Hello all.

Im starting to work on a '83 trans-am. It has a 305 4bbl hooked to an 700r4. Im waiting on the factory service manual in the mail but i want to get the engine out this weekend.

Is it simpler to take the engine and trans out as one unit
OR
somehow squeeze my fat hands in between the firewall and engine to get the bellhousing bolts out? Also with the engine mounts, will they allow me to pull the engine forward to get it off the dowl pins that must be in the bellhousing?

IMO, easier to pull it leaving the trans in. Although it depends on exactly what you're using to pull it, what tools you have, and so on.

Use a SHORT box-end wrench to take out the top BH bolts, AFTER removing the distributor, which has to be done regardless.

CrAlt,

I would have to agree with sofa. If you are leaving your hood on, its better to go for just the motor. I recommend having someone to help guide the engine out so you minimize damage that could occur. Just take your time and make sure your using a hefty chain and secure it properly with some grade 8 bolts.

Don't forget to store your battery so it doesn't drain during your build.

Rabi C.

the hardest one on my car is the middle driver side bolt, might just be my car but it might as well be rubbing on the floorpan, that one requires a wrench for sure
and if your trying the wrench from the top on the other bolts, conviently you can stick a breaker bar on the other side of the wrench to get it started
3' worth of extensions and a swivel also works excellent

have a couple crowbars ready to pry the 700 away from the dowels in the block, and another jack to support the front of it

but if your thinking of going out and buying a load leveler.. oh hell yeah, worth every penny :P

I had to pull the whole deal because my motor was locked tight, kinda work.
I put it back in with just the motor, it was nice going in.

my brother swapped his in the back yard, just pulled the motor, really not bad at all.

Just pull the tranny mount let it droop down and get some long extensions (around 3') and you can get to the bellhousing bolts very easily.

Thanks guys,

I already had the hood off. I got the 27 miles worth of vacuum hose and wiring out of the way. I got the 3 flexplate bolts out and I got the top 2 BH bolts out (easier then it looked once the wiring was gone) and now im stuck on the middle BH bolt. Like someone else said I think i /might/ be able to get it with a long 3/8" exst and a flex joint... but my flex joint is MIA right now so im stuck

Oh well back to work...

i got a lift, you should invest in one, makes all this so much more simple

I wish.. My garage was built in the 1920's and has a basement. The floor wont take it.

I got-r-out once I made the firechicken tool (bent 9/16" wrench) to get them darn BH bolts.

This car has metric AND SAE hardware??

Amusing, isnt it? I remember the same thing the first time I pulled the motor in my 87 T/A out. Left the tranny in, and 3 out of the 6 bolts were metrics. With my big *** hands, its just easier to leave it all together and pull the tranny as one unit. Can be done in a couple hours.