Crunky

All 4 bellhousing bolts are removed, I already got the release lever pin out. It comes back a couple inches and stops. It seems like the torque tube is in the way, it is slid back as far as it will go. The housing gets caught up on the TT, but I don't know if there will be anything else in the way after that?
Does the tranny cross member not come out in early cars? thats what the TT is stuck on, can't push it past that.
Anyone have some ideas?

931guru

Rotate the torque tube about 90 degrees and it will clear the transaxle cross member. It needs to be back almost to the spare tire well.

KuHL 951

On my 83 I found there is a sweet spot to rotate the rear TT bellhousing into to get another 1" to 1-1/2" clearance up front. Even then the bellhousing has to be rotated some itself to come off. Did you pull the clutch fork out? It can hang up when you pull the pivot shaft out. I assume you have removed the ground cable at the top of the bellhousing as well as the speed/reference sensors?

Crunky

I've tried that, it always seems to be just too big to clear. I'll try it again, but now its starting rain again. Why does it only rain on my days off?? I hate monsoon season

I have removed all the cable clamps, sensors, and the retaining pin for the fork, but the fork is stil inside the housing.

KuHL 951

Have you removed the black inspection plate at the front of the bellhousing. Personally I didn't need to push the TT past the X-member, just had to find that spot that got me a few extra inches of travel. Without lowering the TT I can't see how it could ever move as far back as the spare tire well, mine sure wouldn't. The spare tire well is more than 2 feet back from the X-member so there's no reason to go that far anyway.

Crunky

Yah, that plate is removed, I was able to fit part of my hand in to remove the clutch fork, but I still cant get the housing off. Now it is storming so bad, I can't work on it for the rest of the day. I'll try more tomorrow if it is dry enough.

Crunky

Does the speed/ref sensor housing need to come off? It seems like it is caught on something up top, but I can't see. I have both motor mounts bolted down all the way, do I have to lift the motor up or something?

Jfrahm

Yes, remove the S&R sensors:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/clutch-01.htm

Crunky

The sensors are out. I was wondering about the housing that the sensors bolt down to.

993944S2

I removed that housing to help with the bell housing.

Crunky

WAHOO! When all else fails, just try forcing it off
Atleast I got it off, now I can start re assembly when it is light out. Time to relax for the day

Funn944

Well, at least it goes back together easier than it comes apart. It's a bit of a pain to line up the bellhousing while getting the release fork in the proper positon, but it will go. Make sure you use a clutch alignment tool when you put the disk and pressure plate back on the flywheel. Do the mod to slot the bellhousing where it goes around the sensors. Do a search, you'll find it here. Stuff something into the inspection hole on top of the bellhousing before you start putting the sensors and ground cables back on. ( ask me how I know )
I feel for you, I just put mine back together last week. I had to pull the tranny mount and replace the gas tank as well. Thats real fun too !!