WO1998009768A1

WO1998009768A1 - Method and apparatus for assembling a vehicle transmission housing to an engine block

Info

Publication number: WO1998009768A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/014725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jang Hwan Ko
Original assignee: Jang Hwan Ko
Priority date: 1996-08-21
Filing date: 1997-08-19
Publication date: 1998-03-12
Also published as: AU4081097A

Abstract

The method of the invention includes the steps of connecting a first housing (20) having a series of bolt holes to a second housing (30) having a corresponding series of threaded bolt holes (31, 32). A first and second support members (40, 40A) are provided, each of the support member having threaded distal ends (41, 41A) and a sliding portion. The first and second support members are inserted, threaded distal ends first, through first and second bolt holes (21, 22) in the first housing in a direction towards the second housing. The threaded distal ends are then threaded into corresponding threaded bold holes in the second housing. The first housing is then moved along the first and second support members to the second housing, the remaining bolt holes are aligned and bolted. The threaded distal ends are unthreaded and the first and second support members are removed. The first and second bolt holes are then bolted.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING A VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HOUSING TO AN ENGINE BLOCK

Cross-reference to Related Application

This application is a continuation-in-part of United

States Patent Application serial no. 08/701,296 filed

August 21, 1996, entitled "Method And Apparatus For

Assembling A Vehicle Transmission Housing To An Engine Block".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for aligning the bolt holes of a first housing with the respective threaded bolt holes of a second housing for insertion of bolts. More particularly the invention is directed to a method and a simple apparatus for aligning a bolt hole pattern of a relatively heavy, large and cumbersome housing such as a vehicle transmission housing with a threaded bolt hole pattern of a vehicle engine block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the assembly of a transmission housing to an engine block by an auto or truck mechanic, it is quite difficult to physically lift and aligned the respective bolt holes in the transmission housing to those in the engine block. Generally this is a time-consuming two person operation in which both persons lift and try to align the transmission housing to the engine block and then attempt to quickly insert a bolt through the roughly aligned holes until that one bolt threads into a matching hole of the engine block. The transmission housing is then jimmied manually to align the remaining bolt holes in the transmission housing to corresponding bolt holes in the engine block. The other bolts are then inserted and threaded to the engine block. Finally, all the bolts are tightened to connect the transmission housing to the engine block. In a sophisticated transmission assembly process other than the ordinary auto or truck repair facility, an automated assembly process has been developed as seen in U.S. Patent No. 5,459,918 where heavy torque converters are to be interconnected to transmissions. This apparatus obviously is relatively complicated and expensive. Found also in a prior art search are U.S. Patents Nos. 3,102,447; 3,261,086; and 4,518,276 which broadly show alignment dowels, prongs and a temporary fastener, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an alignment kit is provided which is particularly useful for a professional or other mechanic to easily assemble a first housing, typically a vehicle transmission to a second housing, typically an engine block. The alignment kit includes at least a pair of support members each having a threaded distal end and a sliding portion. Each sliding portion further includes a length of chain with a succession of chain links or, alternatively, an other elongated and relatively strong form, such as a length of wire rope or flexible tube or a rigid shaft such as the shaft of a bolt. The support members are utilized in conjunction with the first housing which has a pattern of through holes (a smooth walled bolt hole pattern) in a housing flange and with the second housing which has a pattern of threaded bolt holes which match the pattern of the bolt holes in the first housing. In a method in accordance with the present invention, the first and second housings are generally positioned with the second housing (engine block) fixedly mounted in a vehicle and the first housing (transmission housing) resting on a ground surface, a movable roller bench or a table. A pair of chain, wire or plastic tube type support members are inserted through a pair of the smooth bolt holes of the first housing with the threaded distal ends being inserted first. The threaded distal ends are then loosely threaded into a corresponding pair of threaded bolt holes of the second housing. At this time, the support members are loosely draped from the second housing, preferably from top threaded holes, back through the smooth bolt holes of the first housing, to loose free-ends of the support members. The user(s) then picks up these free ends of the support members, pulls the support members semi-taut and then lifts and slides the first housing along the support members until a first surface of the first housing which faces the second housing comes into abutting contact with a first surface of the second housing which faces the first housing. The remaining bolt holes in the first housing are then brought into alignment with the threaded bolt holes of the second housing. Bolts are then inserted and threaded into the matched remaining bolt holes. The bolt heads abut a second surface of the first housing when the bolts are cinched up on the threaded bolt holes of the second housing. The threaded distal ends are then easily turned (hand-turned) to remove the threaded distal ends from the two threaded bolt holes of the second housing. Two additional headed bolts are then threaded into the remaining two threaded bolt holes. As an aid in lifting and moving the first housing towards the second housing, the first housing is prevented from moving in a direction away (backwards) from the second housing by a pair of hand-inserted hold pins. Each of these hold pins are inserted between the chain links of the chain-type support members.

