OK so things are not going to great. I have the Spaceghost plate all bolted up to the 420 with the bearing installed when I realize that the Toyota washer is still in the parts bag. Well crap, it goes between the two bearings. I tried to remove the plate but it will not come off! The lower tranny bearing is firmly stuck into the recessed pocket on the lower plate. The bearing will not slide off of the shaft with the plate. If I pull too hard the shaft will come out and then all of those little pesky needle bearings on the other side will fall out. I thought screw it I will run without that little washer and see what happens. When I get the case bolted up I do not see how I can grind enough off of the flange or the tranny to make things clear. It looks like I need at least 1/2 inch of metal or more removed!

Questions

Should I take it all apart and put that washer in?
What about the grinding?
Should I just sell the whole mess to you?
:confused:

Mike,

1. You are correct that you do not want the shaft to come out far enough to let the needle bearings fall out. Prevent this as your highest priority. Fishing the bearings out and reinstalling them is a pain.

2. It is my understanding from the only written directions I have ever seen, and my personal experience that this washer is required. It's function is to keep the N307LOE bearing in position to space the input gear so it meshes properly with the tcase gear.

3. The N307LOE bearing is a snug fit in the plate and on the output shaft. Removing it will require a bearing, or gear puller, that pushes against the output shaft of the tranny, and uses the snap ring groove on the bearing.

4. Evenly heating the plate adapter will expand it and allow it to be removed, from the bearing. I would start with a heat gun, and as a last resort use a torch, although a propane one probably won't heat it evenly. Be aware of the possible damage to painted surfaces and gaskests. This will not get the bearing off the shaft, see #3.

5. The plate adapter should not be in contact with the lower bearing. This puzzles me, since I bolted the adapter to my sm420 and removed it several times with out the N307LOE bearing in place. Each time the plate came right off.

6. Clearance of the flanges is a know issue, and one that I have very clearly covered. If you use the 3 speed flange and driveshaft yoke minimal grinding or machining of the flange and yoke is required. An outside diameter of 3.80" is adequate to avoid grinding the transmission. The use of 4 the speed flange and yoke will require grinding or machining of both, and extensive grinding of the tranny.

I'll be glad to refund your money (or exchange at your request) any any items you have purchased from me, that are either defective in any way, or do not fit, or work as advertised by me.

I will stand behind the items I sell regardless of the price or situation, but under no circumstance will I accept responsibilty for the installation of these items, or the buyers satisfaction with the end results of their modification decision.

Should you wish to discuss this me, please contact me via e-mail as this board is a form of recreation and I don't always get to browse daily.

Mike "SpaceGhost" Smythe

Mike

I think that the lower bearing is stuck due to gasket sealer and the snap ring on it. As to the flange I just had this sinking feeling that I may have been sold a 4 speed t case as a 3 speed case. As I look at it there is no way to only machine the flange and get the desired clearance. Is there an easy way to identify the three speed case?

I might try to put a new stud in the adapter to interfere with the bearing to force it out. The only problem is that I initially used a 3/8 bolt as the initial instructions described. I sort of screwed up the threads a bit and then used red locktight on it once I cleaned them up. I am still worried about them though!

I will also try to heat the plate and remove the N307 first.

Thanks for the reply, I will keep working on it!