tailshaft/torque arm R/R problem

[resinlake]

Hello Brethren and Sisters! I posted this over at thirdgen.org, but have not recieved a response yet, didn't post it too long ago though. If anyone here has suggestions, I'm open ears! Thank you!
------------------------------------------------------------

I did an hour of searching, found some info here and there, but not what I was looking for. Most answers consisted of, 'remove the 4 bolts. Ok, fair, but I have 3 bolts and 1 nut (no nut jokes please) and I'm stuck on how to get this off. I am mechanically inclined as I built a camaro from the ground up including the engine. I just am not sure if even a crows foot would fit on this nut in the space. :confused:

The trans in a TH350, non-lockup. I put in the transgo 350-3 manual kit and it appears the previous owner of the transmission broke the housing for the speedo gear. It is not the bullet type housing so I need to take the tail shaft off to see how many teeth are on the gear so that I order the right housing.

Thanks in advance guys, its much appreciated!

bottom of trans, can see the nut there where I can't turn the 9/16" wrench to save my life.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l227/rochestercam/DSC00430.jpg

another shot of the bottom of trans showing the nut.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l227/rochestercam/DSC00431.jpg

Top bolt that appears to not be able to come out until the bottom nut pictured above comes off.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l227/rochestercam/DSC00429.jpg

transmission is going in this car

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l227/rochestercam/DSC01264.jpg

[resinlake]

*EDIT* - when I turn the rear output shaft, It feels tight, but then the speedo-gear turns and the most front input shaft turns as well. But then, turning the most front input shaft by hand, the rear shaft and speedo gear does not turn. Normal?

Ok, Solved Problem in getting the housing off, it took some dexterity and pliers. New Question- I've replaced the drive and driven gear but here is my issue and a picture attached below.

I noticed with the rear housing in place, but not fully tightened I could turn the front, very front input shaft (smaller diameter) and the rear output shaft would turn as well. I could also see the end of the speedometer/driven gear spinning inside the gear housing.

Now, when I torqued down the Rear Housing, and turned the front shaft, the rear output shaft no longer turned, the speedo gear no longer turned.

I took the housing off, the gears looked fine, the drive gear was still in place with the clip on the shaft. I put the housing back on, and noticed that when torqued down again, the speedo gear would not turn, and the rear output shaft would not turn. I untorqued the hardware again, and noticed that at a certain point of having the housing about a 1/16 - 1/8 inch off the trans on one side that the rear output shaft and speedo gear would start to turn again.


So, now that I'm stumped, what am I doing wrong here if anything? When torque down should that rear output shaft be turning when turning the front shaft?

Thanks ahead of time!!



http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l227/rochestercam/DSC00570.jpg