Alternatively, each of these hold pins are inserted into apertures in the wire-type or plastic-tube-type support members. These hold pins thus act as a stop to prevent backward movement of the first housing. This permits the mechanic to maintain the forward length of movement the mechanic has gained in sliding the first housing along the support members toward the second housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an engine block or housing having a threaded bolt hole pattern in rough alignment with a transmission housing having a matching smooth bore bolt hole pattern with a pair of support members about to be threaded into a pair of threaded bolt holes in the engine block in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic top partially cutaway view of a subsequent intermediate stage of alignment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side partially cutaway view of the final connection between the housings.

Fig. 4 is a schematic top partially cutaway view of an alignment and final connection of the housings.

Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are a side view and side partially cutaway views, respectively, of chain-type support members in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 6 is a side partially cutaway view of a wire- type support member in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side partially cutaway view of a plastic-tube-type support member in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 8 is a side partially cutaway view of a rigid support member in accordance with the present invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of rigid support members and a tightening member, washer, respectively, in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a pick-like holding member in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of an alignment kit in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Initially, as shown in Fig. 1, a housing 20 is generally aligned with a second housing 30, i.e., a bolt hole pattern (smooth walled bolt holes 21, 22, 23) in housing 20 is generally horizontally aligned to a thread bolt hole pattern (threaded bolt holes 31, 32, 33) in housing 30. As further shown in Fig. 1, even when housing 20 is generally aligned to housing 30, there is typically a substantial vertical and lateral displacement between housings 20 and 30. In one embodiment, the first housing 20 is a transmission housing and the second housing 30 is an engine block. In this embodiment, engine block 30 is typically fixedly mounted in a vehicle and transmission housing 20 is initially resting on a ground surface 29. Alternatively, surface 29 can be a roller table or the like (not shown) which can be wheeled with transmission housing 20 into proximity to engine block 30.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, first and second support members 40, 40A which include threaded distal ends 41, 41A fixedly attached, typically welded, to metal chains 42, 42A respectively are illustrated. For example, threaded distal ends 41, 41A are deheaded bolts. To allow threaded distal ends 41, 41A and chains 42, 42A to pass through bolt holes 21, 22, respectively, in transmission housing 20, the maximum outer diameter (O.D.) of threaded distal ends 41, 41A and chains 42, 42A is less than the inner diameter (I.D.) of bolt holes 21, 22. The support members 40, 40A are inserted, threaded distal ends 41, 41A, first, through bolt holes 21, 22 towards engine block 30.

As shown in Fig. 2, threaded distal ends 41, 41A are then loosely threaded, typically by hand about six turns, into corresponding first and second threaded bolt holes 31, 32, respectively, in engine block 30. Preferably, bolt hole 21 (threaded bolt hole 31) is laterally spaced from bolt hole 22 (threaded bolt hole 32) i.e., there is one or more bolt holes 23 (threaded bolt holes 33) between bolt holes 21 and 22 (threaded bolt holes 31 and 32) .

