Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

[vroomzoomboom]

count me in.....in sprite that is
if i wasnt off work for so long, that and si is headed over here next week, i would be there like stink on diff additive

 

[gmanpaint]

Manifold bolts off clean = Sweet!

Don't hurt yourself going after those trans bolts. We can get at em when we arrive.

Just get the easy stuff that's left.

 

[Turdle]

OK, I got the torque converter nuts off, separated the wiring harness from the block and got the 2 bolts holding engine to motor mount plate on passenger side. The transmission inspection plate was all icky so I just gotta sandblast it and make it shiny black.



I have been using zip lock baggies and a permanent marker to separate and label all hardware.

 

[MrQ]

So labor day weekend is the plan for the swap? Need a hand?

 

[Turdle]

All exhaust manifold bolts and oil dip stick came out clean!

Now to take on the torque converter nuts if I can, and trans bolts. I am trying to get this to where it will be quick pull out once help arrives.

Here is the list of those who will possibly attend as I remember it.


[MENTION=87244]gmanpaint[/MENTION] ( thanks for being the organizer guy )
[MENTION=50756]Twiztid[/MENTION]
[MENTION=53464]dkchrist[/MENTION]
[MENTION=52174]Elessar65[/MENTION]

I need a good head count so I can be sure to have enough steaks--burgers--tofu or what you prefer on the grill.

I'm going to try to have my wife make a chocolate lasagna for desert. Oh, and we need a fire!

PS [MENTION=35357]traveler[/MENTION] Heads up. Maybe you and Sandi could come ?

[MENTION=91266]MrQ[/MENTION]

 

[Turdle]

 

[TekMan05]

Which days you had planned? If I can get my TPS issues fixed and work off I'll try my best to swing down and lend some wrenching help. I'll let you know by the end of next week though for sure if I'll even have the days off or not.

 

[Turdle]

Which days you had planned? If I can get my TPS issues fixed and work off I'll try my best to swing down and lend some wrenching help. I'll let you know by the end of next week though for sure if I'll even have the days off or not.

Wow! this is getting big! I didn't expect this much help to be offered. You guys are awesome!.

Now I'm worried about sleep arrangements, we might have to pitch some tents or rent a motel room.
A tent in the back yard is a bad idea though, my dog pees on things left laying around.

 

[gmanpaint]

Recliner works for me, to sleep on.

 

[TekMan05]

Depending on if I even make it. I may only stay the day or if I am able to stay I have no problem folding my back seat down and camping in The Golden Beast as long as it has cooled down some.

 

[Turdle]

ok, we have a blow up mattress, a room with twin bed and a room with king size bed, a couch, and, a recliner.


Enough about sleep.



Ok, guys last time I swapped a v8 into one of these things was 10 years ago.

It was in my 98

Somewhere in torquemonster headers discussion ,Robert, the maker of the headers said he had discovered that 99-up had moved the engine back about 1/2" from 98 down. I now see this is true, as the transmission bolts will not back out without running into the firewall first. I know, ok I don't know, but I am pretty sure, there was more room in the 98 than this.

Oh, what to do what to do? Think I should drain the transmission so it can be pulled with the engine? ( transfer case would have to come off)

 

[Scott B.]

Can't you lift the engine slightly, and move it forward as you loosen the trans bolts?

And/or, support the engine on a hoist, remove the engine mounts, then swing the engine forward.

 

[ahodges]

I remember the bolts being tight on my 96 too. I'm pretty sure I could back the bolts out all the way out of the threads but had to leave 1 or 2 in the hole just sitting there until I got the engine out.

 

[Rick]

Oh, what to do what to do? Think I should drain the transmission so it can be pulled with the engine? ( transfer case would have to come off)

[MENTION=97]Kris Guilbeaux[/MENTION] may have he answer for you.

 

[Turdle]

Can't you lift the engine slightly, and move it forward as you loosen the trans bolts?

And/or, support the engine on a hoist, remove the engine mounts, then swing the engine forward.

Yeah,I think I could get the hoist on it to do that but not by myself, as the trans will need supporting, manipulating. Once the engine is away the front of transmission will come down unless it is supported. Someone will need to work the jack from underneath.

I remember the bolts being tight on my 96 too. I'm pretty sure I could back the bolts out all the way out of the threads but had to leave 1 or 2 in the hole just sitting there until I got the engine out.

You might be right. I do not remember it being this tight, man I am sure I got the bolts all the way out on my 98 but again, as I said it was way back in 2004.

If everything could come down a bit it would help a ton. However the engine is sitting on mount plates which prevent that.

Maybe if the engine was lifted enough to get the plates out of the way,then lowered down. 1" would do it.

 

[Scott B.]

Yeah,I think I could get the hoist on it to do that but not by myself, as the trans will need supporting, manipulating. Once the engine is away the front of transmission will come down unless it is supported. Someone will need to work the jack from underneath.

When I was messing with mine, I had the trans on a floor jack with the handle going forward. I was able to adjust the hoist, then adjust the floor jack, then the hoist, etc.

Tricky, and no major movement each time. But, you might want to wait until you have help - no sense dropping anything!

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

When you pull the transfer case the fluid will come out of the tailhousing. I'm not sure you will have enough room to pull the trans with the motor out the top with out cutting out the core support it's best to drain and drop the trans then pull the motor if it's all coming out.

 

[ahodges]

2 ideas here Jon.

Do you think by letting the transmission down in the back that it will give you enough room to get the bolts out? Maybe just take the 6 bolts out that hold the cross member in and lower it enough to get the engine bolts out. Once you have them out, jack the transmission cross member back up and put the 2 horizontal alignment bolts back in to hold it in place while you do your engine work.

I did the engine my self by holding the transmission up on the engine end with a ratchet strap slug over the frame rails and under the bell housing of the transmission. That supported it pretty nice. With the transfer case on it is still going to want to roll towards the left side. I fixed that by putting a floor jack under the heavy side of the transfer case.

 

[Turdle]

When you pull the transfer case the fluid will come out of the tailhousing. I'm not sure you will have enough room to pull the trans with the motor out the top with out cutting out the core support it's best to drain and drop the trans then pull the motor if it's all coming out.

So, I do not "need" to pull the transmission with the engine?

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

No the trans can stay in place you need just disconnect the bell housing and torque converter