Bell Housing Removal

[68gmcdude]

Hi... I am new to the site. I have a 1968 GMC stepside with a 250 cid motor and 3-speed manual transmission. I want to replace the clutch. I was able to get the transmission out but was surprised to find that the bell housing also has the rear mounts/supports for the motor. I removed the support bolts and jacked up/supported the motor just enough that I could pull the bell housing off. The problem is that there is not enough room to pull the bell housing out due to the bottom of the cab and the cross member. The cross member can't be removed as it is riveted in place. How can I get the bell housing out so I can get to the clutch? Thanks!

[B. W.]

Not sure you can do this with your setup but I used to replace clutches in C60's with 292 / 465 trans. We did them in the field & did not remove the bell housing.

[franken]

Good point. Remove the trans, then the tin inspection cover under the BH and the clutch disk and TH bearing should fall out. Or, remove the cover and get hit in the face...
Oddly, I have 2 vehicles w/ the old iron BH and starter that bolts to the BH. Oddly, those starters might be bigger than normal and never have the supposed heatstroke problem.
Check to see if the big hole in the back of the BH is the same size as the bearing retainer diameter of the trans.

[68gmcdude]

So with the trans and inspection cover removed, do I just keep rotating the crank to access the bolts for the clutch/pressure plate, remove them, drop the clutch/pressure plate then install the new one in reverse order?

[Tx Firefighter]

Correct. No need to remove the bellhousing.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by 68gmcdude

So with the trans and inspection cover removed, do I just keep rotating the crank to access the bolts for the clutch/pressure plate, remove them, drop the clutch/pressure plate then install the new one in reverse order?

Almost!
You should also remove the flywheel and have it surfaced.

[68gmcdude]

geezer#99... the flywheel can be removed easily just by going through the access with the bell housing on?

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by 68gmcdude

geezer#99... the flywheel can be removed easily just by going through the access with the bell housing on?

That's how I did mine.

[68gmcdude]

Update: I have installed the new clutch and pressure plate. I am now trying to get the transmission back in. I have it in with all four bolts started but the farthest I could push it in is with a 1/2 inch gap between the transmission and the bell housing. It seems like the bolts are pulling it in as i tighten them but I didn't want to go too far without asking if this is ok. Should I continue to tighten it up? Thanks!

[geezer#99]

No!!
You can crack or break an ear off the tranny.
Hook the linkage up to the fork and have a helper push the clutch pedal to the floor and hold it there so you can easily slide the tranny into place.

[68gmcdude]

Thanks geezer#99... had a friend push the clutch pedal in and the tranny slid right in.