well, i just got my engine in today 350 h.o. but as i was talking to people, some say to take the tranny with it and some say not to. for our cars, whats the best way to do it? i have a 1988 trans am 5.0 tbi with a 700-r4. thanks.

p.s. pass on any tips you have

 

I would definately pull the trans out with the motor, it makes life so much more easier. Plus, you can bolt the tranny up to the new motor before you put it in thus eliminating the headache of trying to do it when the trans is still in the car.

 

i just feel that the more stuff i go to change during this, the more stuff there is to break. is it that hard to line up the auto tranny and engine?

 

I agree, the best and easiest way is to take the tranny with the motor. aligning the tranny and motor isn't that hard but it's a real pain in the butt trying to get the top bellhousing bolts in and tight.

I have don't it both ways and this is the easiest (IMHO). but do what ever you are the most comfortable with.

 

3rd for takin the tranny with it...

 

well i tihnk about what u guys said, thanks. would anyone know the cost for a 1 piece rear main seal flexplate?

 

also, with the gm 350 H.O. it is a 1 piece rear main seal. i have an 88 trans am which is a 2? i keep reading different posts and i tihnk some people have it wrong. thanks

 

I didn't pull the tranny when I did my swap. But I wish I did. It was such a pain to get the motor back onto the tranny. It would have taken half the time to put the motor in if we just pulled the tranny and bolted it up out of the car. And I'm pretty sure that an 88 would have the 1 piece seal. But yeah, pull the tranny, its worth the extra work.

 

I would reccomend pulling them both together, but ONLY IF you have the proper tool to tilt the engine. If you try it with just a chain you are going to cause a big headache. Also about the rear main, Every small block after 1985 came with a 1 piece rear main seal. If your 88 has a 2 piece then it isn't the original motor.

 

It is kinda hard to get the engine/tranny out as one. Plus, you're going to lose a lot of tranny fluid out the tail shaft when you're getting it out. It's not exactly easy to get the motor lined up with the tranny when the tranny is left in there, but by no means is it hard. It just takes time. If you aren't doing any work to the tranny, I'd just leave it in.

 

one more for pulling it with the motor. Drain the tranny first, or get one of those tailshaft plugs, and you are going to be one happy camper. unless you have very thin arms and are very flexible.

 

thanks you everybody for replying so quickly. it seems like most of u say to take em both, but im gonna try just the engine and see what its like. also, im happy i have the 1 piece rear main seal. thanks

 

Get a plug and pull em both together, if you have a load leveler on your picker then this a no brainer choice. I picked and reinstalled my engine and tranny together.

 

No tilt sling - engine only.

Tilt sling - take 'em both.

Drain tranny fluid before removing - no leaks. You ought to be changing it, anyway, most likely.