help removing ZF

quote:

all of the bolts from the bellhousing to the block are out

Surely you have removed the starter?

Next, VERY often overlooked problem is this...

I strongly suspect you have not removed the THREE bolts that hold the bottom of the bellhousing to the flat steel bellhousing cover.

Look underneath and you'll find them.

Larry

Thanks Larry, but got em and got em. Wound up unbolting the clutch through the inspection hole, turns out the pilot bearing is stuck on the input shaft and was actually turning in the block Have to figure that out next.

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pilot bearing is stuck on the input shaft

Is it the OEM bronze style, or the 'upgraded' roller bearing item?

I have heard of the roller style losing lubrication and welding itself to the input shaft, which sadly sounds like what you are describing.

That could get expensive.

Please let us know which style you have.

Larry

OEM bronze style.

This is one of those 'depends who you talk to' scenarios. I had the 'oilite' pilot bushing in the GT5 and had hang up in 2nd and 3rd gears even after it had been rebuilt. Dennis Quella restripped the box and found nothing wrong, but he recommended changing to the needle roller pilot bearing (he uses the same in his race car).....problem solved.

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OEM bronze style.

Hmmmm.

Is it still stuck to the shaft? Or did it tap off, pound off, or resist your efforts so far?

Please do me a favor?

Get a magnet and see if that 'bronze' is magnetic.

The later ones have proven to be bronze in color, but very high in steel content. Probably that 'China" factor, again. That could explain it fusing to the shaft.

I am wondering how soft bronze can stick to the hardened input shaft.

And yes Julian, Dennis does use the needle roller style. I had it on 2511. It was a bitch to remove, but I pulled it and replaced it with an NOS true bronze piece.

I had never heard it might be a factor in shifting motion, though.

Larry

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I had it on 2511. It was a bitch to remove, but I pulled it and replaced it with an NOS true bronze piece.

WHY?

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I had never heard it might be a factor in shifting motion, though

We went through the ZF twice and my input shaft was very polished on the end. I was sceptical too when Dennis suggested the pilot bearing, but the change over to needle roller cured all shifting issues.

Gary, this may be more a factor of the quality of the overall 'oilite' and oil content (should be around 25%). If too low then there is no lubrication and then the bronze will expand and is constrained by the block so only one way to go. I think the oilite material has to be machined carefully as well so as not to drive out the oil.

quote:

WHY?

Because...

I have heard of the roller style losing lubrication and welding itself to the input shaft.

Bronze has been good enough for eternity, and I've never heard of any problems - until you just now - regarding bronze.

Just trying to be safe rather than sorry.

Like many things in Pantera Land, YMMV.

Larry

Did you try unbolting the trans from the bellhousing and then shaking it very hard back and forth ?