| Alaska Jim | -- 02-01-2021 @ 11:15 PM |
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Hello, I am new to this forum, and I have a few questions about removing the 3sp. with o/d transmission from my car. I have a service manual for it , but it does not address my question. The manual says that there are 2 options when it comes to removing the trans. option one involves removing the seat and carpet and removing a floor plate. the manual goes on to give details on this removal. It then states option 2 is to remove the transmission from the bottom . There is where the problem is. it does not go into any details. My question is, can the transmission be removed from the bottom? Is there enough clearance for the governor, and the solenoid? I have done 3 speed transmissions on early Fords before ( 49- 57 ), but that was close to 40 years ago. I am 70 years old and am a retired mechanic, and am capable of doing the job, just looking for some tips and advice, as I am not as strong as i used to be, and have a bad back. getting up and down and crawling under the car takes longer than it used to. any help, or tips/advice, information is appreciated thank you. Jim, Palmer, Alaska
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| TomO | -- 02-03-2021 @ 7:29 AM |
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Welcome to the Forum. The 51 Mercury was my favorite of the 3 years of that body style. It has been many years since I have been under a 51 Mercury, so I don't remember how easy it is to remove the transmission from below and if there are any special clearance issues. I think that no instructions were provided because the steps would be easy to see when you had the car up on a lift. I believe that it would be difficult without a good transmission jack to remove it from below. Rent the best jack that you can find if you intend to go that route. Jack the car up and put it on jack stands. Then take a look at what is involved with doing it from below. Good Luck Tom This message was edited by TomO on 2-3-21 @ 7:37 AM
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| Alaska Jim | -- 02-03-2021 @ 1:00 PM |
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Thanks Tom, I already have it up in the air. I do not have a lift, just jack stands. I am a retired mechanic. It looks doable, but is a bit tight because of the overdrive stuff ( solenoid, governor, kickdown switch, and wiring . ) I suspect you are right about the reason there is no info in the manual about removal from the bottom.. Thanks again for your help. I will start on it this evening, just doing a little at a time , probably take me forever, might have it done before the snow melts, lol.
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| TomO | -- 02-04-2021 @ 7:59 AM |
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Make sure that you have access to a good transmission jack. Handling that weight while on your back is challenging to younger people who are accustomed to lifting similar weights. I was 75 when I helped my son remove the transmission from his Explorer and it was quite a stress. He is accustomed to working with heavy items and originally did not want to use my transmission jack. He changed his mind when the cross member was the only support for the trans and it took the 2 of us to lower it onto a dolly. We used the jack to put it back in and it made the job much easier. I did not think that the snow in Alaska ever melted. We currently have 2 snowfalls on the ground, one at 8.9" and the other at 11.2". We are also heading for cold wave, so it will be around for a couple of weeks. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 2-4-21 @ 8:02 AM
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| sarahcecelia | -- 02-05-2021 @ 6:37 AM |
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Tom, I was in Alaska a few years back, in August. It was in the 90's out and hotter than Hades! The lady I was with said, "Let's go in that bar across the street and get a beer-the windows are closed so it's probably air conditioned!" It was; and what a relief that was!! When we got back to Florida and I told them how hot is was up there, nobody believed me!! I wouldn't, believe it either if I hadn't experienced it in person! Regards, Steve Lee
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| Alaska Jim | -- 02-05-2021 @ 11:25 PM |
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Yes, it does get hot here on occasion , especially in the interior section of the state. we like a/c in our cars, when the sun is shining in through the windows it is way to hot sometimes, even in the winter.
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| Alaska Jim | -- 02-05-2021 @ 11:28 PM |
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Tom, I have already made arrangements to borrow a transmission jack, at 70, I to am not as strong as I used to be. I remember doing these and even the Mustang top loader transmissions without a jack, just plain brute strength. oh to be young and dumb. lol.
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| sarahcecelia | -- 02-14-2021 @ 1:02 PM |
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Be sure to put something under the bell housing to support the motor, so you don't strain the front motor mounts!! (The rear mount of the transmission is doing that now.) The hardest thing is disconnecting the overdrive "Lockout" "lock in" cable at top, left side, of the transmision, and reconnecting it! I suggest re-connecting it after you bolt it to the bell housing, before you raise the tail end up to install the rear mount parts. (It makes it a "Little"easier to get at that way) Also, if you have to add any trans oil or change it; do it while you have it out!!; and remember- you have to fill the Front and Rear SEPERATELY!! It won't auto fill from the gear housing, to the o'drive housing!! And DONT USE MODERN GEAR OIL!! It has things in it that will ruin any brass in ithe trans. unit. You can get the right gear oil and questions answered by Randy Rundle (propietor) of Fifth AVE. Garage, Clay Center, Kansas City , Kansas. !! Regards, Steve Lee
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| Alaska Jim | -- 03-06-2021 @ 11:39 PM |
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Steve, Thank you for the information, and suggestions. I am going to reinstall the transmission tomorrow.
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| rotorwrench | -- 03-10-2021 @ 1:11 PM |
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There are special tools listed in the fully updated 1949 thru 51 Lincoln Mercury Overhaul manual. Pulling the cover over the transmission took me a lot of work the last time I did it, due to the sealer around the edges. It requires a lifting device to do the job and another special tool if a person has the OEM stuff. The transmission will move aft far enough to clear the front input shaft but it is tight. They had a beam that attached to the frame to hold the rear of the engine but finding tools like that would be difficult in the modern era. If you have the early 51, it should have the same type set up as the 1949 & 50 models with very few exceptions. Later 51 cars had the new style transmission and large cast iron bell housing. Either one can be removed but the rear cross member should be removed and that can be a bear too. Not an easy task with the X type frame members. This message was edited by rotorwrench on 3-10-21 @ 1:12 PM
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