothing scraped or damaged.
Now that I am 70 I find concrete floors less forgiving then when I was younger! I usually pull the trans with the engine. A QUALITY device to level and change the angle of your attachment to the engine is crucial.
I understand not wanting to mess with the front end sheet metal of a 33-34 if you don't have a good way of pulling the motor and trans out the front definitely roll the rear back.

I like your car, I have a 33 standard phaeton.

Last edited by deuce_roadster; 08-22-2020 at 11:18 AM.
deuce_roadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2020, 12:10 PM   #15
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,070
Default Re: Which is easier

Given that the subject vehicle is a '34 and not a later model with their more complex front end sheet metal fits, I'm with Bored&Stroked; pull the engine and transmission as an assembly.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2020, 11:05 AM   #16
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,013
Default Re: Which is easier

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidG View Post
Given that the subject vehicle is a '34 and not a later model with their more complex front end sheet metal fits, I'm with Bored&Stroked; pull the engine and transmission as an assembly.
I do it the same way with a 32 - it is not hard to 'align' the front radiator, grille and hood as about the only real adjustment (other than maybe some spacers/shims under the radiator mount tabs) - is the length of the radiator support rods. I always loosen then the same way, and assemble them in the same location (left/right) - such that I can put them back, snug up the nuts and everything is extremely closely aligned with how it originally came apart.
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2020, 02:50 PM   #17
mhaim
Junior Member
 
mhaim's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Marblehead MA
Posts: 29
Default Re: Which is easier

I do like the idea of pulling the engine. I can do almost the whole thing standing up. And once it’s out I can do some touch up in the engine bay. Thanks for all the pros and cons. Bill
mhaim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 07:33 AM   #18
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,013
Default Re: Which is easier

Also, upon reassembly, I have a little block of wood that I wedge between the top of the torque tube and the floor-pan - to push it down into the approximately correct position. It tends to want to rotate/pop up when the transmission is pulled - so the block keeps it pushed down to help me align the u-joint and the driveshaft as I'm sliding the engine/trans back into place.

Also, having a floor-jack with wheels to lift the transmission to the correct angle as you reassemble is a must. The wheels can roll with it as you're pushing the transmission/u-joint into the proper location.
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 11:06 AM   #19
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,070
Default Re: Which is easier

Or one of those long brackets with the threaded loop on a threaded rod with a handle on the end that permits you to adjust the angle of the hanging engine transmission assembly as required. It is especially handy when everything is all nicely painted as new and you want to avoid paint chips on the firewall and cross members. I'm not sure, but likely Harbor Freight carries them.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 01:06 PM   #20
BrianCT
Senior Member
 
BrianCT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Windham, CT
Posts: 702
Default Re: Which is easier

Be aware that you will have to enlarge the hole in the floorboard cover for the 39 shift tower.
__________________
[FONT=Comic Sans MS]
BrianCT is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:23 AM.