I recently purchased a 1938 P6 engine with bellhousing and transmission attached to play with and learn how to rebuild an engine.
My first step was to try to remove the transmission housing from the bell housing. I removed the four bolts from the corner tabs of the transmission housing to the bell housing. However, the housing will not pull back free from the bell housing.
Is there a technique to removing the transmission? My service book simply says "remove transmission housing from bell housing."
It should just pull straight back. Perhaps the drive pinion is rusted to the clutch?
And/or perhaps the transmisssion housing's mating surface and/or front bearing retainer are rusted to the bell housing. Try soaking the interface with a good penetrating fluid. After you think it has had a chance to do its work try using a rubber hammer to hit on the trans housing at various angles. Eventually this should loosen it. If the trans loosens, but will not pull back then the clutch disc splines are rusted to the?input shaft.
The floor shift transmissions have two bolts through the top cover into the bellhousing. It is easier to remove the cover, (with the lever) first. the transmission will then slide right out unless it is rusted around the clutch splines.
I just removed the tranny on my '35 and these were the steps I had to take. Remove the floor pans. Disconnect battery at the transmission. Remove the propeller shaft (remove rear end first). Disconnect speedometer cable. If the transmission is going to be disassembled, loosen the mainshaft flange nut. Disconnect hand brake cable. Remove clutch linkage spring. Remove clutch pivot screw and fork. Remove shift lever cover. Replace the four bolts that hold the transmission to the bell housing with studs (one by one). The transmission should then slip back and out.
If that doesn't apply to your '38, email me, I probably have any different steps in my Motor's manual. Good luck!