Lowering Transmission

I have the VSS sender, the speedo, and the shift linkage out. What I still need to get are the two fluid lines and the Throttle Valve cable. The problem is that I have no access whatsoever to these because it's too cramped and because I couldn't remove the dipstick/filler pipe yet. Would I be able to take off the crossmember and lower the tranny by a jack just a few inches and not harm the lines or the TV cable?

Would I be able to take off the crossmember and lower the tranny by a jack just a few inches and not harm the lines or the TV cable?
Yes, you have to lower the transmission to getthe lines and TV cable off. If you are worried about damaging the TV cable, you could disconnect the cable from the throttlebody and from the bracket on the plenum.

Yes, you have to lower the transmission to getthe lines and TV cable off. If you are worried about damaging the TV cable, you could disconnect the cable from the throttlebody and from the bracket on the plenum.

Oh good, I do have to lower it, thought I was going crazy.

The crossmember, the 4 bolts holding it on the frame are 15mm but what is the nut holding the crossmember to the transmission? 17mm? 11/16 was very close.

Can the tran pan hold the weight of the transmission (lowering by one jack) or should I use a piece of wood to distribute the weight? To me it's just another thing to worry about falling off of the jack.

Yes, use a piece of wood to distribute the weight on the pan, or jack it on the tail housing.

piece of wood on the pan. I personally would never trust th tailhousing with a jack under it...

piece of wood on the pan. I personally would never trust th tailhousing with a jack under it...

Neither would I. We cut a piece of plywood, removed the flywheel cover and are removing the last 2 bolts of the crossmember.

Quick question, are we unbolting the flywheel from the torque converter or does it just slide out?

if youre just dropping it, best bet is unbolt the TC. You can slide them off but require more room than you have (at least on a 4th gen this is the case) if the engine is still totally attached/in the car

No I'm actually swapping 700R4s, so you're saying I have to remove the torque converter first?

The only thing worse than doing an IROC tranny, is doing one on jack stands. Sounds like Morley has done it before.
The tv cable has to be disconnected from the throttle unit befor it can be taken off the tranny internals. I have an oil suction pump that I stick down the dip stick tube and suck out the fluid. It keeps from making a huge mess everywhere.
Yes, the torque converter needs to be unbolted and then slid back into the tranny. I have a fly wheel that I bolt to my floor jack when I can't get a vehicle up on the lift. Then I strap the tranny to the fly wheel w/a motor cycle tie-down.
There's also a bell housing bolt that is impossible to get out, unless the crossmember is removed and the tranny is tilted down.

Here's a trick: Remove the tv cable from the trans case. Get a section of 5/16" steel brake/fuel line and bend one end into a 180degree curve. Stick the short end down into the tv cable hole to the bottom of the inside of the pan. Use a blow gun and blow air down across the bottom of the end of the tube. It'll make a suction to draw out the fluid, once it starts to flow, it can be siphoned out into a drain pan.

Good luck.

OKay, A few things. There's a DAMN BRACKET on the firewall, attached BY one of the top trans-to-engine bolts and this bracket is welded to the FILLER TUBE. The filler tube you guys told me to pull out easily. Well It's doesn't exist anymore because in order to get to the oil cooler lines and the top bolt, we pulled it off and broke it off the bracket, which is bent up a lot now but hey it's out. XD

I did get one oil cooler line out easily, and one I had to cut, the screw was totally stripped and needs to be replaced anyway.

Status, only one other top bolt, just ONE bolt left on the transmission to the engine and my dad breaks the team up for dinner.

if youre just dropping it, best bet is unbolt the TC. You can slide them off but require more room than you have (at least on a 4th gen this is the case) if the engine is still totally attached/in the car

I know now, DON'T DO THIS. Take those three bolts out of the flywheel first. I tried it the other way and the spline is stuck in the torque converter and it's a lot of fun...yeah right. So we're realigning the spline and taking those three bolts out because my dad and cousin believe that's the only way this transmission is coming out. Precision Engineering > Muscle, F*ck!

It's out, my cousin turned the flywheel and used a deep 15mm socket to take out 3 bolts connecting the flywheel and the Torque Conv. DO THIS, IT'S MUCH EASIER

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/358681oldtranny.jpg

And I took this picture to show the underbelly and I honestly think it looks really cool under here.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/358681underneath.JPG

This tranny is going in hopefully tomorrow (saturday morning) after I swiftly rebuild the oil cooler line (1 out of 2) that I cut off with new line and a compression fitting. I wanted to do this after the tranny is on but my family's right...a HELL of a lot more clearance when there's nothing there.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/358681newtranny.JPG