Advice on fitting an LT77

Post by **scudderfish** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 10:57 am

Please excuse the banality of this, but I've never done it before.

I'm attempting to fit my LT77 to my RV8, and I'm in this position

Is there any advice on how to get it aligned easily? I've got it in gear so I can hopefully spin the input shaft to mate with the clutch, but getting it to the right location to do that seems a bit hit and miss of wiggling the crane around. Is there a better way to approach this?

Regards,
Dave

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 12:47 pm

You need to make sure the clutch plate is centralised in the clutch - otherwise the spigot won't engage in the crank bush. The normal way is to use a pukka centralising tool which is a good fit to the bush and also the splines - a spare gearbox input shaft is perfect if you don't have the tool. You could make one up out of wood if you have the patience - the tool doesn't have splines, just a tight fit inside them.

However, since you've got easy access with the engine out, remove the box and look at the centre plate relative to the bush - and perhaps other round bits of the clutch, depending on design, and see it it looks lined up. Use one eye and get it central to the bush.

You could also slacken the clutch cover so it only just holds the driven plate. Fit the gearbox which will move the plate to the correct place. Very carefully remove the box keeping it level, and tighten the clutch cover to the correct figure.

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:24 pm

Has this engine and box been together before?

Post by **scudderfish** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:45 pm

Not these particular ones. The bellhousing/gearbox came from my 3.5L, the engine is a 4.3 from a Griffith.

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:49 pm

It looks pretty close together and if you have not checked the spigot bush may be for a T5 and not an LT77 - I have no idea if they are so different its just a guess.

scudderfish wrote:Not these particular ones. The bellhousing/gearbox came from my 3.5L, the engine is a 4.3 from a Griffith.

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:20 pm

scudderfish wrote:Is there a better/safer/more accurate way of holding the gearbox whilst I do this?

Dare I suggest with your hands? Even if you have to get someone to help you.

Post by **scudderfish** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:41 pm

Darkspeed wrote:It looks pretty close together and if you have not checked the spigot bush may be for a T5 and not an LT77 - I have no idea if they are so different its just a guess.

scudderfish wrote:Not these particular ones. The bellhousing/gearbox came from my 3.5L, the engine is a 4.3 from a Griffith.

I've put a new clutch and bush on anyway as it was all apart. My problem really is that with the gearbox dangling from the crane by straps, I can't position it very accurately. I'd be happier if I could get my load leveller (sat on top of the engine) fitted to it but there don't appear to be any convenient bolt holes. Is there a better/safer/more accurate way of holding the gearbox whilst I do this?

Regards,
Dave

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:45 pm

If you are happy that the clutch is aligned properly and the spigot bush is the right one for the input shaft (and the clutch plate matches the input shaft spline pattern) then you should be able to fit it by hand with the engine sat securely.

With the box in gear you should be able to twist it to and fro to line up the splines. It does help if you have a mate on hand to twist the output shaft if required and also to get the first couple of bolts in once it slots in and you hold it in position.

JSF55 · Post by **JSF55** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:04 pm

Get a couple of lengths of 3/8 unc thread bar or bolts with the heads cut off and screw them into the engine holes, use this too assist with lining it up

Post by **scudderfish** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:38 pm

JSF55 wrote:Get a couple of lengths of 3/8 unc thread bar or bolts with the heads cut off and screw them into the engine holes, use this too assist with lining it up

Fabulous idea! Thanks

Post by **scudderfish** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:46 am

Just to follow up, I've got it fitted. The threaded rod acted as a good guide and after putting it in gear and wiggling the output shaft about a bit, it just slotted in

Denis247 · Post by **Denis247** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:31 pm

Try mating them in the car, with the engine hanging from a beam and the gearbox balancing on a trolley jack !. That's fun.

conrod · Post by **conrod** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:14 pm

I just refitted mine into my van, laying on my back, slid the gearbox on to my chest, heave it into place and put the bolts in, bit of grunting involved but wasn't that hard

Third time I have done that, and I am not exactly a large bloke either! You guys need to harden up!

NorthernBloke · Post by **NorthernBloke** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:39 pm

conrod wrote:I just refitted mine into my van, laying on my back, slid the gearbox on to my chest, heave it into place and put the bolts in, bit of grunting involved but wasn't that hard Third time I have done that, and I am not exactly a large bloke either! You guys need to harden up!

I did that with mine last time and after it wouldn't go in after five attempts I ran out of strength

So I went to grab a mate to help and would you believe it the f'in thing virtually fell in

conrod · Post by **conrod** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:43 pm

NorthernBloke wrote:
conrod wrote:I just refitted mine into my van, laying on my back, slid the gearbox on to my chest, heave it into place and put the bolts in, bit of grunting involved but wasn't that hard Third time I have done that, and I am not exactly a large bloke either! You guys need to harden up!
I did that with mine last time and after it wouldn't go in after five attempts I ran out of strength

So I went to grab a mate to help and would you believe it the f'in thing virtually fell in

Yeah I must admit, it took two or three attempts the last time after I ran out of strength

Got the bugger in though!