As discussed above, passing the support members 42, 42A through the bolt holes 21, 22, respectively, of transmission housing 20 is normally done by passing threaded distal ends 41, 41A first. However, threaded distal ends 41, 41A may be first loosely threaded into the threaded bolt holes 31, 32 of engine block 30, and the chain free ends 43, 43A then passed through bolt holes 21, 22 from surface 26 (Fig. 2). In either case, second ends 43, 43A of support members 40, 40A are left extending out of bolt holes 21, 22, respectively, away from engine block 30. Referring to Fig. 2, transmission housing 20 is then lifted and slid along semi-tautly held chain 42 toward engine block 30. The transmission housing is held in place temporarily, if desired, by a manually-inserted hold pin 55. The other side of the transmission housing 20 is then lifted and slid on the other semi-tautly held chain 42A toward engine block 30, using chain 42A to lift transmission housing 20 into alignment with engine block 30. Another hold pin 55A is inserted to hold transmission housing 20 and to give rough alignment of transmission housing 20 to engine block 30. (It is understood that transmission housing 20 can be lifted and slid along both semi-tautly held chains 42, 42A, simultaneously) . It may be necessary to lift and slide transmission housing 20 along chains 42, 42A in further increments by removing hold pins 55, 55A, moving transmission housing 20 further toward engine block 30 and then reinserting hold pins 55, 55A in a chain link closer to threaded distal ends 41, 41A.

Eventually transmission housing 20 is in proximate abutment with engine block 30 and all the other open threaded bolt holes 33 of the engine block 30 are aligned with the other open bolt holes 23 of the transmission housing 20. This allows an auto mechanic to thread bolts, typically headed bolts, therein (to insert a bolt through a bolt hole 23 and thread the bolt into a corresponding threaded bolt hole 33). Threaded distal ends 41, 41A are then unthreaded, typically by hand about six turns, from the two threaded bolt holes 31, 32, respectively, of engine block 30. As best seen in Fig. 3, support members 40, 40A are then withdrawn from the transmission housing bolt holes 21, 22, respectively. Regular headed bolts 51 are then inserted through bolt holes 21, 22, threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32 and firmly torqued to complete the connection of transmission housing 20 to engine block 30. Fig. 4 illustrates the final bolt connection of transmission housing 20 to engine block 30 with bolts 51 which are appropriately torqued. Typically a flange 24 is provided on transmission housing 20 to provide a flanged connection part which includes smooth bored bolt holes 21, 22 and 23. As shown in Fig. 4, in the final assembly, the facing surfaces 26 and 36 (Fig. 2) of transmission housing 20 and engine block 30, respectively, abut one another and the heads of bolt 51 abut a second surface 53 of transmission housing 20. Fig. 5A shows a chain-type support member 40 which includes threaded distal end 41 in a welded connection to chain 42 which has second end 43. Chain 42 typically has a length of from about 1.5 to 2.5 meters. Threaded distal end 41 can be a threaded bolt end. Fig. 5B shows a dissembled chain-type support member 40B which includes threaded distal end 41B capable of forming a threaded connection to chain 42B. In this embodiment, chain 42B is connected, typically in a welded connection, to a left-hand threaded plug 44. Threaded distal end 41B has a left-hand threaded hole 45 into which plug 44 can be threaded. (Since plug 44 is left- hand threaded, plug 44 is rotated counter-clockwise relative to*threaded distal end 41B to thread plug 44 into threaded hole 45 of threaded distal end 41B) .

Fig. 5C shows a disassembled chain-type support member 40C which includes threaded distal end 41C capable of forming a clip connection to chain 42C. In this embodiment, chain 42C is connected, typically in a welded connection, to a clip 46. Threaded distal end 41C has a receiving member 47 having a hole 48 therein through which clip 46 can be attached. Clip 46 is fitted with a sliding portion 49 which is slid forward (i.e. moved towards threaded distal end 41C) , typically by a spring, to prevent clip 46 from inadvertently disengaging threaded distal end 41C. Sliding portion 49 is retracted (i.e. moved away from threaded distal end 41C) to allow clip 46 to be readily engaged/disengaged from threaded distal end 41C.

In accordance with the Fig. 5B, 5C embodiments, various chains 42B, 42C can be interchanged with threaded distal ends 41B, 41C, e.g. chains 42B, 42C with larger (or smaller) O.D. can be used with the same threaded distal ends 41B, 41C, respectively, or vice versa.

Fig. 5D shows a chain-type support member 40D which includes threaded distal end 4 ID in a pivotal connection to chain 42D. In this embodiment, threaded distal end 41D has, typically in a welded connection, a connection member 51 altered thereto. Connection member 51 has a hole 52 therein into which a link 53 of chain 42D is passed. The I.D. of hole 52 is greater than the O.D. of the portion of link 53 inside of hole 52 such that link 53 is free to move (pivot) inside of hole 52.

