replacing tranny help
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CA
Car: 91Z28
Engine: 5.7 ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.42
replacing tranny help
Hi i am stuck on trying to replace my transmission and was wonder ing if any of you guys have done it that could give me some hints on how you replaced or if you could replace for me but in my house and I would pay you, if not if you could lend me a hand on it i was trying but I could find a way to get to the bolts on the top of the tranny, also I found out that its missing a bolt and had one that was loose. I would appreciate any help thank you.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Concordia Kansas
Car: 1987 Iroc Z 1990 RS 1991 RS
Engine: 454 soon 496
Transmission: Soon T56
Axle/Gears: 308 Posi
Re: replacing tranny help
Your first time eh. Its nothing but bolts and transmisison lines. I have done this alot of times. First thing is first. TAKE OFF THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP! b/c it will break. But you wil need to use a jack or transmission jack to hold the transmission up. once you unbolt the 4 bolts off the crossmember 2 on each side. YOu then disconnect the drive shaft and the traction bar that runs down to your rearend. Unbolt the traction bar behind the transmission and unbolt the driveshaft at the rearend becareful not to drop the bearings out of the caps on the driveshaft or you will be buying new ones. WHen you do this you will need to slide the driveshaft off the transmission shaft. Then you unbolt the transmission cooler lines on the passenger side of the transmission. its 7/16 wrench make sure its a box wrench or 10mm or 11m i believe. One you pop them off. YOu will have transmission fluid leak a bit. NO worries on that just find some rubber and cap them off. Then you would unbolt on the driver side the shifter cable one bolt. Then unplug the wire that runs i believe on the passenger side.
After all that. Assuming you already unbolted the torque converter off the flywheel there are 3 bolts. You will need to have something to wedge the flywheel with a screwdriver thru one of the eye holes or a pipe. So when you unbolt the bolt it won't turn on you and then use that to turn the engine. They are spaced out but only 3 bolts but if you have done this its time to begin lowering the transmission slowly down. Make sure not to far but enough to see the top bolts i would say 30 degrees. NOw you will have to put a block of wood and another jack under the oil pan on the engine. Because if you don't u will put the distributor understress and if you didn't take the cap off you will break it. once you lowered it a bit. YOu will look at the distributor clearance on the firewall should be 1/8 inch leave it there do not go down any further block the engine oil pan. USE wood if you use metal you will bend the oil pan. And make sure its like a 2x4 so it puts the weight evenly on the pan and not in one place. Then you will use about a 14inch or 16 in extenstion on a socket wrench and begin unbolting. once you get the bolts out VERY Dangerous but i rock the transmission out slowly with the jack if you have a transmission jack its all good but once you disconnect from the engine off the pins the transmission will wobble. Make sure BE SAFE ON THIS OR IT WILL INJURE YOU BADLY IF IT DROPS. Then reverse the process of putting the other transmission in mind you when you put the other transmission in you make sure you seat the torque converter on first do not bolt it up on the flywheel and try to shove the transmission in it or it will ruin the front pump. ANd another thing on the reversal process you will need to bolt the transmission on on the engine before bolting the flywheel to the torque converter.
Make sure one thing to be easy it unhook everything from the transmission before removing the crossmember thats the cooler lines and the shift cable and the drive shaft and the torque arm sorry i didn't put that in there first.
After all that. Assuming you already unbolted the torque converter off the flywheel there are 3 bolts. You will need to have something to wedge the flywheel with a screwdriver thru one of the eye holes or a pipe. So when you unbolt the bolt it won't turn on you and then use that to turn the engine. They are spaced out but only 3 bolts but if you have done this its time to begin lowering the transmission slowly down. Make sure not to far but enough to see the top bolts i would say 30 degrees. NOw you will have to put a block of wood and another jack under the oil pan on the engine. Because if you don't u will put the distributor understress and if you didn't take the cap off you will break it. once you lowered it a bit. YOu will look at the distributor clearance on the firewall should be 1/8 inch leave it there do not go down any further block the engine oil pan. USE wood if you use metal you will bend the oil pan. And make sure its like a 2x4 so it puts the weight evenly on the pan and not in one place. Then you will use about a 14inch or 16 in extenstion on a socket wrench and begin unbolting. once you get the bolts out VERY Dangerous but i rock the transmission out slowly with the jack if you have a transmission jack its all good but once you disconnect from the engine off the pins the transmission will wobble. Make sure BE SAFE ON THIS OR IT WILL INJURE YOU BADLY IF IT DROPS. Then reverse the process of putting the other transmission in mind you when you put the other transmission in you make sure you seat the torque converter on first do not bolt it up on the flywheel and try to shove the transmission in it or it will ruin the front pump. ANd another thing on the reversal process you will need to bolt the transmission on on the engine before bolting the flywheel to the torque converter.
Make sure one thing to be easy it unhook everything from the transmission before removing the crossmember thats the cooler lines and the shift cable and the drive shaft and the torque arm sorry i didn't put that in there first.
Last edited by berlin305; Oct 21, 2009 at 12:38 AM.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Concordia Kansas
Car: 1987 Iroc Z 1990 RS 1991 RS
Engine: 454 soon 496
Transmission: Soon T56
Axle/Gears: 308 Posi
Re: replacing tranny help
ONe thing you will need if you don't have is BUY a camaro repair manual book either Haynes or Chilton at the local parts store. Or a book store. they have one 1982 to 1992 repair manual. Gives you the steps to do it thats how i done it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CA
Car: 91Z28
Engine: 5.7 ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: replacing tranny help
It sounds complicated, but i am going to try so i have to take of the dizzy cap then
Re: replacing tranny help
YES! You need to let the back of engine drop down a few inches to get at the top bolts on the bell housing. There is not enough clearance to do it with the distributor cap in place, and that plastic cap will not support the weight of the engine. Also get someone to help you as a spotter. You need to drop the engine as far as you can without smashing the distributor into the firewall, so you need someone watching while you carefully lower the back of the engine.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Car: "Justine" 91 RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Stage 2 700r4 1600 stall
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: replacing tranny help
Hi I see you would like some help with replacing your transmission. I have done these a few times and it's not very complicated. If you still haven't changed them let me know and i'd be glad to help you/Do it for you. (530) 526- 9530 just let me know.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Car: "Justine" 91 RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Stage 2 700r4 1600 stall
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: replacing tranny help
A shop would charge you upwards of $300 if you already had the old one out and the new one ready to be put in assuming all that was done, however I don't know your situation which is why I would like to talk to you on the phone. I am a US Marine have been a mechanic for five years now and will not charge you more than $150 and maybe some food and drinks. I enjoy working hard and not taking advantage of people so if you like my offer let me know?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CA
Car: 91Z28
Engine: 5.7 ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: replacing tranny help
Well i talked to a mechanic that was gonna charge me $120 but he hasn't call me back to say when he is coming so if he doesn't call me by friday i will call you
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Car: "Justine" 91 RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Stage 2 700r4 1600 stall
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: replacing tranny help
What do you mean? you can call me on fri or sooner would be nice to let me know the scoop but it's up too you?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CA
Car: 91Z28
Engine: 5.7 ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: replacing tranny help
What i am trying to say if the guy doesn't call me back by friday i will call you
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