Secrets to mating the trans and M20?

[JinormusJ]

Get a couple long bolts, with the same thread size as the stock transmission bolts. Cut the heads off of them, grind a notch for a flat head screwdriver, and thread into 2 or 3 of the mounting points on the engine. This will allow you to get the transmission aligned properly and it should slide right in with little effort. Then you can get a few of the other bolts started before unscrewing your alignment "studs." At this point, hopefully you made sure to get long enough bolts so they can be easily removed.

I used this method when I was doing trans work on my S50/ZF car and it worked flawlessly.

I like this...

[slammin.e28]

Get a couple long bolts, with the same thread size as the stock transmission bolts. Cut the heads off of them, grind a notch for a flat head screwdriver, and thread into 2 or 3 of the mounting points on the engine. This will allow you to get the transmission aligned properly and it should slide right in with little effort. Then you can get a few of the other bolts started before unscrewing your alignment "studs." At this point, hopefully you made sure to get long enough bolts so they can be easily removed.

I used this method when I was doing trans work on my S50/ZF car and it worked flawlessly.

I like this.

[Kershaw]

[Thizzelle]

Pop it in 4th gear and wiggle the output flange a little to coax it in once the angle is about right.

this, while pusshing forward grab the flange where the guibo goes and wiggle (meaning rotate a bit back and forth) it a little, keep it in 4th gear, and you can also push up on the oilpan to angle the engine more for some extra clearance.

[mr2peak]

Get a couple long bolts, with the same thread size as the stock transmission bolts. Cut the heads off of them, grind a notch for a flat head screwdriver, and thread into 2 or 3 of the mounting points on the engine. This will allow you to get the transmission aligned properly and it should slide right in with little effort. Then you can get a few of the other bolts started before unscrewing your alignment "studs." At this point, hopefully you made sure to get long enough bolts so they can be easily removed.

I used this method when I was doing trans work on my S50/ZF car and it worked flawlessly.

Brilliant, will do!

ok here goes.

I was solo re-installing a 5 spd in a 3T truck. That sombitch was an easy 200lbs so just imagine trying to angle it in to place by yourself. I'm thinking 2 days worth until some old timer made a suggestion.

Once the splines start to engage, so there is no risk of the clutch disk dropping, just push on the trans while someone steps on the clutch. The disk floats & self aligns and the input shaft slides home.

Just sayin'...worse case you back off the pressure plate and reinsert the alignment tool

Don't see this happening as the clutch slave is mounted to the transmission and would just push the 2 apart when the throwout bearing hits the pressure plate.

[jeffnhiscars]

Don't see this happening as the clutch slave is mounted to the transmission and would just push the 2 apart when the throwout bearing hits the pressure plate.

Point noted. I forgot e30's are different from 3T trucks....but not by much