Fig. 6 illustrates a wire-type support member 65 having a threaded distal end 61 in welded connection to a length of a flexible stranded wire 62 which has a free end 63. A series of apertures 64 transverse to the longitudinal axis of wire 62 are provided to receive hold pins 55 (not shown) . The surface of wire 62 provides a smoother surface for sliding housing 20 up to housing 30 as compared to the chain-type support member 40 (Fig. 5A) .

Fig. 7 illustrates a plastic-tube-type support member 70 having a metal threaded distal end 71 in etal- to-plastic welded connection 75 to a length of plastic tube 72. A series of apertures 74 transverse to the longitudinal axis of plastic tube 72 are provided to receive hold pins 55 (not shown) . Fiber or wire reinforcing elements 76 may be included in the interior and along the length of plastic tube 72 to give added stability and strength to the overall support member 70 while allowing support member 70 to maintain its high degree of flexibility. Plastic tube 72 is typically a nylon plastic tube which provides a very smooth surface for sliding housing 20 up to housing 30.

Fig. 8 illustrates a rigid support member 100 having a threaded distal end 102 integrally connected with a rigid sliding portion 104. Preferably, rigid sliding portion 104 has a smooth outer surface to promote sliding of housing 20 thereon. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown) , the threading from threaded distal end 102 continues down the length of sliding portion 104. At a second end 106 of sliding portion 104, opposite threaded distal end 102, a tightening member 108 (e.g. a bolt head) is provided thus allowing rigid support member 100 to be readily turned (e.g. with a wrench) .

A series of apertures 110 transverse to the longitudinal axis of sliding portion 104 are provided to receive hold pins 55 (not shown) . In one embodiment, rigid support member 100 is a metal headed bolt having dimensions as provided in one of examples A-H in Table A below.

Fig. 9 illustrates a rigid support member 120 having a threaded distal end 122 integrally formed with a threaded sliding portion 124. At a second end 126 of sliding portion 124, opposite threaded distal end 122, a tightening member 127 (e.g. a bolt head) is provided thus allowing rigid support member to be readily turned (e.g. with a wrench) .

A securing member 128 (e.g. a threaded nut) is threadedly attached to sliding portion 124 such that rotation of securing member 128 causes securing member 128 to move along the length of sliding portion 124. In one embodiment, rigid support member 120 is a metal threaded headed bolt having dimensions as provided in one of examples A-H in Table A below and securing member 128 is a threaded nut.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, rigid support members 100, 120 having lengths A, typically within the range of 7 centimeters (cm) to 15 cm. Length A is greater than a length E of bolts 51 of Fig. 4 used to secure transmission housing 20 to engine block 30. This allows threaded distal ends 102 (122) of rigid support members 100 (120) to be passed through bolt holes 21, 22 of transmission housing 20 and to be threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32 of engine block 30 while allowing horizontal movement of transmission housing 20 relative to engine block 30. (Transmission housing 20 is lifted to allow threaded distal ends 102 (122) to be threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32 of engine block 30.) In the embodiment of Fig. 8, hold pins 55 (not shown) are insert into apertures 110 as transmission housing 20 is slid along rigid sliding portion 104 to hold transmission housing 20 in place (i.e. to prevent transmission housing 20 from sliding away from engine block 30). In the embodiment of Fig. 9, securing member 128 is rotated (i.e. turned clockwise looking from transmission housing 20 to engine block 30) to move transmission housing 20 to engine block 30. In either embodiment, after transmission housing 20 is brought into abutting contact with engine block 30, transmission housing 20 is bolted to engine block 30 (and rigid support members 100 or 120 removed) as described above in reference to support members 40, 40A.

Fig. 10 illustrates a rigid support member 130 having a threaded distal end 132 integrally formed with a rigid sliding portion 134. A washer 135 having an ID greater than an O.D. of rigid sliding portion 134 is provided on rigid sliding portion 134. Preferably rigid sliding portion 134 has a smooth outer surface. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) , the threading of threaded distal end 132 continues down the length of rigid sliding portion 134. At a second end 136 of rigid sliding portion 134, opposite threaded distal end 132, a tightening member 138 (e.g. a bolt head) is provided thus allowing rigid support member 130 to be readily turned (e.g. with a wrench).

