CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

Ive watched a few videos and read a few sites on the process and of course all with different time lines and issues during the process..

Just looking for some first hand experience from others that have done this.. how long it took, can it be done alone and/or with help in a weekend? a day? few days?

I do have all the tools needs, just don't have a garage to do it in, so would be out in the driveway.

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

No one has done this before? no suggestions / feedback on the process..

Modchevelle

iTrader: (9)

You can do it in a day on your back. You might need a helper to hold things for you and get tools under the car for you. Just take your time and as you take the bolts out put them in individual paper cups or containers so you will know where they go.

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

So def something that can be done in a full day in the driveway with the car jacked real high..

what about the rear main seal? I was reading somewhere, not sure if I bookmarked it, but mentioned needing a special tool? is that really needed?

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

You can def do all the work by yourself. Heck i dropped my transmission a couple times by myself and put everything back in a day. As long as you have the car lifted as high as possibly with additions of safety support in case jack stands fail, you shouldn't have trouble knocking everything down in 4 hours or less without interruptions and having your tools at arms reach.

No special tool required to remove flexplate. Easy to remove all bolts as long as you lock up the front crank shaft pulley so the flex plate wont try to rotate as your loosening the bolts.

Are you replacing the rear main crank seal? or doing a combo with rear main cover? I would do both since your in their already. easy to do both.

Also since you have the tranny down, check the oil pressure sensor located behind the intake manifold to see if its leaking as those tend to leak from time to time. Having the transmission off gives you better access in case it needs to be swapped as it is hard to do some from atop.

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

Yea I keep reading to do the rear main seal while Im there, but looking online I found 2 setups, one just the seal and one kit with the cover also.. not a big price difference, so I would probably do the cover also..
Ill price the sensor and replace while im there if not outrageous.

I found some postings stating to drop the exhaust and some say not to, I guess that's preference..

As for jacking up the car, I was going to use my truck jack stands to carry the weight and then some 2x4 supports to go under the actual tires..

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

I found it much easier to move around under the car with the down pipes and y pipe removed as it gave me more room to move under the car comfortably. It doesn't take too much of your time to remove a few bolts and get that out of the way. I also removed my drive shaft and anything that went from the trans to the rear so i could slide in and out in any angle with the creeper. If you don't have a trans jack just make a square cut out of a wood sheet and that way you could place it between the jack and the trans oil pan. Lets you manuever the trans much more easier and safer than without.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Lots of extensions, god I hate dropping the auto trans. The one thing I dread doing to my car. With worn stock motor mounts it makes the job easy, with polys I had to lower the k member some to get to the bolts.

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

That is one thing for sure, you want alot of extensions specially to reach the top bolt. once you have all the bolts around the transmission loosened, dropped the transmission a bit until you are able to see the very top bolt when laying on the tail end of the transmission. Once you see the top bolt add as many extension as you need to reach the top bolt while laying on the tail end of the transmission and walla. Oh also as you lower the trans remember to slide off the trans oil dip stick that way it won't get pulled and damaged as you drop the trans. you could also remove the oil dip stick bolt which is located behind the block to avoid any damage to the tube or else you will be looking for a new replacement tube lol.

01ssreda4 damn, you didn't get any play with the polys huh. Extra work to do as the polys didn't let the motor hang to get to the top tranny bolt.

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

thanks everyone, I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. Need to make sure that I have all the right sizes and such and wait til the weather warms up a bit to get it done.. plus order the parts to have ready..

Now, when it comes time to put back together, is there a good site or source to get the torque specs on everything?

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

Here you go,

go to the Transmission section and click on Torque Converter Install for LS1 Fbodies. You will find all the torque specs there.

http://bowlingss.com/ls1_how_to.htm


Easy to follow instructions with step by step picture illustration on removing your transmission and torque coverter

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

cool, thank you very much..

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

Welcome

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

anything else I should check while under there that would be easier to change now than later?

any other sensors? seals?

Actually something else I was going ask, when I called another shop today for quote on replacing the flex plate, they asked if it was 168 or 162 tooth?
Arent they 168? and would it make a difference if it was one or the other?

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

Something I was just thinking about also, I can post in a new thread if this is not the place for it.. But if im going to push back or drop the trans to do this swap.. would access to the exhaust manifolds and cats be easier? I ask because the cats needed to be changed a long time ago and we bought hi flow ones and have never installed because of the labor involved.. so just trying to see what I can do even if it takes a bit longer to install now and save myself the trouble later.

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

the 162 tooth flex plate is for i believe a 10" small size stall and the 168 tooth is for the 12" stall.

You should have the 12" stall in your TA but you could always wait to purchase until you remove your current flexplate.

Also why do you want to swap out your flexplate??????? If your just addressing the rear main seal leak you don't need to change the flexplate.

If you still have the stock exhaust manifolds, your dump pipes would be bolted up to the sides of the transmission which is easy access to as all 3 bolts on the flange come off from under the car. Since they are easy to take you can have someone take your down pipes to a muffler shop to swap out your cats meantime you remove your tranny or swap out the cats after you bolt up the transmission back up.

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

im changing the flex plate because that is where my ticking sound is coming from.. using my stethoscope the tick is really loud at the housing next to the starter. So replacing that and while im there replacing the rear seal and oil sensor.. just looking for other sensors or seals that may need replacing or should be replaced while I have everything removed.

If I have the cats replaced on just the pipes, isn't there a chance that the pipes wont line up when I go to reinstall? the entire exhaust except the muffler is stock pipes and cats.

SickZ28

iTrader: (8)

If i were you, i would drive my car over to the muffler shop and have them replace the muffler with the car present. Some cats can be either larger or smaller compare to the stock ones in which the tech will need to see which angle works best for clearance issues and reconnecting the O2's. Also they will be able to determine if they need to be change from position. Once you change headers everything is going to be shifted around for clearance.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

i had a ticking like a cracked flexplate on a 700r4 a few years ago
pulled it, had it magnafluxed…no cracks
eventually chased it to the torque converter. something had come loose.
came and went with rpm, especially at low rpm…stopped in gear.
find a good local TC shop, they'll cut em open and freshen em up for very reasonable
good luck rasslin that tranny in and out

CubanGT

iTrader: (3)

oh no doubt, just curious since someone else mentioned having it done while still working under the car..