C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

pulling flywheel without dropping tranny

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default pulling flywheel without dropping tranny

hello fellas, I suspect a cracked flywheel on my 85 auto.

it is not a wine so I don't think it is the pump.

it makes the noise whether it is in gear or out of gear so that tells me it's probably not the torque converter.

when I disconnected the flywheel bolts from the torque converter and ran the engine the noise went away completely. Additionally, the videos that I took showed a reduction in the amount of vibration at the edge of the flywheel as it rotated when it was disconnected from the torque converter.

additional possible symptoms wear that for about a year and a half, when I went over a swale in the road or a speedbump I heard a creaking from the flywheel torque converter area.

so I suspect it is either a cracked flywheel that just got worse and worse to the point where now it makes noise all the time while connected to the tc, or, if i am even luckier, maybe the bolts to the crankshaft are loose.

which brings me to the point of this thread/question.

I would like to purchase some very long bolts from the bell housing to engine block. then drop the driveshaft.
then remove all of the transmission bell housing bolts but replace the top ones with very long bolts that act as pins with which I can slide the transmission back on without dropping the tranny.

I am doing this on my back under the car on the floor not on a lift and I do not own a transmission specific Jack.

I read about this method along time ago in a forum far away and I cannot remember where I read about it. Does anyone have any experience with doing this on the C4? Your help would be greatly appreciated as I attempt to solve this last remaining problem on my 85 z51 auto thank you

Last edited by VikingTrad3r; Mar 7, 2016 at 12:18 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 12:40 PM
  #2  
antfarmer2's Avatar
antfarmer2
Race Director
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Default

Not sure if there would be room and might break something. Harbour freight has some jacks cheap. Block it up good!!!!!!!!!!!!! Might just get a adapter plate for your jack.

Last edited by antfarmer2; Mar 7, 2016 at 12:49 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 12:52 PM
  #3  
don hall's Avatar
don hall
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Default

Any help?:
Amazon.com: Mercury Mariner Yamaha Force Flywheel Puller Removal Tool Kit for 1-1/2"-16: Automotive Amazon.com: Mercury Mariner Yamaha Force Flywheel Puller Removal Tool Kit for 1-1/2"-16: Automotive
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 01:04 PM
  #4  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Are you referring to having a crack in the flexplate bolt area , common
Kind of a rattling/tack tack noise?

Id just drop the trans, takes a few min to get the FP off and check.
They are cheap these days
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:06 PM
  #5  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

In 2 hours, I changed torque converters at the track on jackstands. Started at 7:00 am amd made the 9:00 race. Remove all the bolts; rear of tranny, torque converter, bellhousing, coolant lines, etc. With the tranny on a jack, slide it backwards and downwards about 16 inches or so. You don't have to remove it completely from under the car. Air tools will get the flexplate off quickly. Reverse the order for reassembly. I don't understand the need for the long bolts.

Last edited by 383vett; Mar 7, 2016 at 02:07 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:31 PM
  #6  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

In 2 hours
Wanna be my neighbor?
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:47 PM
  #7  
scrappy76's Avatar
scrappy76
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
Default

I have done this before but not in a corvette. If you have enough room, you need about 2-3" to do it. As you take out the top bolts install longer bolts, mainly the top 4. Then once you have switched over to the longer bolts, it will stay up and you have enough room to get a wrench in there, loosen all the bolts and drop the flexplate. Honestly just dropping the tranny would not be much more work.
When I did it, it was in a truck and in the mud, couldn't really drop it.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:56 PM
  #8  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Are you referring to having a crack in the flexplate bolt area , common
Kind of a rattling/tack tack noise?

Id just drop the trans, takes a few min to get the FP off and check.
They are cheap these days
yup.

to hear what im talking about u can watch these sound clips in order.

http://youtu.be/VIXRIJB67cg


http://youtu.be/wImGcQUNcnA


http://youtu.be/BhuIG14WDfo
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:57 PM
  #9  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

Thanks I appreciate you sharing your experience. I would much rather use my air tools to run 4 long bolts in and out again than deal with realigning everything, mud or no mud! i thought it was an ingenius idea.

Originally Posted by scrappy76
I have done this before but not in a corvette. If you have enough room, you need about 2-3" to do it. As you take out the top bolts install longer bolts, mainly the top 4. Then once you have switched over to the longer bolts, it will stay up and you have enough room to get a wrench in there, loosen all the bolts and drop the flexplate. Honestly just dropping the tranny would not be much more work.
When I did it, it was in a truck and in the mud, couldn't really drop it.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 02:59 PM
  #10  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

impressive! i might be dropping the tranny if i do not find anything out of sorts with the flywheel.


