Tranny replacement tips....
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Tranny replacement tips....
OK, I've done a pretty good search and came up with the following info:
Anyone have any other 'tips' or 'shortcuts' to add? I assume that install is pretty much the reverse of removal, is this correct? Also, the tranny that I bought from a scrap yard has a different tailshaft housing from the one on my car (tranny mount is different). I assume that these are interchangable, right? And is there an easy way to remove the torque arm? I looked at it and only saw one exposed bolt. Lastly, is it easier to change the tranny fluid with the tranny out of - or in the car?
Thanks in advance. I plan to do the swap tonight and tomorrow. *crosses fingers*
Tranny Removal:
step 1: use jack stands set as high as they will go on all four corners
Drain transmission first. Large kitty litter pan works well to prevent massive fluid spill. While pan is off, remove TV cable from TV linkage. This requires unbolting bracket from valve body. Remove TV cable bolt where cable enters tranny. Pull out TV cable and tie it out of the way. Remove dipstick retaining bolt at bellhousing Push out dipstick from inside tranny. Tie up dipstick tube. Put pan back on. Remove converter to flexplate bolts. Push converter back into pump. Finish removing bellhousing bolts leaving bottom two for last
step 2: disconnect all wires, cooling lines, linkages, speedo cables, etc. etc. from tranny
step 3: remove driveshaft from tranny (use a rag and stuff around the rear seal)
step 4: place floor jack under tranny and support it.
step 5: remove bolts from crossmember and move it out of the way.
step 6: remove dist, and spark plugs… lower tail end of tranny to ground.
step 7: use long extension and 9/16 socket to remove top four bolts from bellhousing. You may also need a 9/16" universal attached to the end of your extention.
step 8: jack tranny back up to normal position and reattach crossmember(temporarily)
step 9: get another floor jack and place under oil pan of motor (to support motor when the tranny is removed.
step 10: with motor and tranny supported by jacks remove crossmember
step 11: undo last two bolts holding tranny to motor
step 12: slide tranny back enough to clear dowel pins and torque converter (you will get alot of tranny fluid draining out of torque converter)
step 13: lower tranny with floor jack and pull from under car.
step 1: use jack stands set as high as they will go on all four corners
Drain transmission first. Large kitty litter pan works well to prevent massive fluid spill. While pan is off, remove TV cable from TV linkage. This requires unbolting bracket from valve body. Remove TV cable bolt where cable enters tranny. Pull out TV cable and tie it out of the way. Remove dipstick retaining bolt at bellhousing Push out dipstick from inside tranny. Tie up dipstick tube. Put pan back on. Remove converter to flexplate bolts. Push converter back into pump. Finish removing bellhousing bolts leaving bottom two for last
step 2: disconnect all wires, cooling lines, linkages, speedo cables, etc. etc. from tranny
step 3: remove driveshaft from tranny (use a rag and stuff around the rear seal)
step 4: place floor jack under tranny and support it.
step 5: remove bolts from crossmember and move it out of the way.
step 6: remove dist, and spark plugs… lower tail end of tranny to ground.
step 7: use long extension and 9/16 socket to remove top four bolts from bellhousing. You may also need a 9/16" universal attached to the end of your extention.
step 8: jack tranny back up to normal position and reattach crossmember(temporarily)
step 9: get another floor jack and place under oil pan of motor (to support motor when the tranny is removed.
step 10: with motor and tranny supported by jacks remove crossmember
step 11: undo last two bolts holding tranny to motor
step 12: slide tranny back enough to clear dowel pins and torque converter (you will get alot of tranny fluid draining out of torque converter)
step 13: lower tranny with floor jack and pull from under car.
Thanks in advance. I plan to do the swap tonight and tomorrow. *crosses fingers*
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Iowa
doesn't sound too bad huh? lol
It is alot of work. Especially if you have never done it before. It is not necessary to jack up the whole car. Makes it easier but not necessary.
I believe there are 3 bolts that connect the torque arm to the tranny.
