Engine/Bellhousing bolts

[Chad Mason]

I have a 97 4.3L V6 4x4 blazer and the oil pump went out at 120,000 miles, and junked the crank. I decided to rebuild the engine, I have taken the bolts out of the flywheel and 6 bolts out of the bellhousing, but I still can't get the engine to seperate from the transmission. Am I missing a bracket or more bolts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[herkyhawki]

On '97 the alum oil pan provides some support for the trans, and I'm not sure if there are more bolts down there, but there are only 6 on the bellhousing. The aluminum bellhousing can seize to the engine block. I must say that the aluminum may crack if you are not careful. Spray the locating pins with PB Blaster. Spray more PB from top where block meets bellhousing and let it sit.
Make sure you have a jack or blocks under the transmission or it will fall down and the torque converter might fall out. Big Mess! Supporting the trans with jack also relieves some binding force between eng & trans.
If you have an air impact chisel, use a dull round point and press it against the locating pins and pull the trigger. This way, you are hammering on cast iron instead of alum.
You can put a chisel up from bottom between the block and bellhousing. I have done this without problem, but it might be risking a crack if you hit too hard.

[Chad Mason]

Thanks,
The stubborn guide pins were the problem.