TR2/3/3A TR3A Gearbox mount

[mrv8q]

Hello, listers, while I was in my '59TR3A this weekend, I took the time to pull my trans cover, as I had not been in there before. I soon spied my very sad gearbox mount. I had a reproduction mount from TRF to compare it to: the new one is 1.5 inches high, the old is 1 inch.

I obviously want to change this out; I replaced the engine mounts last summer. I plan to disconnect the exhaust from the exhaust manifold, and disconnect the 4 bolts to the driveshaft. If I jack just the end of the trans with a hydraulic jack, will that be enough clearance to change the mount? Any BTDTs greatly appreciated!

 

[sp53]

If I remember right, I think it would be best to take the four little bolts out on the steel plate where the mount mounts to the frame then take out the two larger bolts from the trans then slide the whole assembly out. This way you should only have to lift the rear of the trans maybe a ½ inch and you would not need to take the exhaust off or the drive shaft.
sp53

 

[Geo Hahn]

That sounds right. Once undone you may need to rotate it 90 degrees (in a horizontal plane) to remove it.

A bit trickier on the TR4 where the exhaust bracket is an integral part of the big mounting bolts (one nut welded to the bracket that holds the exhaust clamp).

 

[mrv8q]

Wow, I'm really glad I asked this question, thanks Gents! I saw those bolts, but I wouldn't have thought to try them.... my thoughts behind loosening the exhaust at the downpipe, was to minimize any stress on those ancient studs... Thanks again, I'll be tackling this in the next 4 weeks.

 

[MDCanaday]

Now , if you dont want to change this sucker again in a few years, take this tip to heart.Put the mount in a ziplock bag!! protects it from oil!! Just push the studs through the bag and install, when you set the tranny in place do the same with its 2 large bolts.Trust me, no concourse judge will ever see it!! and most importantly you wont have to re-do the job for a very long time.....
MD(mad dog)

 

[mrv8q]

Here's an update on my gearbox mount changeout. '53 and Geo would've been right, if the 2 long bolts on either side of the gearbox were inserted head down, so the nut would have been on the bottom. However, the nuts were on top, so that even when the bolts dropped, they wouldn't clear the mount. I wound up taking off the four bolts on the crossbrace, the two nuts underneath, the 4 bolts off the end of the trans/u-joint, jacking it up to clear the 2 long bolts, and switching out the mount. Not an awful job at all. I used MDCanaday's idea: wrapping the mount in Saran Wrap was smart!

Now I've taken off the carbs; I'm going to bead blast the intake and exhaust manifolds, and then put on one of Joe Alexander's Heat shields. With my new allow valve cover, and some new K&N air filters, it should look sweet! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif Thanks, Gents, for the advice!