Ultramag

I bought this truck for 900 bucks and need to rebuild the motor. I was going to take out the motor seperate from the tranny but now thanks to a suggestion I may try to take the whole eng tranny and transfer case out as a unit. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep writing those great tips guys it has really made this decision easier.

Thanks Pete

mt_goat

Once you have the engine and tranny mounts undone you can lift the engine slightly and move it forwards about 3 or 4" and get to those top two tranny bolts from the top with a breaker bar. Just support the tranny good with a floor jack so the jack wheels can move with the tranny.

SLOWBOOST

is it really that hard to unbolt the tranny?

InternetRoadkill

The top couple of bolts are always a problem. It doesn't really matter what car you're talking about. I've removed/installed the tranny twice in 2 days on my 4R trying to diagnose an ugly noise. Oddly enough, the hardest bolt to remove was the bolt holding the dipstick on the tranny. The LCE headers make that a real challenge.

SLOWBOOST

Thats why they make swivels and extensions, for times like that.

Ultramag

Thanks I think I may try to shift it forward and unbolt since I have the whole thing loose now any way.

Jay351

I really had no problems when we removed my tranny to do the clutch. Did it in the driveway with a good assortment of extensions and swivels. We did have an impact though

RobD

I've done the whole thing as one unit, engine...tranny...transfer case.

My advice, don't. It is a major pain.

If you're absolutely set on it, pull your rad, and make sure your speedometer cable is out of the way so it doesn't catch on the top of your tranny.

mt_goat

X2, I saw where one guy broke out his windshield doing it.

RobD

For me it was bending and scraping the rad support.

Then there's the fun of getting it back in...you're best off unbolting the tranny and going from there.

Ultramag

Thanks Robb I decided I was wussing out and left the motor in the truck. I started yesterday and this morning I will take the heads off. Not a bad days work for a rookie. The truck has 325K miles and boy does it show. The black carbon build up is amazing I will get some pics later this morning and post them. Any suggestions on the removal of that crud?

Pete

Yopar

iTrader: (2)

Extra long extension with swivel gets those 2 top trans bolts, going in from the bottom of the truck and have someone up top to put the socket on them. There's always something that holds you up, and there's always a way. Or, remove the hood, and use a closed box wrench from above, and use a hammer to 'impact' them loose.

tlarimer

I just yanked my 3vze out this afternoon, I used two 3" extensions, two 12" extensions and one swivel, It was way easier than I had imagined after reading for days on how to get those bolts out.

RobD

See, told you so. It's much, much worse trying to do it as one giant piece.

foot0069

Wrap some electrical tape around the swivel. That will sorta hold it at the angle you need to slip it on. I made an extension years ago for those top bolts. took a 6" X 1/2" extension cut it in half found a pice of pipe about 3' long with the id close to the od of the extension and welded em all together. Makes it super easy to get em loose.
Jim

Ultramag

tlarimer what are you going to do with the motor. Are you rebuilding or just swapping?????? Thanks for all the advice guys it has made it much more enjoyable to beat my head on the wall knowing others are trying to put pillows up to soften the blow

tlarimer

Well, if I can find a fix for the small hole in my block,I am going to be rebuilding it.

mt_goat

That sounds pretty risky to me. If you're going to put a lot of money into rebuilding it, start with a good block.

toythumper

Newbie here. I'm pulling the motor tomorrow and have taken all the jewelry I can off the motor. I've taken all the bolts I can see joining the tranny to the motor but everyone keep talking about two bolts at the top of the tranny. Do you have to disconnect the tranny from the propeller shaft and move the tranny/motor combo forward to get the last 2 bolts out? I have reviewed all the suggestions/comments from all you guys. Wish me luck & I'll keep you posted.

Ultramag

Once I had my motor tore down to just the block left the last bolts were cake. Dont forget the starter bolts though. Good luck

Pete