Rigid support member 130 has a length A, typically within the range of 7 cm to 15 cm, which is greater than a length E of bolts 51 of Fig. 4 used to secure transmission housing 20 engine block 30. This allows threaded distal ends 132 to be passed through bolt holes 21, 22 of transmission housing 20 and to be threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32 of engine block 30. (Transmission housing 20 is lifted to allow threaded distal ends 132 to be threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32 of engine block 30.) As threaded distal ends 132 are threaded into threaded bolt holes 31, 32, washer 135 presses on flange 24 (second surface 53) of transmission housing 20 causing transmission housing 20 to move towards engine block 30. Illustratively, washer 135 has a width B, typically within the range of 1 cm to 7 cm.

After transmission housing 20 is brought into a abutting contact with engine block 39, transmission housing 20 is bolted to engine block 30 (and rigid support members 130 removed) as described above in reference to support members 40, 40A. In one embodiment, rigid support member 130 is a metal headed bolt having dimensions as provided in one of examples A-H in Table A below.

Fig. 11 illustrates the hold pin 55 including an entry pick 57 and a tab 56. Entry pick 57 is insertable between the chain links of support members 40, 40B, 40C, 40D (Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) or into apertures 64, 74, 110 of support members 65 (Fig. 6), 70, (Fig. 7), 100 (Fig. 8) respectively. Entry pick 57 may be about 5 cm in length and may have a diameter D of about 0.25 cm. Tab 56 may be an integral square of about 1.25 x 1.25 cm and may be made of steel or high strength nylon plastic.

Fig. 12 indicates an alignment kit 80 of support members and hold pins. Kit 80 typically has about eight pairs of support members (three pair shown) with four hold pins (two shown) , each pair of support members having differently sized threaded distal ends from that of another pair of support members. The different sizes of the threaded distal ends represent the eight most common metric and english bolt sizes and threaded pitches used in autos and light trucks. Some examples of the different sizes of threaded distal ends are presented in Table A. l .ilile .Λ

Example Λ II 1⁾ 1 1 <; 11

Pitch 1 25 nun 1 25 mm 1 50 nun 1 50 mm 1 50 mm 1 75 mm 1 / 14 m l / l ft in

O.D. 10 mm 12 m 10 nun 1 2 mm 14 nun 12 mm 7/ 16 in J7H in where nun = millimeters iiiul ui = inches

As a further example, referring to Fig. 12, support members 90, 90A have threaded distal ends 91, 91A with a first pitch and size, support members 92, 92A have threaded distal ends 93, 93A with a second smaller pitch and size and support members 94, 94A have threaded distal ends 95, 95A with a third still smaller pitch and size. Typically, as the threaded distal ends become smaller, the associated chain also becomes smaller, i.e., has a smaller maximum O.D. Although chain-type support members are illustrated in Fig. 12, it is understood that kit 80 can include other types of support members such as wire- type, plastic-tube-type and rigid support members or a combination of different type support members. Hold pins 55 are typically part of kit 80. A group of about eight sizes of support members allows a professional mechanic to perform transmission-to-engine block assemblies on a wide range of autos and light trucks.

The above description of embodiments of this invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, although support members including sliding portions formed of chains, stranded wires, plastic tubes and bolts are set forth, it is understood that other flexible/rigid and strong sliding portions attached to threaded distal ends can be used. Other embodiments of this invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure.

Claims

I CLAIM ;

1. An alignment kit for aligning a first housing to a second housing, each of said first and second housings having matching hole patterns, said second housing hole pattern comprising threaded bolt holes, said first housing hole pattern comprising smooth-walled bolt holes, said alignment kit comprising: a support member having a threaded distal end and a sliding portion.

2. The alignment kit of Claim 1 wherein said sliding portion further comprises a length of chain attached to said threaded distal end.

3. The alignment kit of Claim 1 wherein said sliding portion further comprises a length of flexible wire attached to said threaded distal end.

4. The alignment kit of Claim 1 wherein said sliding portion further comprises a length of reinforced plastic tubing attached to said threaded distal end.

5. The alignment kit of Claim 1 further comprising a holding member.

6. The alignment kit of Claim 1 wherein said support member is one of a pair of support members included in said alignment kit, said alignment kit further comprising at least one additional pair of support members, each successive pair of support members having distal threaded ends of increased diameter or thread size so as to be capable of being threaded into threaded bolt holes of increased diameter or thread size in said second housing.

