pulling trans, need words of wisdom

[Facime]

So, Im replacing the clutch on my 89 NA (w58) and I got most of the stuff out of the way today to get to the tranny. I started pulling bolts off the BH, but I am pretty sure there is one up top on the drivers side that I cant see, or feel (cant get my fat ass hands up there). I ran out of daylight at the end and I was pooped anyways so Im going back at it tomorrow. Any words of wisdom on getting all the bolts out?

btw, that starter bolt is a pain in the pooper as well, and Im afraid its gonna be even harder to get back in...any tricks there as well?

I got 2 hours into the job today and realized I'm just getting too old for this kinds of crap anymore. These old bones dont like crawlin around on the ground. Anyway, any tips or tricks you guys know would be appreciated.

 

[Yellow 13]

Go get a ratcheting wrench, it helps alot.

Theres another on top behind the EGR thats a PITA to get as well.

 

[Facime]

Theres another on top behind the EGR thats a PITA to get as well.

Yeah thats the one I'm talking about...I cant even see the damn thing. Is it only approachable from the top, or can you get to it from underneath and to the side?

 

[ForcedTorque]

2-3 feet of extensions will help. Also, remove the driveshaft, and drop the tranny support. The tranny will drop enough to see the top of the bellhousing.

I just had my tranny swapped last weekend, and was able to stay under the car while they worked. I know, shoulda done it myself, but $150 was cheap enough to not do it in the 98 degree weather. Ya, I'm too old to be under there too.

 

[Facime]

Also, remove the driveshaft, and drop the tranny support. The tranny will drop enough to see the top of the bellhousing.

Ahh yes, I hadnt thought of that. Thanks thats just the kind of wisdom Im looking for1

 

[Yellow 13]

2-3 feet of extensions will help. Also, remove the driveshaft, and drop the tranny support. The tranny will drop enough to see the top of the bellhousing.

Thats if you decide to go from under the car, but I hate working on my back. I went from the top with a standard wrench and went about 1/96986598659865 a turn at a time for a good 10 minutes.

If you do lean the motor back you can loosen the motor mounts for just a little more space.

 

[Facime]

^^ Thats pretty much how I got the starter out

 

[Insidious Surmiser]

Yeah thats the one I'm talking about...I cant even see the damn thing. Is it only approachable from the top, or can you get to it from underneath and to the side?

go grab O.... about 6-7 feet of extensions... and go at it from near the rear end... having a buddy aroudn would help a lot too

 

[IJ.]

Remember when you take the weight of the trans off the motor it's going to want to tilt forward.

Keep an eye on the Fan shroud Up and Down
(I lost one doing this)

 

[suprarich]

Pull the motor and tranny out together then it is a snap. But every one is right, 2-3 foot extention with the cross member removed and all the bellhousing bolts are gone.

 

[Facime]

Remember when you take the weight of the trans off the motor it's going to want to tilt forward.

Keep an eye on the Fan shroud Up and Down
(I lost one doing this)

Ugh, you mean the motor is balanced to the front when the trans isnt in place? Bleh...

 

[IJ.]

Yep!

When I put my Tremec back in I have to jack the front of the motor up!

 

[boost fiend]

jack the front of the motor up and get all you extensions out.

or go rent a 8 year old asain kid and have him do it!!! (or at least someone with lil girlie like hands and wrist!)

pops out and in!!!

i learned the hard way.

 

[ForcedTorque]

^The shop that just did my tranny swap was 3 Asians. The feeling was almost like leaving the baby with grandma..........everythings gonna be OK.

 

[Facime]

Well, got the trans out thanks to your tips. Speed Dodeci (Tim) came over with one of his friends and they helped me get the W58 back in...they took off...and I realized I forgot to put the throwout bearing/fork back in the trans...ROFL!

Called Tim, and he came right back, and we dropped it and put it back in about 10 minutes. Its alot easier the second time! I got most of the rest of the job done with the exception of the slave, exhaust, and engine undercover. Gonna finish up tomorrow. Thanks for the help

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

You would have been sorry without that, lol.

 

[IJ.]

Weez: LOL don't ya hate that!

Dropped mine today took me about 35 minutes on my own

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

I'm probably gonna have to do mine tomorrow

 

[Facime]

Well, the flywheel had a bunch of hotspots and the disk was down to rivets on the PP side. The pilot bearing was good (replaced anyways) and the input shaft looked good and had little to no play. The yoke was clean, and the seal in the back looked good. So this thing should be good to go another 100k.

 

[pimptrizkit]

edit, just realized you have finished, i'll leave it here just incase my thoughs might help some one else..

im not to sure how much easier an auto is then a mani, i yanked my brothers trany and motor as a combo, and when i do mine i usualy do this..

start with a few swivles, and ratching wrenches,.

i pull off the brake master, with out busting any lings off, now it sorta will roll over towards the fender, from here i can get more arm in to help holf the back of the bolts as i tighten or losen them.

a nice trick with the wrech wrench, is if you double them up, like how using them locked together open end to box end, you can get the driver side one with out having to put your hands down there to reposition the wrench,

the passenger side one should be pretty easy..

probaly the best way to do it, would be to take the 4 bolts out the cross member, jack up the tranny to support it remove d/s, and do your best to slide it strait back and get enough room to change the through out, and do the clutch work..