Does anyone, anyone at all, have a surefire way to do the top four bolts of the bellhousing of a trans without removing the trans?

I know of going in from the top, but that method is compounded with the wiring being bolted to the same bolts at the top of the bellhousing, the 84 didn't have this problem and I just shoved the wiring out of the way on that, the 88 however, can't do that.

Option two generally mentioned is the combination of knuckles and extensions to get at them from the bottom. But it would take forever to figure out the perfect combination for that, not to mention the upper two may not be reachable. I could be wrong.

I am considering just getting a universal socket where the knuckle and socket are one and the same, whereas most of the time they're separate pieces. I also have an offset box wrench that might work if I can get the wrench onto the bolt which is a pain to reach in the first place.

Thanks for any other ideas. Trans is a 700r4.

 

I have always done them from above on the tpi cars wiring wasn't really a problem. But a couple long extensions and the swivel socket you are talking about work too. Helps to drop the rear of the trans to get the best angle, also I'm pretty sure I had the distributor out when I did the top bolts from above.

-Jim

 

Pop the dist out.

Then, from above.

Piece o cake. You can just stand there next to the car and look at them.

 

Its already out, and bit tough when you're 5'7. LOL. I'll see if I can get them both ways. Just trying to see if anyone had a surefire easy as hell way to do it. The top two I can probably get with the box wrench, if I pop the hood off and lower the car back down. The two below I can probably get with that swivel socket. I believe that is all I have left before I can pull it out and rebuild the TPI 350.

 

I'm guessing you'd have to drop the torque arm as well to get the room you're talking about?

 

Popping the hood off helps alot. Obviously it will have to come off anyway to remove the engine. What I have done in the past and this helps if you are little guy is take plenum, runners, fuel rail, distributor, etc.. out then put a bunch of towels on the intake manifold and sit on top of the engine to get the top two out. Of course be careful to make sure everything breakable is out of the way.

I have also removed those bolts from the bottom with about 2-2.5 feet of extensions and a swivel on the end. I dropped the tail of the trans maybe 3" or so. Doing it this way is a piece of cake. You probably will need to unbolt the torque arm. I will never again do it from above.

 

Gotcha there. I'll pick up a swivel tomorrow, drop the torque arm from the rear....(did it at the trans before and god what a bitch it was to get back in place). Drop the crossmember, and I should be good there. Should have the motor out sometime this week. Rebuild it starting next week, as I want to be sure I don't have to replace the crank and rods. Hoping I don't have to. It had a rod knock and naturally with a chewed up bearing I found metal in the oil.

 

Yes I have put old blankets in the engine compartment and crawled in to get those bolts out.

 

Yeah, the top 2 are easiest with a SHORT combo wrench; flip it to the box end, and turn it so that the handle inclines forward.

The left upper corner one is pretty much about equally easy from above or below.

The right upper corner is probablt the toughest one; the AC is in the way from above.

Should take maybe 15 minutes to get em all.

 

Will try both methods Sofa, if all goes well the L98 will be on the stand with an "operating table" next to it within the next day or two. Thanks for the tip on the direction of the box wrench. The bottom two were cakewalk of course. And yeah the AC is gonna make that one a real bitch.

 

Guess I'm spoiled, I use my lift and go at them from the bottom. Waay easier for my old bones and fat body than leaning over a fender.. lol

 

Ok where do you live? I need to steal your garage.

 

My wife says I live in here...

 

Lucky bastard!

 

Lucky Bastard...... Can I have one?

Seriously though whats the JY car on the lift? I see a blue formy vert, your T top 350 black, the red firehawk (i hate you so much LMFAO!) The LS1 TA, and a JY convertible TA.

 

Alright, I have all the bolts out but the one on the far top on the passenger side. So far I've been ok without dropping the back of the trans. But to get that last one I think I may have to.....If I drop it I should be able to get it with the swivel socket and a few extensions. I was able to hang the socket with a pair of extensions on the bolt, but when I went under the car to hook up the last extension and ratchet, it fell off. The combo wrench can get on it, but then don't have enough leverage to break it loose. Its right up against the loop at the back of the motor. I was hoping to be able to leave it, but it seems like I'll have to either remove that loop to get the last bolt and put it back on to run the chain through to lift it. Or get it from the bottom with a helper holding the socket in place.

 

On the lift, 92 JY 305 5spd with SLP parts dealer installed. (i'm cloning a 92 Hawk with the aluminum engine and the comp package with this car)
Under the lift, JY WS6 T/A vert (305 auto)
blue vert is 89 formula350 (1 of 42 or so)
that "hawk" is a friend of mines clone, I had #13 in my garage 4 awhile. In the back behind the blue and 2 JY cars is a 89 formula 350 w TTops.
Inbetween the blue car and my black 89 TTOP car is a 70 formula under construction.
My wifes 98 WS6 is on the very left. Emblem was off because I got her a shinny new one and hadnt put it on yet.

 

Is a firehawk worth the buy in price? Especially when one has a 84 T top 383 T56 and fully built suspension with LS1 brakes under construction? I'd bet I'd out run it easily. Anyway, Sweet layout. Did you and a few friends set that up or is it your own personal garage? I know people do joint garages. If I ever get out of the house and get my own place, the garage will likely be like yours if not bigger lol. I do need a lift though...

 

Use this from underneath. Mine popped out no problem. Yeah I had to drop the tail end of the tranny.

 

Its my personal garage and I do work on my friends cars from time to time.
It depends on what you want to do with the car I guess.
350hp and 390lbft of torque with some fudge room for more power is nice considering the car was 240hp and 340lbft stock..
Now if you got a comp car with the aluminum stroker, you may be in trouble.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSXLJysu7cU

 

Well, the way I'm setting up the 84, I think even a firehawk will be given trouble, even the comp ones. Its not a true straight line car, my biggest problem will be traction. But that car is going to be a permanent fixture in my garage (no garage queen though) as it was Dad's. But the '88 GTA I just picked up and which has the 700r4 is going up for sale once I'm done having my fun with it.

Back to topic, I got them all out, there are a couple pain in the *** bolts holding wiring on the block that I'll get once its coming out. Should be out tomorrow, definitely by sometime Friday. Then the rebuild starts once I determine what I need to get, and get an opinion from the machine shop on the rods and crank, due to the knock.

 

Jack the back of trans up till it hits the tunnel that will give you room you need to get at the bolts.

 

That could seriously hurt you if all them extensions came apart. Buy a michelin man suit before using that contraption

 

the factory manual states thus "you may in some instances have to cut holes in the firewall to get at the uppermost 4 bolts" i took the motor mount brackets off the motor and just shifted it around to suit,in this way you can get at them easily ,good luck

 

Man. If you're anywhere near springfield, I'm going to have to check out that Firehawk next time I'm back home.