As Jake said..Push. We put them in 4th gear and turn the flanges the same
direction while pushing to get the splines lined up in the clutch too.
Look carefully at how even the bell hsg is to the block..The slightest bit
cockeyed will ruin your day. Look, Turn, Push

Daryl of AA Transaxle
425-788-4070
"On the cutting edge of Old technology"
86 Syncro Westy w/Turbo Zetec in the trunk

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David Beierl
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 11:13 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Any tips on the last inch transmission mounting?

Putting Sally's "new" transmission on and haven't been able to get
the input shaft to enter its pilot hole.  Clutch pilot tool shows
clutch centered perfectly but the closest I've been able to get the
flanges is an inch (ring gear just out of sight in the bell
housing).  Does that indicate a complete miss or that the rounded
front of the shaft is entering the hole?  Engine front is lowered so
the fuel rail ends are about half an inch above the sheet metal
shrouding.  I've tried with jack under the after end of transmission
and with it riding on the studs.

How hard may I shove on the transmission?  Is there anything else I
should be doing?  This has gotten very frustrating.  And of course
Millee is having visions of it never going back together.

Thanks,
David