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
It has a diffferent tail shaft housing? ummm...what exactly do you mean? Is it longer, shorter, or completely different? This could be a problem. If it is shorter and it is a turbo350, you will need an th350 conversion kit as well as a longer drive shaft. We need more info on the tranny you purchased. What is it?
It is alot of work. Especially if you have never done it before. It is not necessary to jack up the whole car. Makes it easier but not necessary.
I believe there are 3 bolts that connect the torque arm to the tranny.
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
It has a diffferent tail shaft housing? ummm...what exactly do you mean? Is it longer, shorter, or completely different? This could be a problem. If it is shorter and it is a turbo350, you will need an th350 conversion kit as well as a longer drive shaft. We need more info on the tranny you purchased. What is it?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Originally posted by Cuno
doesn't sound too bad huh? lol
It is alot of work. Especially if you have never done it before. It is not necessary to jack up the whole car. Makes it easier but not necessary.
doesn't sound too bad huh? lol
It is alot of work. Especially if you have never done it before. It is not necessary to jack up the whole car. Makes it easier but not necessary.
I believe there are 3 bolts that connect the torque arm to the tranny.
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
Well, I have a converter (practically brand new) from a 4l60E that I was going to use (same size) since I think the TQ converter in the '91 is probably bad. It's definitely a 700R4 since it has the connection for the VSS in the tailshaft housing.
It has a diffferent tail shaft housing? ummm...what exactly do you mean? Is it longer, shorter, or completely different? This could be a problem. If it is shorter and it is a turbo350, you will need an th350 conversion kit as well as a longer drive shaft. We need more info on the tranny you purchased. What is it?
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,519
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From: Aridzona
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Originally posted by Cuno
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
You might consider removing the torque convertor as well...you will need to if it is not the same tranny(700r4, th350, etc) or if it is a 700r4 from the early 80's(I am pretty sure they use different torque convertors, could be wrong)
It has a diffferent tail shaft housing? ummm...what exactly do you mean? Is it longer, shorter, or completely different?
Originally posted by 91-RED-WS6
Well, I have a converter (practically brand new) from a 4l60E that I was going to use (same size) since I think the TQ converter in the '91 is probably bad. It's definitely a 700R4 since it has the connection for the VSS in the tailshaft housing.
What I meant by different is that the tranny mount in the 'replacement' trans is near the front of the housing - about where the tranny and tailshaft housing come together. The original mount in the '91 is nearer the end of the housing. The mount for the exhaust originates at a different location as well. Based on my cursory inspection, it looks like I can take the tailshaft housing from one, and put it on the other. It is definitely a late-model electronic VSS 700R4.
Well, I have a converter (practically brand new) from a 4l60E that I was going to use (same size) since I think the TQ converter in the '91 is probably bad. It's definitely a 700R4 since it has the connection for the VSS in the tailshaft housing.
What I meant by different is that the tranny mount in the 'replacement' trans is near the front of the housing - about where the tranny and tailshaft housing come together. The original mount in the '91 is nearer the end of the housing. The mount for the exhaust originates at a different location as well. Based on my cursory inspection, it looks like I can take the tailshaft housing from one, and put it on the other. It is definitely a late-model electronic VSS 700R4.
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Originally posted by jmd
I think that mid to late 1984 and newer 700s had the 30 splines, and mid & earlier 1984 700s had the 27 that the 200-4R has. Off the top of my head.
I think that mid to late 1984 and newer 700s had the 30 splines, and mid & earlier 1984 700s had the 27 that the 200-4R has. Off the top of my head.
From what all you're describing you should be able to swap tailhousings, yes.
:lala:
Now the fun part begins!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Update:
Got the original tranny out and swapped the linkages and removed the tailshaft extention housing... I noticed that the VSS gear on the old/new tailshafts were different colors. I gently removed the gray-green looking one from the replacement tranny and compared to the bright red one on my original tranny... sure enough the 'threads' were shaped at different angles. When I put the red one on the replacement tranny it went on pretty easliy. When I looked at it a moment later I noticed it was cracked
I can only assume that it had cracked during removal. Apparently a local dealer has one in stock for $5 bux, so I will go pick that up tomorrow.
