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Topic: Removing transmission

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Removing transmission

Posted: 6/18/06 3:47pm Message 1 of 11
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Huntsville, AL - USA
Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 857
Vette(s): 1971 convertible,375 HP 350ci,Muncie 4-speed,Edelbrock aluminum heads and RPM air-gap manifold,HEI distrubiter - old school mechanical tach drive. LOUD side exhaust!
I get the engine lift delivered tomorrow, so I'm in the final prep stages for taking out the engine and transmission. Should I take out the engine and transmission as one unit, or just take out the engine and then drop the transmission. It's a 4-speed. If I drop it down, how heavy is that sucker? Thanks in advance for the advice!


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Removing transmission

Posted: 6/18/06 3:58pm Message 2 of 11
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Personally, I like to remove the trans first. That's just one less hunk-o-metal that can damage the top of the car!! It also gives you more room to manuver. Take the trans, bellhousing, and the clutch off. This way, you won't have to remove the radiator.
The trans by itself will be around 75lbs.


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Removing transmission

Posted: 6/18/06 7:39pm Message 3 of 11
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Naples, FL - USA
Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!
Adam is correct on seperating the trans and engine. Lot less to haul out of the engine bay. Also make sure the lift you have is long enough to reach over the nose. It will be pretty tight. You may have to jack one side up and remove the tire to get the hoist in.


Removing transmission

Posted: 6/18/06 9:47pm Message 4 of 11
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black
Just been through this exercise and I had to take the left wheel off and attack it from the side.  Had no problem getting it all out with a tilt adjuster on the engine and removing the radiator.  Just make sure you disconnect ALL the earth leads.


Removing transmission

Posted: 6/19/06 3:11am Message 5 of 11
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DOWNINGTOWN, PA - USA
Joined: 11/24/2001
Posts: 962
Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop 454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes 2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior
Make sure you put a block of wood (2x4)  between the back of the engine and the firewall, or remove the distributor.  When you pull the trans, the engine weight will shift and cause the top rear of the engine to move closer to the firewall.



Removing transmission

Posted: 6/19/06 4:21pm Message 6 of 11
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
Good observation by glenns. Definitely pull the distributor before you start removing the trans. The engine will lean toward the firewall as the the engine weight shifts.
Scott



Removing transmission

Posted: 6/19/06 5:40pm Message 7 of 11
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Fayetteville, NC - USA
Joined: 2/13/2005
Posts: 244
Vette(s): 1968 Corvette Convertable, 4 spd, 350 SB, Daily Driver

I had to jack my engine up with a floor jack to get the rear of the tranny high enough to slip it past the crossmember.  It definately makes sense to seperate the engine at the bell housing.  At least you wont have to worry about the tail shaft tearing something up on the way out.

 

JR




Removing transmission

Posted: 6/20/06 1:44pm Message 8 of 11
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VENTRESS, LA - USA
Joined: 10/8/2003
Posts: 87
Vette(s): 1971 Blue Roadster, sb400, cam, electronic ignition,10 disc CD changer, 2.5" chambered exhaust, 3.36 rear,tremec 5 speed from Classic Chevy, fiberglass rear spring and vintage air.
When I did mine the first thing was jack the front end up and sit on jack stands. Next remove drive shaft and unbolt trans mount then jacked rear of engine and slid trans out. After trans then hooked up hoist and removed bell housing and clutch. Was able to work hoist around engine stand and still get under car.    Ray


Removing transmission

Posted: 6/20/06 4:07pm Message 9 of 11
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black

I believe you already have the mainfold and heads off?  Hence no distributor in.  With all the top end gear off and the radiator out it's definately easier to take the engine and gearbox out in one piece.

The way I did it (after removing the top end) was remove the headers from the exhaust (I have "out the back" pipes) disconnect the shifter linkages (don't forget the reverse light switch) and speedo cable, undo the rear gearbox mount and two exhaust clamps holding the pipes to the bracket in between the gearbox mount and gearbox, drain the gearbox, undo all electrical connections to the engine, remove radiator and hood, undo the engine mounts (single bolt, but I didn't have to because the rubber on my mounts had parted company) carefully lift the engine and use the tilt mechanism as you pull the engine forward.  Support the gearbox with a jack to clear the crossmember and continue to lift, adjust tilt and pull forward until the harmonic balancer clears the radiator support, then you should be able to just lift and lift until the whole lot will clear the body.

I reckon I'll be putting it back in the same way as it's a lot easier to assemble the engine and gearbox while it's out of the car.

JMHO.  Which ever way you do it, you're gonna enjoy the work.




Removing transmission

Posted: 6/20/06 7:24pm Message 10 of 11
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Huntsville, AL - USA
Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 857
Vette(s): 1971 convertible,375 HP 350ci,Muncie 4-speed,Edelbrock aluminum heads and RPM air-gap manifold,HEI distrubiter - old school mechanical tach drive. LOUD side exhaust!

Everyone - I appreciate all of the advice. I still have the left head on the block (can't move the header out of the way to undo the lower bolts. I will pull both out as a unit. I'm going to put them back in as a unit too. I'm taking out the radiator to get it pressure tested and the radiator support to repaint, so I should have plenty of clearence. I'll take pictures along the way.




in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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