2.3L. upper tranny mounting bolts

[Blownpiston]

Hi guys, got a 1994 ranger with 2.3 liter motor, and the manual transmission. I have everything out ,loose, or otherwise ready to drop the trans out. Except the top two transmission mounting bolts. One on the left, one on the right, at top corners of the bellhousing. What is the trick, or secret, or just plain way you get to these bolts, to take them out? Those babys are really burried up there, but i know someone here knows how and has actually done this before. How did you get to them to take them out? Thank everyone for a great forum Secondly. how do you lower the trans without a transmission jack, to keep it from falling on you? How to balance it on way down and out? Thanks all..

[Blownpiston]

Originally Posted by Blownpiston

Hi guys, got a 1994 ranger with 2.3 liter motor, and the manual transmission. I have everything out ,loose, or otherwise ready to drop the trans out. Except the top two transmission mounting bolts. One on the left, one on the right, at top corners of the bellhousing. What is the trick, or secret, or just plain way you get to these bolts, to take them out? Those babys are really burried up there, but i know someone here knows how and has actually done this before. How did you get to them to take them out? Thank everyone for a great forum Secondly. how do you lower the trans without a transmission jack, to keep it from falling on you? How to balance it on way down and out? Thanks all..

Well. heres how to remove those top bolts: A two foot long 3/8 drive extension from autozone. Let the rear of the transmission tailshaft down by lowering the support jack, this will increase the "angle" tremendously up front at the engine bellhousing. The bolts will come into excellent view and position to attach the extension bar. Just crank em out! same on reinstall. Also lots of 2x4 lumber and two bottle jacks operated slowly will let down your transmission safely. I hope this helps someone else. Thanks to all who may of thought of responding.

[Blownpiston]

Originally Posted by Blownpiston

Well. heres how to remove those top bolts: A two foot long 3/8 drive extension from autozone. Let the rear of the transmission tailshaft down by lowering the support jack, this will increase the "angle" tremendously up front at the engine bellhousing. The bolts will come into excellent view and position to attach the extension bar. Just crank em out! same on reinstall. Also lots of 2x4 lumber and two bottle jacks operated slowly will let down your transmission safely. I hope this helps someone else. Thanks to all who may of thought of responding.

Another thing to aid in aligning,and to help slide the transmission back in during reassembly is to get two bolts about 1/2" longer than the bottom two transmission mounting bolts. Cut the head off of them, and grind a slot across the top of them for screwdriver. Thread them into the bottom two transmission mounting holes at the bellhousing. Now just start the transmission bellhousing into position and over the "guide" pins, and bam! mates right up.

To bleed the entire hydraulic clutch system fairly easy, i opened the bleeder screw at the slave cylinder at the transmission, and attached a snuggly fitting clear hose, that i ran the other end to the clutches hydraulic brake fluid resevouir. I put some brake fluid in held the end of the hose under the fluid level, and had a helper slowly pump the brake pedal. Keep an eye on the fluid level, and continue pumping (about a half hour) as the air is slowly removed fromyour system. You will see it in the clear hose, and also tiny bubbles in the resivouir. Close slave bleeder screw when done, and remove hose. i hope this long winded post can at least help others, as i have now "been there".