Removing "shift fork plate"
 

While my motor is out (and in the good hands of Mike Bruns), I'm taking the opportunity to clean up the tranny and replace some seals/gaskets. I seem to have some weeping on some of the studs for the shift fork plate on the bottom of the tranny. I'm assuming the gasket/seal kit I purchased from PP will have this gasket in it.

The only thing I can find about removing this plate is in rebuild threads. In Zimmermans rebuild wiki, it's one of the last things that gets installed back on the tranny. It looks like it somehow interacts with some internal bits, so I have a bit of reservations about removing it.

If nothing is coming out of the tranny, am I ok to remove this plate and should have no issues getting back on?

Todd

I had mine out to stop a leak, no surprises. Have a container to catch gear oil that will continue to drip out of the transmission.

Remove it......the guide fork might be loose. Was on mine. All three bolts ( studs) were loose.
Worth a look just for the peace of mind.

The first time I installed the plate I had a little seepage. I replaced the gasket the second time with a very thin coat of Locktite 574 and no drip. Check to make sure the fork is snug on the plate. I have read a couple of threads where it had loosened up and caused shifting problems.

If the trans is in neutral when you re-install the plate you won't have any difficulty putting it back on. If you use the gasket use a thin coat of Curil T on each side.

As already mentioned, check the nuts on the fork plate to make sure they're tight. The fork is fixed in place, so when you install the plate just watch the fork, it's easy to see how it fits.

Sounds good guys!!! It's coming off then. I've got the transmission on an engine stand, so everything is very accessible.

Todd

One more thing; when you clean your gasket surfaces, don't use oil-based solvents. Lacquer thinner or MEK work the best.

Todd

If you are only pulling the bottom plate, I can send you a new gasket so you do not need to buy a gasket set, ..... free.... PM your mailing address