Muncie side cover removal in car?

[Mike S]

 Can the side cover on a Muncie 4-speed be removed while still in the car (67 Camaro)? There are no exhaust pipes to interfere but the side clearance looks like it may not be enough. I was thinking I could pull out and tilt it downwards until the forks clear. I've only done it with the transmission on the bench. I know about putting it into 2nd gear before removing the cover.

Thanks,
Mike

[bcmiller]

I don't think that I have never done that while installed in a car.

Let us know if you try it. I would probably just pull it first.

[BSMIT59]

What's the reason for pulling the side cover Mike? There will be limited access to see inside even if it does come off unless you drop the crossmember and let it hang.......

[camaroboy68ss]

I was wondering if this was possible as well, to replace the seals around the linkage shaft's.

[Mike S]

 I have one new fork shaft seal that gets wet so I wanted to remove the cover to install another new one.

Mike

[Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28]

Yes you can get the side cover off with the trans in the car. I swapped a shift fork on my 69 Z several years back with the trans still in the car. It's tight but doable..

[ko-lek-tor]

May I suggest removing the 4 mounting bolts (bell housing)and shifter and rotating slight counterclockwise, keeping the trans against the bell, turn say, to the 10:00 position? Drain oil and support at the rear  of the case so it is not just hanging there and potentially able to inflict damage on something or someone.

[Mike S]

 I'm going to attempt it and see how it works out and let you know.
I like the idea of rotating the unit while still sitting in the bell housing and will try that if needed.

 Thanks for the replies!
Mike

[Stingr69]

You can add a thin o-ring behind the shaft seal to assist in sealing.  Be sure to use sealer on the seal periphery. You tap the seal in just far enough to where the shaft is hard to turn because it compresses the oring.  The oring will bind the shaft a bit but once lube hits it and it breaks in, it will seal better

-Mark.

[BULLITT65]

Mike you are a brave SOB. I can't hardly imagine trying to do all that with it in the car. It seems like I would have as much time fighting for the right angle, and then messing with gear lube. Maybe its just my big gorilla hands that wouldn't be able to do it.  I would rather just pull the trans and know I would have plenty of room on my bench to get it in there right. BUT I have pulled many transmissions, so it is all routine now. You guys are lucky with the Munice being an aluminum case. I can rest it on my chest and get it in there pretty easy. The ford cast iron top loaders, ooof, those will a make man out of you, trying to line them up.
good luck with it, which ever route you try. 

[JKZ27]

I like the idea of "flat rating" the side cover. Last time I removed my trans the crossmember was a SOB to get out. I had to loosen the frame bolts to get clearance.

[69Z28-RS]

Mike you are a brave SOB. I can't hardly imagine trying to do all that with it in the car. It seems like I would have as much time fighting for the right angle, and then messing with gear lube. Maybe its just my big gorilla hands that wouldn't be able to do it.  I would rather just pull the trans and know I would have plenty of room on my bench to get it in there right. BUT I have pulled many transmissions, so it is all routine now. You guys are lucky with the Munice being an aluminum case. I can rest it on my chest and get it in there pretty easy. The ford cast iron top loaders, ooof, those will a make man out of you, trying to line them up.
good luck with it, which ever route you try. 

I can't imagine the Ford cast iron top loaders could weight more than the old cast iron Chrysler 4-speeds of the 60's.  I remember very nearly getting my hands crushed under one of them as we tried to 'ease it down'.. 

[bcmiller]

Muncies are a piece of cake compared to any cast iron cased 4 speed. I carried a Ford top loader on my shoulder about half a mile at a swap meet one time. Then walked back to the same guy and carried a pair of big block Chevy heads the same distance. Prices were too good to pass.

[BULLITT65]

Thats a good workout, you were earning it that day. The question is was that 2 trips back to your car or 3? ( can you man handle 2 big block heads , I assume they were cast iron as well)

[bcmiller]

One head in each hand. I think I had to stop twice.