Expert: jack bahm - 5/17/2008

Question
My father-in-law removed the motor in a 1930 buick to repair a crack in the block, now we are trying to replace the motor. The motor and trans are bolted together. The problem is that now that we are trying to put the motor and tranny back we cannot get the motor mounts to come close enough, we're 2 or 3 inches away from the holes in the frame. The clutch pedal is against the floor pan and makes me think that something has come apart in the back of the trans. I know nothing about these cars but I am mechanically savy, is there some way when he pulled the motor that he would have pulled something apart in the back of the trans where the driveshaft hooks up? How does it hook up back there, all I see is the ball that looks like is where the flex is between the trans and drive shaft? Is there a spline that might have come apart? are we going to have to take the trans out to put everything together? How do you even work on the drive shaft? Help of anykind would be greatly appreciated

Answer
I'm afraid I can't help you.  I know Model A's. but not buicks.  If you could find a buick club, they could answer your question.  with the model A, we have to either pull the engine or the rear end to get the trans out.  Are the mounts on the engine or trans?  e mail me at jackbahmlll@yahoo.com
There should be a spline fore and aft between the clutch disk and the trans.  I don't see how that could cause trouble.  I assume you still have the clutch disk centered on the flywheel.  
Is your problem fore and aft, or from side to side??
jack