FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

I have just started disconnecting everything to get the trans out to fix the leak from the convertor area.
Had to stop to attend to other matters (kids ::) ).
The question is can I get the trans out without removing the motor from the car? Getting to the bellhousing bolts looks a little dicey. Has anyone done it before? or am I kidding myself and should batten down for the long haul?

The method i use on other vehicles is to remove the engine mounts and let the motor drop down forward allowing you to get to the top bellhousing bolts, on some vehicles dropping the trans down gives the same access.

What FCOV6 Said,  however if your floor doesn't have an access panel you may not be able to move the transmission back far enough to clear everything on the back of the motor and drop it down.  Place a jack under the motor with a block of wood between the jack and the sump to spread the load of the motor.  The block of wood must be wider than the sump.
          Place a trolley jack under the transmission, this will allow you to move the transmission easily on wheels and you will just have to check clearances and lift and lower both as you go.
         Having everthing supported you can easily put it back and put a couple of bolts in should you find you don't have enough room.

                                                Hope this helps
                                                          Frank

I had a UC Torana years ago with 253 and Traumatic and needed to replace the transmission with one that was less of a traumatic experience to drive than the buggered one I had in it.All the info I could find at the time said you had to remove engine and trans in V8 to UC Torana conversion as a unit because you couldn't get to all the trans bolts to separate the engine from trans.

However I was able to pull the trans out separate to engine  by following the same procedure the other blokes have said above,that is, undoing engine mounts and dropping the sump onto the crossmember and then dropping down the trans as far as I could and then using multiple 1/2 inch drive socket extensions and universal joints I was able to relatively easily able to undo the top bellhousing bolts and drop the trans out.

Not sure how easy the same/similar procedure would be with trimatic in FE/FC but I'd have a go at it that way and see how it goes.

Thanks guys but it's no good, many cuts, scratches and bruising later I have decided to drop the front-end and get it that way. Luckily I am changing the steering gear and front brake setup so it's not really that much more work.

I took the trimatic out of my FE last year and replaced it by dropping the trans mount only and letting the engine come down onto the steering.
I used 2 long extensions and a universal as FB MAD used and the bolts came out easily.
I guess it depends on what floor you have.  Mine is an EK Hydro floor and seems to have plenty of room.

Ken

Have always done it the way Ken described and have never had any problems, I have found it easier to get at the top bolts with a 5/8 with a slight bend in it(ring one end open ender the other), after doing a VT lately give me an early holden any day.
                 Pedro

Thanks guys, she's finally out and at the trans shop now.