96 S-10 4.3 X Tran removal

golfuserd · 09-11-2006, 12:30 PM

Anybody know how to get to the top bolts of the clutch bell housing for a 96 S-10 4.3 X? There's no room in there. Can't get a wrench on them even with the trans hanging down. Even with ratchet extensions the truck body doesn't permit proper angle needed to get on bolt.

jhouser · 09-12-2006, 03:49 PM

I just dropped transmission on my '99 2.2L. Those two bolts were terrible. I ended up getting them off with 3 feet worth of extensions and a wobbly on the end attached to an impact gun. It was a two person job and was not fun, but it was doable. I hope this helps you out.

golfuserd · 09-13-2006, 12:57 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'll give it a shot.

lweford · 09-14-2006, 09:07 PM

I have removed my transmission in my '94 4x4 and I used about 3' of ext and the wobble like the second reply. You need one person to guide the socket onto the bolt head from the engine compartment while the other person under the truck turns them. Good luck nothing on s-10s are easy to work on. Just replaced the starter on my 4x4. Not bad, only had to unbolt motor mounts and transmission mounts and jack everything up to get it out. Replaced it with a mini gear reduction starter.

silicon212 · 09-15-2006, 01:40 AM

They actually make extensions that are 28" or so long that you can get at Autozone. I got one for doing my transmission stuff, for those very two bolts, and it was a Godsend.

golfuserd · 09-15-2006, 07:06 AM

The key was unhooking the exhaust line which allowed the engine to tilt back more. The book I have said unhook exhaust "if necessary for clearance". It looked like to me the tran could have "cleared" without fooling with the rusty exhaust bolts but now I believe that the "clearance" was referring to getting to those top bellhousing bolts.

What a mess. A bummed elbow and chipped tooth into this project and I've still got some work to do this weekend. I miss my 80 model Supra when it comes to back-yard mechanicing. (Wait til you have to change a fan clutch on S10 96+ models -- pretty crafty of those GM fellas. Wonder how many tools they've designed in addition to the parts that go with them?)

Thanks for all replies. This is a really helpful forum. That blaster spray that I learned about here did a number on those rusty bolts. :-)

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