Having just got the B20 block off to the machine shop, I figured it was time to rebuild the M41 (may even get this project done before the snow falls!). With the beast on the work bench and armed with the factory manual (my Haynes is at the machine shop to give them the clearances for the engine), and a fist full of gaskets and O-rings, I decide to remove the OD unit (J-Type) to get things started. The gaskets need changing (the PO was obsessed with blue goop - and used it everywhere he could on the tranny - leaks like a sieve)nut everything else was tested in the parts car before removal and works fine. My plan is to get the gaskets changed, O-rings serviced and ready to go for when the engine is returned. This way I won't end up with too many things apart and loose in the shop.

The manual reads something like "remove the nuts from the intermediate case and separate the OD from the rear of the transmission." That's about it...I figure this should be pretty easy, right. So I get the nuts off what I assume is the intermedite case (the one with the 8 nuts) and pulled off the top cover (drained the oil first), but nothing wants to move. I shift the transmission into various gears (all seems fine), but the long output shaft from the transmission is not coming out of anything.

Stand around the shop for a while playing with the gizmos in the transmission, do a quick examination of the general condition of gears etc. Take another look the diagram - should be a splined shaft from the transmission into the OD, why won't it slide out...go in for a closer look at the OD.


I notice that the PO has beat the crap out of the OD at some time in an attempt (successful or not, I'm unsure)to remove it (no internal damage (it does work), but the outside of the bolt flange that attaches the two halves together has the corners beat). So at least I'm not the first to have trouble - I decide that an e-mail to appeal to your collective wisdom is a more appropriate method of removal.

I have looked at Duane's M46 rebuild article, but the description of disconnecting the solinoid sounds like I need an extra appendage to make it work. So what's the best way to get the OD unmatted from the output shaft?

Thanks in Advance.
Craig

In the mean time, I believe I've earned a beer (or perhaps a glass of single malt) for my efforts (reward threshold is pretty low at this point).