[john walker's workshop]

so it doesn't bend or break the shift rod or the nose cone of the trans. the trans hangs down when the engine is out or lowered and bad things can happen if you don't undo the coupler. remove the allen screw and slide it off the transmission's shift rod.
getting the release fork into position behind the ears of the t/o bearing when the engine and trans is mated is the only thing that is a bit touchy. you need a mirror and flashlight to look thru the hole on top of the bellhousing (look from above, not from below) to get the fork positioned. the t/o bearing can rotate if you're not careful and the fork will miss the ears.