CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Garage Talk => Topic started by: Mike S on April 20, 2017, 06:16:04 PM

Title: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: Mike S on April 20, 2017, 06:16:04 PM
 Can the side cover on a Muncie 4-speed be removed while still in the car (67 Camaro)? There are no exhaust pipes to interfere but the side clearance looks like it may not be enough. I was thinking I could pull out and tilt it downwards until the forks clear. I've only done it with the transmission on the bench. I know about putting it into 2nd gear before removing the cover.

Thanks,
Mike
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: bcmiller on April 20, 2017, 06:24:43 PM
I don't think that I have never done that while installed in a car.

Let us know if you try it. I would probably just pull it first.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: BSMIT59 on April 20, 2017, 07:06:55 PM
What's the reason for pulling the side cover Mike? There will be limited access to see inside even if it does come off unless you drop the crossmember and let it hang.......
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: camaroboy68ss on April 20, 2017, 07:10:50 PM
I was wondering if this was possible as well, to replace the seals around the linkage shaft's.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: Mike S on April 20, 2017, 07:15:31 PM
 I have one new fork shaft seal that gets wet so I wanted to remove the cover to install another new one.

Mike
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on April 20, 2017, 07:56:59 PM
Yes you can get the side cover off with the trans in the car. I swapped a shift fork on my 69 Z several years back with the trans still in the car. It's tight but doable..
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: ko-lek-tor on April 21, 2017, 12:13:14 AM
May I suggest removing the 4 mounting bolts (bell housing)and shifter and rotating slight counterclockwise, keeping the trans against the bell, turn say, to the 10:00 position? Drain oil and support at the rear  of the case so it is not just hanging there and potentially able to inflict damage on something or someone.

Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: Mike S on April 21, 2017, 11:42:22 AM
 I'm going to attempt it and see how it works out and let you know.
I like the idea of rotating the unit while still sitting in the bell housing and will try that if needed.

 Thanks for the replies!
Mike
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: Stingr69 on April 21, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
You can add a thin o-ring behind the shaft seal to assist in sealing.  Be sure to use sealer on the seal periphery. You tap the seal in just far enough to where the shaft is hard to turn because it compresses the oring.  The oring will bind the shaft a bit but once lube hits it and it breaks in, it will seal better

-Mark.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: BULLITT65 on April 21, 2017, 04:58:53 PM
Mike you are a brave SOB. I can't hardly imagine trying to do all that with it in the car. It seems like I would have as much time fighting for the right angle, and then messing with gear lube. Maybe its just my big gorilla hands that wouldn't be able to do it.  I would rather just pull the trans and know I would have plenty of room on my bench to get it in there right. BUT I have pulled many transmissions, so it is all routine now. You guys are lucky with the Munice being an aluminum case. I can rest it on my chest and get it in there pretty easy. The ford cast iron top loaders, ooof, those will a make man out of you, trying to line them up.
good luck with it, which ever route you try.  :)
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: JKZ27 on April 21, 2017, 05:30:46 PM
I like the idea of "flat rating" the side cover. Last time I removed my trans the crossmember was a SOB to get out. I had to loosen the frame bolts to get clearance.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on April 21, 2017, 09:48:11 PM
Mike you are a brave SOB. I can't hardly imagine trying to do all that with it in the car. It seems like I would have as much time fighting for the right angle, and then messing with gear lube. Maybe its just my big gorilla hands that wouldn't be able to do it.  I would rather just pull the trans and know I would have plenty of room on my bench to get it in there right. BUT I have pulled many transmissions, so it is all routine now. You guys are lucky with the Munice being an aluminum case. I can rest it on my chest and get it in there pretty easy. The ford cast iron top loaders, ooof, those will a make man out of you, trying to line them up.
good luck with it, which ever route you try.  :)

I can't imagine the Ford cast iron top loaders could weight more than the old cast iron Chrysler 4-speeds of the 60's.  I remember very nearly getting my hands crushed under one of them as we tried to 'ease it down'..  :)
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: bcmiller on April 24, 2017, 04:56:46 PM
Muncies are a piece of cake compared to any cast iron cased 4 speed. I carried a Ford top loader on my shoulder about half a mile at a swap meet one time. Then walked back to the same guy and carried a pair of big block Chevy heads the same distance. Prices were too good to pass.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: BULLITT65 on April 24, 2017, 05:06:58 PM
Thats a good workout, you were earning it that day. The question is was that 2 trips back to your car or 3? ( can you man handle 2 big block heads , I assume they were cast iron as well)
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: bcmiller on April 24, 2017, 11:46:40 PM
One head in each hand. I think I had to stop twice.
Title: Re: Muncie side cover removal in car?
Post by: BULLITT65 on April 25, 2017, 03:11:43 AM
Wow, forget the wagon, bring Bryon to the swap meet. WTG