Here we go. One last time...

[moparedtn]

Oh, forgot to mention -
although not shown in the pics, the engine did come with the carburetor, distributor and coil it has in the video as well. Seller removed them and packed them separately.
They arrived in fine shape as well.

 

[moparedtn]

Good luck. Love your GTX she's a beauty

Thanks BK!

 

[moparedtn]

I gotta find a decent 4 speed for this dang thing that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...pronto!

 

[BeeKool]

That may be difficult.

 

[Glenwood]

Glad to see you're moving forward!

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Today, weather was unseasonably warm, so work began:
View attachment 395816
First order of business was to button back up the old engine to an extent so that it could be handed off to its' new owner, whoever that winds up being.

View attachment 395817
Up in the air so I could get underneath and drain all fluids, including transmission.

View attachment 395818
Got all connections to the engine disconnected.
Finally.
I was struggling a bit by the time I got it all. Not much gas in my tank these days.

Next up is dropping the driveshaft and pulling the transmission.
That'll have to wait. Need to recover a few days - and find a helper.
I don't want to wrestle that 4 speed alone.

I highly recommend a tranny jack intended for that purpose. A regular floor jack is a pain, and dangerous. own, borrow, or rent. Don't forget the clutch alignment tool..........Good Luck................
MO

 

[moparedtn]

That may be difficult.

Nothing worthwhile in this life is easy.
It took a bit, but I managed to score a rebuilt 440 for very reasonable money.
I'll do the same with the A833. I don't have the means to do otherwise.

 

[moparedtn]

I highly recommend a tranny jack intended for that purpose. A regular floor jack is a pain, and dangerous. own, borrow, or rent. Don't forget the clutch alignment tool..........Good Luck................
MO

Yessir. I see Harbor Freight in my near future.

Yes, I suppose I should use the proper alignment tool.
Last time I did this....I used a broom handle. Not kidding.
Worked fine.

 

[moparedtn]

It just occurred to me...
am I going to have to swap bellhousings to go to the 18 spline?

 

[Ladysmith Bob]

Being a new member, I am not familiar with the personalities of the original thread contributors, but I would like to make some comments on the content that I have read. Since this forum is for project progress, I will post a new thread in the general forum which I hope you will all read.

 

[skicker]

The bell housing you have is fine. They are the same from a 23 spline to 18 spline...

 

[Budnicks]

Good to see you got it back on track again

best of luck

 

[dvw]

I gotta find a decent 4 speed for this dang thing that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...pronto!

Fix the 23 spline or send it to Dan Brewer. A 23 spline will take a LOT of abuse if no slicks are used. Probably has burred sliders, worn clutching teeth and needs blocker rings. The worst part is getting it out.
Doug

 

[dvw]

It just occurred to me...
am I going to have to swap bellhousings to go to the 18 spline?

No, if the front bearing retainer outer diameter is the same, several different sizes. The throw out bearing and disc are different.
Doug

 

[moparedtn]

The bell housing you have is fine. They are the same from a 23 spline to 18 spline...

No, if the front bearing retainer outer diameter is the same, several different sizes. The throw out bearing and disc are different.
Doug

Thanks y'all.
Got it, bearing retainer came in different sizes. I need to find out what I have now, beyond just knowing it's a 23 spline.
I assume the part number on the bellhousing will tell me this.
Where is the part number located on the bell housing? Maybe I can find it before I pull everything out.

 

[moparedtn]

Good to see you got it back on track again
best of luck

Thanky kindly, sir. Appreciated.
Weather is supposed to get a tad warmer as this week progresses, so I plan on the next phase then (dropping transmission & driveshaft), God willing.
Still paying for yesterday right now.

 

[moparedtn]

Fix the 23 spline or send it to Dan Brewer. A 23 spline will take a LOT of abuse if no slicks are used. Probably has burred sliders, worn clutching teeth and needs blocker rings. The worst part is getting it out.
Doug

I'm glad to read someone knowledgeable saying this, because the 23 splines are far more reasonable in price (not to mention, easier to find).
I remember my 4 speed Super Bee in the early 80's with the 18 spline - I loved how that thing shifted. It had that classic "snick-snick" shift action, very nice setup; I never feared hurting it with the 440 that car had.

Yep, Brewer's looks like the folks to deal with on it. I see they buy old transmissions, too. I'll give them a call in the morning and see what's up.
Thanks!

 

[moparedtn]

Got some decent news for a change today.
Latest blood work came back and nothing is worse.
Nothing is better, but I'll take what I can get!
Weather looks to be decent this weekend, so I'm going after the transmission (with a proper jack from Harbor Freight, of course).
A member is also having a 23 spline he has getting checked out by his transmission guy soon as well. Hopeful there.

 

[moparedtn]

I'm going to be replacing the starter while I'm doing all this. I have the Dakota starter now, which has worked just fine despite the Hedmans being right on top of the dang thing - but I want something smaller if I'm going to retain the headers.
Recommendations for a smaller one I can install ONCE and forget about it?

Also, I'm going to replace whatever clutch this is in it now. I don't know if I have a 10.5" or an 11" in there now, so I'll have to figure that out if I'm keeping a 23 spline in it.
Recommendations for an affordable, smooth clutch that will take a little hotrodding once in a while?
Further, how do I know how many teeth to order in a new flywheel?

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I'm going to be replacing the starter while I'm doing all this. I have the Dakota starter now, which has worked just fine despite the Hedmans being right on top of the dang thing - but I want something smaller if I'm going to retain the headers.
Recommendations for a smaller one I can install ONCE and forget about it?

Also, I'm going to replace whatever clutch this is in it now. I don't know if I have a 10.5" or an 11" in there now, so I'll have to figure that out if I'm keeping a 23 spline in it.
Recommendations for an affordable, smooth clutch that will take a little hotrodding once in a while?
Further, how do I know how many teeth to order in a new flywheel?

I have a Centerforce Dual friction 10 1/2" in mine , and cannot imagine a better street clutch than that . easier pedal than stock , easy to install , and my bet is, it will handle 450 plus horsepower............................................MO