[billthecat97]

The last time I pulled this, engine/trans came out as one unit. Trying to pull trans only after it finally blew up. How to access the two top bellhousing bolts, and what is the secret to pulling out the trans dipstick tube? I have the four bolts on left/right side out, just cant seem to reach the top bolts... helpful hints are appreciated! '72 Malibu, 350/th350

 

[FiredUp396]

I am not a expert by any means but I would think if you have a engine crane loosen one motor mount at a time and you will reach them easy doesn't take much.I will probably be joining you in loosing a 350 soon my truck is slipping.Anyway hope it works out for you
Jeff

 

[zmanabba3]

In my experience you can do it one of two ways (some cars require a combination of both). The first way would be from the top: with the trans unbolted from the crossmember and out of the way use a jack on the trans to lift it up so the engine/trans assembly tilts forward usually this will get you a few more inches of access. The second way: pop off the distributer cap and move it out of the way, lower the tailend of the trans with the jack (but keep the jack touching for safety) and use your longest extention (I have a 2ft) to get at the bolts over the top of the trans. If you don't want to remove the distributer cap. Go ahead and pick one out from Summit/Jegs because they usually crack when they hit the firewall (I will take the 5th for that one lol). As long as everything else is unbolted/unhooked you should be able to gently lower/controlled drop the trans out with the dipstick tube attatched. If it is in the way of the cooling lines then you should be able to pry it out of the trans after all of the bolt are removed (I can't remember which passeger side on it is) even if there is not enough room to completely remove it you then have enough room to access the cooler lines. of course you have drained the trans before you pulled the tube right? Every one forgets......one time lol. Good luck, David

 

[billthecat97]

Thanks for the hints. I was concerned that if I lifted the back end of the trans to get at the top bolts I would crack the trans case at the top where it screws into the block. I will thread in a couple on the sides of the bell housing before I do this, and yeah, I did drain it before I started wrenching on it :thumbsup: Ill let you know how it goes...thanks again


ACK

 

[novaderrik]

either jack up the back of the trans and get the botls from the top- ratcheting wrenches were invented for this sort of thing- or drop the back of the trans and use some extensions on a ratchet or reach up there with a wrench.
for the tube- once yo uget the bellhousing bolt that holds it out of the way, grab it from the top abnd just pull it up.. or leave it in the trans until it safely falls off your jack and onto the floor, then crawl thru the rapidly expanding plume of atf from when the torque converter falls out of the trans and pull it out of the trans case..