Prepping my 4.44 Outback trans/diff for swap...

[chaswiggins]

Okay so I have my transmission from a 97 Legacy Outback and the rearend with the 4.44 gears; my question is this...

What prepping do I need to do to make my job easier swapping out my SVX trans.

-The Outback trans came with no fluids...should I fill the trans before I put it in or after?

-The Outback trans had two metal lines cut, should I simply unbolt those lines from the trans or shave them down and flare them?

I know I have more questions. Any help would be great.

[TomsSVX]

Wait until it is installed to fill with fluids, don't want good atf pouring out of the tail end while installing.

Unbolt the cooler lines from the SVX trans and put them on the 4.44 tranny. Don't bother trying to slavage them

Tom

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

Wait until it is installed to fill with fluids, don't want good atf pouring out of the tail end while installing.

Unbolt the cooler lines from the SVX trans and put them on the 4.44 tranny. Don't bother trying to slavage them

Tom

What He said.

And remove the rubber mount for the OB shift linkage, the SVX cable bolts directly to the case.
Remove the OB rear exhaust hanger, the SVX is different.
Remove the two wire speedometer sensor, as you have to use the one from the SVX.
When you go to install the new transmission, make sure to grease/anti-seize
the center of the flexplate, where the centering lug on the torque converter goes, and the locating pins in the transmission bell housing, located at 3:00 and 6:00.
And make sure you have at least one (but not more than one)locating pin per side.
Remove the OB rear trans mount, as the SVX one is different.
And MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL,
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP SPINNING THE TORQUE CONVERTER AS YOU INSTALL IT, SO THAT THE FOUR MOUNTING LUGS,(the ones the TQ bolts go into) ARE ALL THE WAY SEATED.
You can tell that they are in far enough, IF the transmission side of the lugs are about 1/2" into the bell housing.
And when you install the trans, keep checking the TQ to make sure it still turns freely, even after you bolt the bell housing tightly to the engine!
If it quits turning freely, STOP, the TQ is probibly not in far enough!
Tom.

[svxfiles]

Oh, and about those lines, the one that goes to the front of the transmission has a ball bearing check valve and spring, along with the two aluminum gaskets, so be careful how they come out.

[TomsSVX]

yeah, that was a nice little surprise the first time I pulled them

Tom

[chaswiggins]

thanks a lot people.

Oh I was also curious if taking out all four axles, completely, was necessary. Could I just leave them hanging in place? (<Maybe a stupid question?)

Also, check out this trans jack I just bought for the swap. I hope this make things easier!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3185