H55 Crossmember not aligning in HJ75 ute?

[fras]

I posted this on 4wdAction, and I've just joined up here, looking to find a solution, and looking forward to being part of the community!

So I finally got around to putting a gearbox back into my ute.

It is a H55 from another vehicle, which I have determined to be from pre '85. (Whereas my ute was '89).

The bell housing bolted up perfectly to the engine (2H) and is all in place, however when trying to mount the gearbox to the car, the rear crossmember does not fit.

I also swapped the gearbox mounts from the original gearbox to the one I put in, however it seems to be to the left of the mounting holes by about a 1/2". Is it possible that there's any amount of swivel or twist in the gearbox/engine assembly or should I expect all of this to bolt up straight...?

The other thought I had was, is it possible I have to track down the crossmember from a HJ60 or something?

Bit confused and frustrated as it's currently sitting on a jack with the front end hanging off the back of the engine...

 

[Hulsty]

Are all the gearbox mount bolts loose, that will give you some movement as the ones to cross member are loose fit. Most likely scenario is something is bent, cross member or chassis.

 

[wongtsenhin]

You need to unbolt you box down and swap the original bellhousing back. There are 2 types of bellhousing on 2H engine. One is straight and one is twist.

 

[roscoFJ73]

You need to unbolt you box down and swap the original bellhousing back. There are 2 types of bellhousing on 2H engine. One is straight and one is twist.

Is this on HJ75 or HJ60? Years?

 

[Clint79]

You need to unbolt you box down and swap the original bellhousing back. There are 2 types of bellhousing on 2H engine. One is straight and one is twist.

What are each model for Wong

 

[roscoFJ73]

Like Huslty says,the bolt holes between the gearbox mount and crossmember are elongated so you can move them around a bit.
I had the same problem

 

[Hulsty]

My first middy was about 2'' out, due to the passenger side chassis rail being punched back 2'', bit of twisting and pulling got it all bolted together, you can loosen the engine mounts too and get some more movement.

 

[fras]

You need to unbolt you box down and swap the original bellhousing back. There are 2 types of bellhousing on 2H engine. One is straight and one is twist.

I really hope this isn't the problem, it was such a pain getting the box in... Although if it is I'll suck it up and do the work! What models were these from, and how much degree of twist would you estimate? As currently it doesn't seem to be out by 'much'.

I am working away from home this week, when I return on Saturday I will check the bellhousings (compare the original to the one in the car). Fingers crossed they're the same and I just have to shuffle things around a little.

Hulsty, how did you go about getting it to shift into place? Did you have any issues with damaging mounts over time? Once you got it lined up, did your drive shafts align ok?

I will post some pictures as well when I get home this weekend...

 

[roscoFJ73]

I loosened the bolts on the engine mounts and gearbox mounts. I think I also loosened the bolts that hold the mount to the engine.
Then I used a small podger to lever the holes on the crossmember till they aligned.
You could also get someone to push on the engine so the crossmember is horizontal.
I never had any problems with the shafts or mounts,but the gearstick didnt exit the floor in exactly the same spot as the gearstick on the old petrol engine.
I dont think the driveshafts are ever in perfect alignment

 

[wongtsenhin]

I really hope this isn't the problem, it was such a pain getting the box in... Although if it is I'll suck it up and do the work! What models were these from, and how much degree of twist would you estimate? As currently it doesn't seem to be out by 'much'.

I am working away from home this week, when I return on Saturday I will check the bellhousings (compare the original to the one in the car). Fingers crossed they're the same and I just have to shuffle things around a little.

Well, I was at the same dilemma as you're having now about few year back then when I did my 5 speed conversion on my HJ47. I bought the H55F from a wrecker, the donor was from 60 series box.
Installed it without realizing that was a "factory twist" bellhousing. After bolted up, leaving the left hand cross member a gap. Painfully took down everything and compared it side by side. Factory twist bellhousing was the culprit.
In fact, both of these bellhousing look identical the same and direct bolt in to 2H engine without issues.
Not sure if it applies to your case here?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Well, I was at the same dilemma as you're having now about few year back then when I did my 5 speed conversion on my HJ47. I bought the H55F from a wrecker, the donor was from 60 series box.
Installed it without realizing that was a "factory twist" bellhousing. After bolted up, leaving the left hand cross member a gap. Painfully took down everything and compared it side by side. Factory twist bellhousing was the culprit.
In fact, both of these bellhousing look identical the same and direct bolt in to 2H engine without issues.
Not sure if it applies to your case here?

Thanks for the clarification. Fras seems to have 2 bellhousings from HJ75s ,so hopefully they are all the same.

 

[Aussie 25]

Its a common problem. Bolt the crossmember to the box mount, leave the bolts loose, long screwdriver and aline the 8 holes to chassis. fit loose until you get them all in.