Originally Posted by 383vett
In 2 hours, I changed torque converters at the track on jackstands. Started at 7:00 am amd made the 9:00 race. Remove all the bolts; rear of tranny, torque converter, bellhousing, coolant lines, etc. With the tranny on a jack, slide it backwards and downwards about 16 inches or so. You don't have to remove it completely from under the car. Air tools will get the flexplate off quickly. Reverse the order for reassembly. I don't understand the need for the long bolts.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 03:00 PM
  #11  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

thanks! i have 2 mercury outboards as well so now i know anout this little tool!

Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 03:03 PM
  #12  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

did u use a regular floor jack? like with the little 4-ish inch diameter tray on it? or a tranny jack? I might do that actually. You swapped the tc while under the car? i suppose i could do the pump under there too if required? i doubt its the pump but hey.

Originally Posted by 383vett
In 2 hours, I changed torque converters at the track on jackstands. Started at 7:00 am amd made the 9:00 race. Remove all the bolts; rear of tranny, torque converter, bellhousing, coolant lines, etc. With the tranny on a jack, slide it backwards and downwards about 16 inches or so. You don't have to remove it completely from under the car. Air tools will get the flexplate off quickly. Reverse the order for reassembly. I don't understand the need for the long bolts.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 03:10 PM
  #13  
Joe C's Avatar
Joe C
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Wanna be my neighbor?
...I got first dibs!

two hours - damn, i'd spend two hours trying to talk myself out of it -
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 04:01 PM
  #14  
BOOT77's Avatar
BOOT77
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
In 2 hours, I changed torque converters at the track on jackstands. Started at 7:00 am amd made the 9:00 race. Remove all the bolts; rear of tranny, torque converter, bellhousing, coolant lines, etc. With the tranny on a jack, slide it backwards and downwards about 16 inches or so. You don't have to remove it completely from under the car. Air tools will get the flexplate off quickly. Reverse the order for reassembly. I don't understand the need for the long bolts.
Before the solid axle with the c-beam?
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2016 | 08:01 PM
  #15  
Sleazy Rider's Avatar
Sleazy Rider
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Marine Corps
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Default

Originally Posted by VikingTrad3r
I would like to purchase some very long bolts from the bell housing to engine block. then drop the driveshaft.
then remove all of the transmission bell housing bolts but replace the top ones with very long bolts that act as pins with which I can slide the transmission back on without dropping the tranny.
I've done this before. when its only you and no trans jack, those things are awfully heavy to get aligned back up.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2016 | 02:28 AM
  #16  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Thread Starter
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
Default

Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider
I've done this before. when its only you and no trans jack, those things are awfully heavy to get aligned back up.

i think i know the answer to this already, but do i have to take the cbeam off?
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2016 | 02:49 AM
  #17  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Originally Posted by VikingTrad3r
i think i know the answer to this already, but do i have to take the cbeam off?
Yes. The trans won't move without it gone.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To pulling flywheel without dropping tranny

Old Mar 8, 2016 | 07:21 AM
  #18  
yd328's Avatar
yd328
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 732
Likes: 72
From: the confused state CT
Default

I've done this before but not in a c4. If you pull the trans I think it would still be helpful to make a couple of longer alignment studs for the install.

Gary
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2016 | 09:02 AM
  #19  
mrodoc's Avatar
mrodoc
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 20
From: Stuart Florida
Default

Originally Posted by yd328
I've done this before but not in a c4. If you pull the trans I think it would still be helpful to make a couple of longer alignment studs for the install.

Gary
I just installed a 3000 stall speed converter in my 1994. The biggest pain is removing the exhaust (mine was stock exhaust with cats, no longer though). The transmission support beam (c-beam) was not as bad as I thought. The Harbor freight scissor tranny jack works like a charm. $99. No problem lining things up for reinstall, and I had no help. As mentioned above, you don't have to move tranny from under the car. Just pull tranny back 4"-6" and drop it a little. Be careful and support your engine, as the oil pressure sensor unit on the back of the engine block can hit the firewall as the engine tips down in the rear without the transmission to hold it up. I had never done an automatic prior to this and I was a little reluctant, but it went well.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2016 | 05:29 PM
  #20  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Wanna be my neighbor?
It was a points race! The car has only a y-pipe after the headers for exhaust and no C-beam, only 2 bolts for a transmission mount. Actually, I'm wondering why it took 2 hours???
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:52 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE