a4ld removal tips?

[iamlew]

So took out my first tranny yesterday. But the engine was down to the block, no heads, nothing. Mostly curious what the best approach is to getting out the bolts on the top of the transmission.

Working in an 87 ranger 4x4 with the 2.9l in it. Everything else came out pretty well for the most part Forgot to remove the transfer-case shifter which really made it hard to pull out =p

 

[budro]

Lots of extensions if you are going to be underneath. Ive got a 2 foot rod welded up just for those. Most of the time you can get a box end wrench on the top 2 bolts though from under the hood.

 

[NBRanger]

Take the exhaust loose from the manifolds so the y-pipe can fall down a bit. Support the trans with a jack and take out the cross member. Now drop the jack down so you can see the bolts from under the truck. the motor will pivot on it's mounts. Its the only way to go, unless you can pull the motor and trans together. You can get at them from under the hood on a manual transmission but I have not been able to do that with the automatic. To put it back in, make yourself some guide pins to help line it back up with the motor. Make sure the torque converter is seated all the way before closing the gap. All the jockying around under the truck can cause it to slip out.

 

[Destroyer000]

they are really easy to get out once the floor shifter is out of the way. ask me how i know.. i fought with mine for 3 days.. in an out 7 times in my race truck..

 

[Roger]

Lower the rear of the trans, and extensions. Worked well with our Explorer. Wobble extension works quite well too. Even an old inflexible guy like me can do it.

 

[Psychopete]

I used a snap-on swivell head ratchet when I pulled my 2.9L first 5 or 6 years ago, and to install. I just used the same ratchet 4 months ago when it came back out. Used the same ratchet to install the top bell bolts for my AOD and 5.0L. Also used that ratchet when I swapped a 262ci V8 for a 327ci and also on a I6-200 that was mated to a C4. Oh, and also on a 351M to a C6 in a 1983 F150.

Pete

 

[iamlew]

Well, we got it out. Only took 3 days. The top bolt got rounded, luckily a 6 point socket got it off. That and a 23" extension and break bar =p

After that it went smooth, didn't need to touch the exhaust, it slid right out mostly. the only problem was the tranny caught the body on the top so we just lowered the jack and wiggled it until if fell onto the jack (tossing it anyways)

Looks like it'll go in a bit easier =) After that one bolt it took maybe 45 mins to get everything else off and out, stupid top bolts. Oh well, always need to strip one bolt right?

 

[88rangerboy]

That's why I love my 3" body lift. it made everything so much easier.

 

[fordmandan87]

the bell housing gets caught up on the exhaust. wiggle and pry on it and it will come out