A few more connections and those two bastard top bolts left and I should be in business.
For anyone contemplating a similar swap, I would recommend a full set of tools (including metric
) I seem to have what I need, but would have been up a creek 1/2 way into this finding out that I was missing something.
I'll update again when this is done and on the road running!
Got the original tranny out and swapped the linkages and removed the tailshaft extention housing... I noticed that the VSS gear on the old/new tailshafts were different colors. I gently removed the gray-green looking one from the replacement tranny and compared to the bright red one on my original tranny... sure enough the 'threads' were shaped at different angles. When I put the red one on the replacement tranny it went on pretty easliy. When I looked at it a moment later I noticed it was cracked
I can only assume that it had cracked during removal. Apparently a local dealer has one in stock for $5 bux, so I will go pick that up tomorrow.A few more connections and those two bastard top bolts left and I should be in business.
For anyone contemplating a similar swap, I would recommend a full set of tools (including metric
) I seem to have what I need, but would have been up a creek 1/2 way into this finding out that I was missing something.I'll update again when this is done and on the road running!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 788
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Working this again for a bit last night, and I have a couple of suggestions and a question...
1st the question: When I pulled the tranny pan from the replacement trans, there were 3 magnets in the bottom (loose - not attached to the pan in any way) and what looked like 2 rubber 'cones'. It appears clear that someone was inside this tranny before, but I couldn't find where these 'cones' should go. I compared it with the trans I removed and could not find anything similar there. Is it possible these fell into the trans and a prior mechanic was just to lazy to get them out (ie. they aren't improtant) or do I need to investigate further?
2nd is a suggestion. Make sure to put both your shifter and the corresponding lever on the trans in neutral when reconnecting. I just had to pop $56 for a new shifter cable.
1st the question: When I pulled the tranny pan from the replacement trans, there were 3 magnets in the bottom (loose - not attached to the pan in any way) and what looked like 2 rubber 'cones'. It appears clear that someone was inside this tranny before, but I couldn't find where these 'cones' should go. I compared it with the trans I removed and could not find anything similar there. Is it possible these fell into the trans and a prior mechanic was just to lazy to get them out (ie. they aren't improtant) or do I need to investigate further?
2nd is a suggestion. Make sure to put both your shifter and the corresponding lever on the trans in neutral when reconnecting. I just had to pop $56 for a new shifter cable.
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Thread Starter
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Originally posted by 91-RED-WS6
When I pulled the tranny pan from the replacement trans, there were 3 magnets in the bottom (loose - not attached to the pan in any way) and what looked like 2 rubber 'cones'. It appears clear that someone was inside this tranny before, but I couldn't find where these 'cones' should go. I compared it with the trans I removed and could not find anything similar there. Is it possible these fell into the trans and a prior mechanic was just to lazy to get them out (ie. they aren't improtant) or do I need to investigate further?
When I pulled the tranny pan from the replacement trans, there were 3 magnets in the bottom (loose - not attached to the pan in any way) and what looked like 2 rubber 'cones'. It appears clear that someone was inside this tranny before, but I couldn't find where these 'cones' should go. I compared it with the trans I removed and could not find anything similar there. Is it possible these fell into the trans and a prior mechanic was just to lazy to get them out (ie. they aren't improtant) or do I need to investigate further?
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The cones are probably the two filters that go in the valve body.. I have no Idea why they would be in the pan. If they look mesh like they are the filters.
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From: San Antonio, TX
Car: '99 HO Z28 / '03 Trailblazer
Originally posted by novass
The cones are probably the two filters that go in the valve body.. I have no Idea why they would be in the pan. If they look mesh like they are the filters.
The cones are probably the two filters that go in the valve body.. I have no Idea why they would be in the pan. If they look mesh like they are the filters.
Not sure how this will display but like this
_
| |_____
|.............\
|..............|
|...______/
|_|
???
Last edited by DURTYBIRD; May 15, 2003 at 06:22 PM.
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