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

Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 8, 2003 | 11:46 PM
  #1  
LaVidaLoca's Avatar
LaVidaLoca
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Default Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission.

I pulled the heads and decided to go ahead and pull the engine and replace it. Getting the top two bolts that connect the trans to the engine out from above with the heads off was not too bad. But, how the heck to I put them back with a block that has heads attached? I looked from under the car and there is no way I can even get my hand up to the bolts much less a wrench.

OK I know you guys have a trick and are amused at this. So how about some tips? :yesnod:

Any other tips for pulling the engine out would be welcome also. So far I have all wires, hoses, lines and the starter removed. Still lack the transmission bolts, torque converter bolts and engine mounts. This is getting scary. I have a big hole in my car and parts everywhere. :lol:
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2003 | 12:20 AM
  #2  
Aggravated4life's Avatar
Aggravated4life
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default Re: Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission. (LaVidaLoca)

Believe it or not,I got ALL the bellhousing bolts OFF from under the car,and put them back this way with a full motor.I had to lay back pretty far and used a really long 3/8 extension,swivel joint and socket with a big ratchet.It was tough to break free but once they cracked free,it was pretty easy.The exhaust should be out of the way to do this.I even reinstalled them this way under the car.

Another thing I did,after the bolts came out,from the 1st-2nd bolt down from the top I believe,I used a dremel tool with a sanding roll and I grinded down the fiberglass/plastic? transmission tunnel in one spot just enough to make it even easier to get the socket in there.
For some reason,the tunnel has a bump right where the bolt would go causing interference for a socket.Buy some long extensions in various sizes.Also,put some duct tape around the swivel sockets so they dont drop on ya as much.Some of them fall down too much on the swivel.

Be sure to support the trans. with a jack and a block of wood somewhere so it doesnt fall down when you take the engine out and it comes off the alignment pins from the block.
:)
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2003 | 12:26 AM
  #3  
ZD1's Avatar
ZD1
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque NM
Default Re: Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission. (LaVidaLoca)

Actually, I pulled the tranny completely out first...But then I had to move the car out of the shop space I was using. I would try completely removing the exhuast then removing the motor mounts. Once the motor mounts are gone, drop the block a few inches to get access to all 6 bolts.

Make sure you unvest in jacks and jack stands...safety first.

BTW - you have entered into project creep and you've just multiplied your cost by 5...No I am not kidding
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2003 | 12:31 AM
  #4  
LaVidaLoca's Avatar
LaVidaLoca
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Default Re: Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission. (ZD1)


BTW - you have entered into project creep and you've just multiplied your cost by 5...No I am not kidding
You are pretty close on the multiplication factor for LABOR!! :lol:
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2003 | 08:51 AM
  #5  
Z06_BluByU's Avatar
Z06_BluByU
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
Default Re: Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission. (Bill's86Coupe)

Believe it or not,I got ALL the bellhousing bolts OFF from under the car,and put them back this way with a full motor.I had to lay back pretty far and used a really long 3/8 extension,swivel joint and socket with a big ratchet.It was tough to break free but once they cracked free,it was pretty easy.The exhaust should be out of the way to do this.I even reinstalled them this way under the car.

Another thing I did,after the bolts came out,from the 1st-2nd bolt down from the top I believe,I used a dremel tool with a sanding roll and I grinded down the fiberglass/plastic? transmission tunnel in one spot just enough to make it even easier to get the socket in there.
For some reason,the tunnel has a bump right where the bolt would go causing interference for a socket.Buy some long extensions in various sizes.Also,put some duct tape around the swivel sockets so they dont drop on ya as much.Some of them fall down too much on the swivel.

Be sure to support the trans. with a jack and a block of wood somewhere so it doesnt fall down when you take the engine out and it comes off the alignment pins from the block.
:)

With the heads on I had no problems getting to the top two bolts ON EACH SIDE! I did find it was easier to have the intake manifold off.. then the bottom bolt on each side i used a 24" extension, with a swivel socket and it worked like a charm... you just hafve to pull the wiring harness up to get back in there. :thumbs:
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2003 | 09:25 AM
  #6  
Z06_BluByU's Avatar
Z06_BluByU
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
Default Re: Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission. (LaVidaLoca)

This is how I got to mine...

a few from the top while holding the harness back...




and the bottom two while laying on my back...





[Modified by BluByU, 7:26 AM 6/9/2003]
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Pulling engine - question about unbolting automatic transmission.





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:46 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE