Technical Stupid transmission lifting trick of the day

Bench pressing this **** is why we all are in bad shape now. I used to do the same back when I was in my 20"s , now I even struggle with changing tires on my semi truck. WTF getting old ****s. Now I buy the right tools for the job and wished I had bought these tools decades ago.
Vic

 

********!!! Lol!!!

 

Yep. Me too. As we probably all did.

How much does a 68 GTX 4-sp trans weigh? I doubt I could even lift it off of the floor today. Fortunately I bought a good quality trans lift at a swap meet several years ago. Have used it on Clarence when replacing the engine and rebuilding the T-350. Will be using it again when the ST-10 goes into the Model A.

That said; kudos to OP (@327Eric) for his ingenuity. I'm sure I'll be using variations of that in the future for miscellaneous tasks.

 

I did basically the same but with a three leg tall jack and welded plates to the legs and bolted on steel casters. Made the trans mount using a universal joint with turnbuckle screws so I could adjust angle and rotation. Worked great but I hope I never have to use it again.

 

I did something similar to put my new 50 gallon water heater up on the 3 foot tall pedestal in the garage except I used 4X4’s. I was able to lift the old one off by hand and so I thought I could lift the new one. Not quite.

I used hold down straps to lift an automatic transmission the last time I installed one. Ratchet straps would have been much easier if I had some at the time. I had to lift one end and pull the strap to tighten and then the other end. A couple of bottle jacks helped keep it oriented the right way.

 

39 Ford transmissions are traditional and can be easily lifted by worn out old men.

 

Were you dropping the clutch and pressure plate out the bottom of the bellhousing?

 

Yes.

 

Here are some pictures of the trans jack and some adapters. You can use the trans jack for other things as well if you just get creative.......like lowering a full gas tank or holding exhausts in place while you weld...etc.






Note: Gas tanks NEVER need removing unless they are full


As for the comments about no longer being able to set a transmission on our chest.....
I think I can still do that. Its getting it back off my chest that worries me.

 

b-t-w; those motorcycle jacks that have two parallel runners can be used to lift a mul***ude of things. They don't go very high, but then again most trans jacks don't either. Unless they are the ones for installing the trans up high with the vehicle on a lift of course.

 

R***led a four speed toploader in and out of my car a couple times the old way a few years ago. (Replacement McLeod clutch was mis-manufactured. Summit rep got the McLeod rep on the phone and we conference called - got it resolved pronto. Great service experience.)
My bro heard about me bench pressing the toploader and bought me a HF trans jack. All I've used it for so far is as a trans dolly. Does a real nice job of that.

 

After 3 friends and I were damn near killed pulling the trans and transaxle out of a 2009 Audi, I spent the $180 on a dedicated transmission jack. Not only was it cheaper than the copay at the emergency room, it has allowed me to pulls transmissions by myself, making all the more productive if I can't get physically capable help over.

 

My wife says that I moan and groan with my shoulders all night long for a couple of weeks after I lay on my back and bench press a transmission. I'm 71 now and can't do what I could 30 years ago. I have plenty of ratchet straps, so this will be a big help Monday when I drop the trans on Ozelle the '55 Ford. It's the stock 3 on the tree, so not as heavy as some transmissions, but still a lift for an old guy with bad shoulders.

 

The ratchet strap thing could be a health and well being thing for some of us. I've used a pair of long bolts in the two bottom bellhousing bolt holes to line up the trans and make it easier to stab for years but just used 4 or 5 inch long bolts and got the transmission lined up close enough to screw the bolts in with my fingers and then slide it in to place on them. I'm going to modify a couple now.

Good stuff that is usable by all of us.

 

I’ve only used mine on automatic transmissions, but soon will see what’s to be done with a T56.

 

Back when I was 18 I was doing a transmission swap, taking out the Turboglide and replacing with a 3 speed stick. First I lifted the car up for clearance, then using my dad's bottle jack, I put the jack under the TG pan with a 1 foot square piece of particle board in between the jack and the pan. I centered both the jack and board to balance the transmission enough to pull away from flex plate and engine. I then raised the jack to lift just enough to pull the transmission while holding the transmission balanced. Lowered the jack to lowest point, then CAREFULLY raised the front of transmission while holding tail housing and slid the transmission down to where the pan touched the ground. From there I lowered the front of transmission down. Man was I courageous and stupid back then.

 

You gotta love the older Chevy, small transmission that comes up and out through the floor board!