SMS

Going to be doing a converter swap and am ready to drop the trans and pull the stock converter. Trouble is the trans will NOT let go of those dowels. I have all 8 bolts on the bench so there is no question that I missed a bolt. I have soaked the dowels on both sides with PB Blaster, let it sit for awhile, tapped on the bell housing to aid the penetration of the oil, but still no way will it come loose.
I tried driving a big screw driver in between the block and trans, but only seem to be digging into the aluminum and not separating the pieces. I have the starter off and the plastic inspection cover on the other side off, so I have a place to pry, but am afraid of cracking or breaking the bell housing if I get too aggressive.
Has letting the PB sit for a few days helped anyone? I also tried shoving the trans side to side with my feet on the tail hosing to get the most leverage, but most of the force is absorbed by the motor mounts. So, I came here to ask, What have you guys done to get the trans free in cases like this? Thanks.

heymoej

iTrader: (67)

ratchet strap..........from the rear end to the tail housing of the trans.

SMOKY

iTrader: (4)

i used a butane torch on the dowels on a couple different ones. It usually does the trick

CayenneRedV6

iTrader: (8)

crow bar

LS1Silverado05

iTrader: (41)

Its been my experience that if you thoroughly soak them with some PB Blaster or equivalent and then try to use a rod of some kind to strike the dowels from the rear of the car, it will sometimes help to shock them loose.... (Im saying to actually get something IN the hole where the dowel goes to actually strike the dowel itself, NOT the bell housing)

I have also been part of the ratchet strap scenario but I am not a big fan of that one!

spanky_55amg

these two guns, biting my lip, hanging my tounge and a can of elbow grease...

LS1Silverado05

iTrader: (41)

Some dont come off that easy....

SMS

I figured that one out, I just don't want to crack the bell housing prying on it. There's really no good place near the dowels to pry anyway, and there needs to be a gap to put the pry bar in. I think I'll try the propane torch on it tomorrow.

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

Torch works perfect.Don't know if the propane will get hot enough.I ussually use the map gas torch and the tranny falls off.

LS1Silverado05

iTrader: (41)

This sounds like the best route

SMS

Got it! Picked up a MAPP torch at Lowes and put the heat to her. Still took a lot of pounding and prying to get it loose. What a job! Thanks for the tips.

scatillac

iTrader: (12)

Next time, once you get it warmed up, take a small birthday-cake candle, stick it into the dowel hole and let it melt a bit.

This also works well on cast iron (oil journal plugs, block drains, etc.).

MadIceV8

iTrader: (12)

Ugh I hated those dowels! My car only has 28k and it was still a pain to get the transmission off.

capt.ld

iTrader: (7)

i used a ratchet strap over the tail shaft and rearend thightend the strap and pryed the trans right out,took me 3 days to figure that one out lol.what a bitch and a case of beer but i got it

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

Prybar and persistence worked for me. Still took 2 hrs to get it off the engine though.