transmission removal on 97 bravada

I am trying to remove the transmission on my 97 and cant figure out how to separate the engine and transmission. I think I got all the bolts out of the bellhousing (9) but I see no way to get to the torque converter bolts unless I drop the oil pan. The bellhousing has no inspection cover.

Any help with this removal process is greatly appriciated.

This is straight from the BOOK:
"IMPORTANT: Vehicles equipped with the 4.3L engines must have the 2 access caps (located at the bottom front of the transmission) removed to gain access to the torque converter through the torque converter housing".
Sorry but there's no picture so I guess you'll need to look for something that could be described as caps.

Got the torque converter bolts out through the starter hole but the trans still wont separate. I am thinking I missed a bellhousing bolt as I only got 9. I guess there should be 10.

I count only 8 in the picture. The removal procedure describes all numerous lines and wires that have to be removed and the fluid fill tube as well.

well there are 9 and I just got the trans out tonite. turns out the dowel pins were really siezed on there. had to separate with prybar to get apart. thanks for the help.

Glad you got it out. Have you found what's wrong with it?

there wasnt really anything wrong with it until the front driveshaft blew up and whacked the heck out of the case near the back. shaved off half a bolt hole and cracked the case up into the valve body area.

BTW if you have any Ideas where I can get a cheap replacement Im all ears.

Thanks for the help.

Ouch!!!!
I'll keep my eyes open.

Check this out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7931211140&category=33727

So I am getting a salvage transmission today so we can just get the truck back on the road and sell it ASAP.

Incidentally since it seems you have a manual -- care to give any insight as to the process for removing the oil pan? I am guessing I have to drop the front diff but I dont know. pan has some cracks that leak oil and some bolts missing. since the truck is apart and that is the only defect when you look underneath I thought it would help it sell for more. pan kit is only 100.00 on gmpartsdirect.com.

Sure thing, I check it out in the morning and post.

Sorry for the late post, the book says pull the motor.

ouch! Ok wont be doing that then.

THanks

OK I got the salvage transmission in and went to drive the truck but the front driveshaft is hitting the body where it connects to the transfer case. It looks like the transfer case is "clocked" upwards towards the body more than it was with the old transmission. I am thinking that the new transmission has a different tailshaft than the old one and that the bolt patterns are slightly different. The salvage transmission is a 96 and the truck is a 97 -- could there be a difference between the tailshafts between these two years?

I don't know. Rear transmission mount correct height?

Yeah its the same one was on there before. I am getting the old tailhousing today if the guy still has my core trans. Sure does mean I will have to repeat alot of work I did this weekend though. Thanks for you help again.

Well I did it.. The thing is finally in and working. Turns out the tailshafts were different -- they had a different clocking to the bolt holes that mate to the transfer case.

Anyway thanks for all the help chris. and BTW I have a new question for ya see my latest thread.