Best way to install manual transmission?

[Wageslave]

I am getting nearer to parking my El Camino and swapping out the TH 200 for an NV3500 5 speed. I was wondering if it would be easier to try and switch the transmissions out from under the car or to pull the motor and transmission as a unit. I can pull the shifter tower off I go in from the top, but that is a lot of weight to try to angle in on an engine lift.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pontiacgp]

I left the engine in place and installed my T5 WC from under the car but mine has a removable bellhousing and the T5 only weighs 75 lbs. For the 3500 transmission I think it would be easier to yank the engine and bolt on the transmission.

 

[Wageslave]

I probably will yank everything out to do the swap. When I put this combo in, my engine leveler had a hard time going from like 45 degrees tilted back to level though. It is not going to be very fun either way from what I can tell, but oh that 5 speed sweetness...

 

[Texas82GP]

I probably will yank everything out to do the swap. When I put this combo in, my engine leveler had a hard time going from like 45 degrees tilted back to level though. It is not going to be very fun either way from what I can tell, but oh that 5 speed sweetness...

I would leave the engine in the car, but that is just preference. If you pull the engine and then install it and the trans, you can help your leveler with a floor jack under the transmission.

 

[pontiacgp]

When I drop an engine in with the transmission attached I always have a friend to help. An engine on it's own is easy enough but with the transmission attached you need an extra set of eyes and hands.

 

[307 Regal]

My dad has been dragging his feet on a Powerglide to Borg-Warner swap in his Biscayne because he says you need to shim the bellhousing to make sure the input shaft is lined up straight with the crank and such. (It's been a while since that conversation.) Is that just for scatter shields or something? It seems like everyone that does a swap just puts a pilot bearing in and bolts up a trans as though that's not a measurement to worry about.
???

 

[pontiacgp]

My dad has been dragging his feet on a Powerglide to Borg-Warner swap in his Biscayne because he says you need to shim the bellhousing to make sure the input shaft is lined up straight with the crank and such. (It's been a while since that conversation.) Is that just for scatter shields or something? It seems like everyone that does a swap just puts a pilot bearing in and bolts up a trans as though that's not a measurement to worry about.
???

the factory didn't worry about the T5 WC and bolted that up to any sbc that was in the car sol I did the same. 70 years ago they had a sticker on the bellhousing saying it could only be installed on this engine. We installed numerous older transmissions on our circle track cars without any concerns or problems

 

[Pontiac455]

Don't need to remove the engine. Lots of room under there. Its easy peassy.

 

[airboatgreg]

Leave engine in. I just pulled aTH 350 and put a Muncie in. R&R'd a bunch of trans in the day

 

[pontiacgp]

do you have a lift or will you be working on your back?