Yesterday I finished parting out the 84 turbo wagon. I'm planning on swapping the trans from it into my tan 83 GL. As I undid the last bolt from the crossmember the whole trans came forward on the jack, flopped to the ground and this guy slid right out.

 

 

My only real question is, do I just slide it back in? or did I just create more work for myself before installing this tranny?

Yes, you can "just slide it back in"... except that you need to make sure that both shafts engage inside the tranny AND in the torque converter. This can be tricky, and involves some manipulating, turning, and appropriate use of swear words. IIRC, what worked best for me was to seat the hollow shaft in the tranny first, and the inner shaft in the TC, slide them together and turn and jiggle until everything slipped in to place. You should be able to feel the splines align and the TC slip into place as EACH of the shafts seats (should feel 2 separate events).

 

It is VERY important that when the tranny and engine are remated that the bell housings snug up flush to each other without ANY force. (I.E. - do NOT use bolts to force them together). If force seems needed, then the TC and shafts are not properly seated in the tranny, and force will cause terminal damage to the tranny.

if you accidentally damaged one of the shafts, a replace ment from any 3spd will do, wether it be ea81 or ea82, 2wd or 4wd