engine and trans(sm465) installing questions?

[treveiger]

I took out my 307 and sm465 for a freshen up and then now thinking about putting them back in and need some info. Sense they can't be put back in together what's the easiest way? I was thinking about installing the bellhousing then bolting up the transmission then installing the motor last an bolting it back up to the bellhousing. Any advice would be great sense this is my first time with a reinstall.
Thanks!
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[sjarrett71]

My 350 and SM trans came out together, not sure why they wouldn't go back in together. Haven't tried it though.

[treveiger]

There's a bellhousing crossmember that the sm465 won't clear.
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[rsavage]

I install the engine with the bellhousing, clutch, and flywheel with new pilot bushing attached. Then I install the transmission. Pick up a clutch alignment tool and make sure the transmission input shaft will go through the clutch disc without interference. It's a heavy chunk, so you probably want to use a transmission floor jack and an extra set of hands and arms make a difference.

[treveiger]

Oo ok, I need a new clutch kit an they come with the tool. What about a floor jack and a set of hands? How hard is it to slid the tranny into the bellhousing?
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[Monty]

i've done it both ways.

if you don't have a trans jack, your better option is to put the trans/bell housing in first and put the engine/clutch in last. this way, you wont have to wiggle the trans balanced on a floor jack while you are underneath the truck with it. you will still need to support the rear of the trans with the floor jack, but that will give you up/down adjustment on that part.

[treveiger]

I could rent a trans jack if needed. I was thinking of balancing on the floor jack with someone in the cab balancing it.
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[sjarrett71]

Originally Posted by treveiger

There's a bellhousing crossmember that the sm465 won't clear.
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Now that you mention it, we removed the crossmember before removal of the engine and trans since I wasn't gonna reuse it.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by treveiger

I could rent a trans jack if needed. I was thinking of balancing on the floor jack with someone in the cab balancing it.
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i think you can make it happen like that without renting the trans jack. just be careful. and i do think that your origional post is the easiest/safest way to make this all come together.

[treveiger]

How hard is it mating the bellhousing to the engine once the tranny an bellhousing is installed?
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[rsavage]

Do you think maneuvering an engine block with the clutch bolted to it so that the transmission input shaft will go through the clutch disk and the end into the flywheel pilot bushing will be easier than handling just the tranny? If you bolt in the transmission and bell housing, you will be trying to do so. Getting a transmission through the clutch disk splines and the end of the shaft into the flywheel needs to be precisely done. Much easier handling just the transmission than trying to move the engine block around. Don't even think it could be done. It is not like mating an automatic trans bellhousing to an engine. You are going through a clutch.