I had to call it a night after 3 hours of trying to stab the transmission after installing my xtd clutch and flywheel. The block lined up well enough I could get a few bolts on for extra support but I could not get a good block/trans mate. I tried pulling it in by tightening and got a bit worried as one of the holes started to strip. Said nope.. The disc and pilot bearing lined up what looked to be perfect (I am angled a bit in the pic but I couldn't get an exact straight on shot). I left the tranny in neutral before I pulled it. Are there any other suggestions? Something I may be missing? I have changed a total of 22 clutches in my lifetime and have NEVER EVER had this type of issue. Pic below..

 

Here is the pic

 

Ok, I see a couple issues. First, the dowel pin appears to be bent. You need two new dowel pins. Use those to line up the trans. Never ever use the bolts to pull them together, use the dowel pins. Then when you get them in the dowel pins then you know it's lined up and ready to go.

Second, it looks like you didn't quite get the clutch disk lined up. Did you use a clutch alignment tool ? I have had a clutch work fine while being off but it's best to have it lined up perfectly. It's best to have two people work a tranny install. One, underneath lining up the tranny to the dowel pins and the other to push them together when it's lined up. I like to oil up the outside area of the dowel pins to ensure a slip-on fit.

 

Thanks for the reply! I was a bit off center when I took the pic. Lol, but I was able to stab it yesterday after work. I was totally exhausted and having difficulties on my first attempt. I went back, sorta fresh, and lubed the splines with some cv grease and it took 2 attempts and done. Got it all back together and she's running like a champ. No engagement issues, no gear grinds. Clutch is NICE and grippy, and I love the lighter flywheel (8 lbs vs stock 17). No trouble with cruise drive at all for me. Only part for me to learn again is the engagement is much lower than stock. I got about half pedal pressure of some softness then bam, engage. I looked into that and it is normal for a more aggressive setup.