This afternoon I finished up replacing the automatic transmission in my '87 240 wagon with an m46 from an '85 turbo wagon. I used a resurfaced, dished flywheel from another '87 and a new clutch kit for an '87. A new release bearing was used as well as a new clutch fork as the old one was cracked. I ordered an m46 harness from Dave Barton. Everything seems to work as it should with one exception...

The transmission turns even when the clutch is disengaged. This makes putting the car in reverse when it is running impossible. It also makes getting it in to first gear difficult. I have the clutch adjusted such that the engagement point is right where it should be, a few inches from the top of the pedal travel. Thus I believe it is not the clutch disc itself that is transmitting power when the pedal is depressed. I have a couple of theories.

Getting the transmission onto the engine was difficult. I did it with the engine in the car and had clearance issues. One idea is that while wrangling the transmission into place, somehow I damaged the pilot bearing such that it is not rotating freely.

The other theory is that, somehow, the input shaft on the transmission is bottoming out on the inside of the crankshaft behind the pilot bearing.

The car does not make any unusual noises and the clutch engagement is as smooth as can be. I hate the idea of having to take it all apart again, but fear that I will have to.

Any insight about this problem?