7. The alignment kit of Claim 1 further comprising a connection number for connecting and disconnecting said threaded distal end to and from said sliding portion.

8. The alignment kit of Claim 7 wherein said connection member comprises a threaded plug attached to said sliding portion and wherein said threaded distal end has a threaded hole therein for receiving said threaded plug.

9. The alignment kit of Claim 8 wherein said threaded plug and said threaded hole are left hand threaded.

10. The alignment kit of Claim 7 wherein said connection member comprises a clip attached to said sliding portion and wherein said threaded distal end comprises a receiving member having a hole therein for receiving said clip.

11. An alignment kit for aligning a first housing to a second housing, each of said first and second housing having matching hole patterns, said second housing hole pattern comprising threaded bolt holes, said first housing hole pattern comprising smooth-walled bolt holes, said first housing being bolted to said second housing in the final assembly of said first housing to said second housing with first bolts of a first length, said alignment kit comprising: a rigid support member having a threaded distal end and a rigid sliding portion, said rigid support member having a second length greater than said first length of said first bolts.

12. The alignment kit of Claim 11 wherein said rigid sliding portion has one or more apertures therein transverse to a longitudinal axis of said rigid sliding portion.

13. The alignment kit of Claim 12 further comprising a holding member.

14. The alignment kit of Claim 11 therein threading of said threaded distal end continues down the length of said rigid sliding portion, said alignment kit further comprising a securing member capable of being threadedly attached to said rigid sliding portion.

15. The alignment kit of Claim 14 wherein said rigid support member is a threaded headed bolt and said securing member is a threaded nut.

16. The alignment kit of Claim 11 further comprising a washer having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of said rigid sliding portion.

17. The alignment kit of Claim 11 wherein said rigid support member further comprises a tightening member attached to an end of said rigid sliding portion opposite said threaded distal end.

18. A method of connecting a first housing having a series of bolt holes to a second housing having a corresponding series of threaded bolt holes comprising the steps of: providing a first and second support member, each of said first and second support members having a maximum outer diameter less than an inner diameter of said bolt holes in said first housing and a threaded distal end; inserting said first support member, threaded distal end first, through a first bolt hole in said first housing in a direction towards said second housing; inserting said second support member, threaded distal end first, through a second bolt hole in said first housing in a direction toward said second housing; threading said threaded distal end of said first support member into a first threaded bolt hole in said second housing which corresponds with said first bolt hole in said first housing; threading said threaded distal end of said second support member into a second threaded bolt hole in said second housing which corresponds with said second bolt hole in said first housing; moving said first housing along said first and second support members towards said second housing until the remainder of said bolt holes in said first housing are aligned with corresponding remaining threaded bolt holes of said second housing; bolting said remainder of bolt holes in said first housing and said remainder of threaded bolt holes in said second housing with headed bolts; unthreaded said threaded distal end of said first support member from said first threaded bolt hole; unthreading said threaded distal end of said second support member from said second threaded bolt hole; removing said first support member from said first bolt hole; removing said second support member from said second bolt hole; and bolting said first and second bolt holes and said first and second threaded bolt holes with headed bolts.

19. The method of Claim 18 wherein said step of moving further comprises the steps: lifting said first housing with said first and second support members; and sliding said first housing along said first and second support members towards said second housing.

20. The method of Claim 19 further comprising the step of applying holding members to said first and second support members to prevent said first housing from moving in a direction away from said second housing.

21. The method of Claim 20 wherein said first and second support members each comprise a length of metal chain and wherein each of said hold members comprise an elongated pick which is insertable into links of said lengths of metal chain.

22. The method of Claim 18 wherein said first and second support members each comprise a length of flexible stranded wire.

23. The method of Claim 22 wherein said first and second support members each comprise a length of reinforced plastic tubing.

24. The method of Claim 18 wherein the first housing is a vehicle transmission housing and said second housing is a vehicle engine block.

25. The method of Claim 18 wherein said first and second support members comprise a rigid support member and a rigid sliding portion.

26. The method of Claim 25 wherein threading of said threaded distal ends continues down the length of said rigid sliding portions, said step of moving said first housing along said rigid sliding portions of said first and second rigid support members comprises rotating nuts threadedly attached to said rigid sliding portions.