mattk

Not sure if anyone can help out on this old truck but i need to replace the clutch on it. Not getting far because my manual says to disconnect the shift lever from the tranny with the 4 bolts holding it on......and in some cases the earlier models need a special tool to get it off there once you get the 4 bolts loose.....of course i must need the tool cuz it wont come off. Does anyone know what special tool i need or is there something else i can use to get it loose. Any help would be great...thanks in advance

creepingdeath

You'd be better off to just pull the engine to replace the clutch. I was originally gonna drop my tranny to replace mine not too long ago too but decided against it after reading how much stuff you have to do according to the Chilton. The toughest thing on pulling the motor is getting it lined up with the shaft on the transmission when you reinstall it, but it's still not too bad with 2 people.

Flamedx4

Can't help with the shifter tool, I dunno what it might be (my two 85s and the 90 came right out.)

But I disagree about pulling the engine. Pulling the engine is a big deal for most people. The transmission is pretty easy. By the way, I do agree about "how much stuff" in the manual - the first time I did a clutch it took a weekend. The second time it took like 2 hours. For example the book said to remove the cross member. If you DON"T remove it, the whole thing rests on the transmission much better, and you saved more than a hour... Same thing for oil pumps, the books says remove the radiator. In an 85 at least, this isn't necessary at all! The biggest tip I could give on pulling the trans is the upper bellhousing bolts seemed impossible to reach. I eventually used all the extensions I had and actually reached all the way from the transfer case output shaft flange to the bell housing. (the extensions reached over the trans between the trans and the floor of the cab.) Piece of cake then...

Swede

Also...If you decide to remove the cross-member USE ALOT of penetrating oil as the nuts inside the frame are lightly spot welded and will snap off and just spin around in the frame and there's no way to get a wrench on them.