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#1
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Remove Transmission Only - Top Bolt Access
So I’m in the process of removing the TH400 in preparation for a 4L80e install. The top bolt/stud on the drivers side holds the dipstick bracket. Because it has a stud and nut holding the bracket, there’s no clearance to get a socket on the nut. I have a 2 post lift so slid back the tans x-member so I could tilt the trans down for clearance- no dice! What is the trick? Do I have to remove the p-side motor mount to get that side lower for access? Fwiw, I’ve always removed the engine and trans as a unit so this is a first for me. It’s a 69 Firebird.
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
#2
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How about a wrench from the top?
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The Following User Says Thank You to max 93 For This Useful Post: | ||
#3
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I've taken the bolts out from the top with a wrench, as well as used a long 3/8 (24-36 inches) extension with a swivel socket to get them from the bottom with the engine tilted (crossmember removed) and hanging from the mounts.
That's how I get them out. |
#4
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I can’t get the wrench on it cause the dipstick bracket is in the way. It’s a stud type- so one end goes into bellhousing/block and the other end holds dipstick bracket on with nut The space between the two is where you can use an open end wrench. The issue is I can’t get to the nut to remove the bracket because there is no clearance between the end of the stud and the trans tunnel. I’ll get pic later today.
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
#5
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Maybe a crow foot socket wrench. Sounds like the stud is against the firewall. I use a 3/8" extension that is 2 ft long to access mine with tranny tilted. I've heard of guys drilling a 3/4" hole with a hole saw in the firewall to access that bolt. Then putting a soft plug in the hole after.
https://www.tenaquip.com/product/gra...iABEgKu2fD_BwE
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68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, SD Performance E-head, Solid roller 3600 weight. Reid TH400 4:11 gear. 29" slick. Best so far 9.95@134 mph. 1.43 60 ft. 76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend, 468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exh. |
#6
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Might have to take distributor out? (probably hitting firewall)
The exhaust pipes may be keeping it from tilting also? Our Birds we drilled/cut a hole in firewall to get to top bolts. (probably don't want to do that, ours were race cars )
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#7
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My Ventura was basically the same set-up, pretty tight for firewall clearance just like the early FB's. I removed the distributor and laid on the engine to access both top bolts with a wrench. It was much easier than trying to access them from under the vehicle, even on my 4 post lift.......
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a Veteran! https://cliffshighperformance.com/ 73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile), |
#8
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Maybe you can get a line wrench on the bracket stud since it is so close to firewall.
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#9
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You could go to a flexible Lokar dipstick and move the location and mnt so it doesn’t interfere. It is what we have went to on problematic dipsticks.
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#10
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One like this.
Last edited by Old Goat 67; 05-05-2022 at 09:20 AM. |
#11
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Maybe you can sacrifice a wrench or two and bend and or weld them to reach in there. Just a thought. Good luck.
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#12
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If you have a cherry picker take the bolts out of the mounts and move engine 2” forward being careful not to run fan into shroud. Makes it very easy I used to fight it tipping engine the hole bit and my buddy said why don’t you just move it all. F body mounts are flat so it’s easy to do and works great. My 2¢
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#13
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Thanks all- the damn nut is totally inaccessible at this point cause it is almost touching the trans tunnel. Is removing one motor mount a bad plan as it won’t lower it enough? Otherwise, below may be my best choice…
Quote:
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
#14
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I have a 68 bird it works great you can’t back the bolts out without doing it.
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#15
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is there room to push the trans up into the tunnel, tilting the engine forward, to move the stud away from the firewall. then accessing the nut from the top?
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“We don’t build a ‘luxury’ car. We build a performance car then we make it luxurious.” |
#16
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Quote:
It almost touches at the top so unless it could be tilted a lot not sure that would make it better
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
#17
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I always take the distributor out before lifting or tilting back Pontiac v8's in 1st Gens. Very easy to bump a single point or small diam HEI up against the cowl.
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Buzzards gotta eat... same as worms. |
#18
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Didn't read all the posts but have easily reached the top bolts for years using a wobble socket on a 3 foot extension and going over the top of the bellhousing from behind the trans. Done a ton of them over the years.
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Jeff |
#19
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Quote:
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Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
#20
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I have a Snap On 3 ft. extension that is 3/8" on the male end and 1/2" drive on the female end. Nice because the 3/8" end stuff is smaller in diameter for the socket end and able to use a 1/2" impact at the tail end of the trans while maintaining a reasonably thick extension as opposed to trying an all 3/8" rig that long.
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1978 Black & Gold T/A [complete 70 Ram Air III (carb to pan) PQ and 12 bolt], fully loaded, deluxe, WS6, T-Top car - 1972 Formula 455HO Ram Air numbers matching Julep Green - 1971 T/A 455, 320 CFM Eheads, RP cam, Doug's headers, Fuel injection, TKX 5 Spd. 12 Bolt 3.73, 4 wheel disc. All A/C cars |
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