need help TH350 in 73 Blazer

[wedgemon]

Trying to swap trannys. How in the heck do you remove the upper two bolts on the trans to engine housing??

No room or angle from above. And drivers side is accessable with about 30 inches of extensions on the ratchet. But not enough swing to make it work. I even tried an air impact. It won't turn!!

AND, I can't even see the passenger side bolt.

I'd appreciate any ideas you guys may have.

I thought I'd be in and out in an easy afternoon. Apparently "the the effort to repair any vehicle is inversely proportional to the age of said vehicle."

Therefore, A 35 year old vehicle, Using the formula:
R=V(Ea)+A Wherein "R" = Repair = Vehicle AgeX((EffortxAge of mechanic in years)+Accessories)

1973 Blazer 35 years old x effort X 50 year old fart mechanic. 4wd+8 Bolt crossmember+2nd 4 Bolt cossmember.

This means I should been doing this in 1973, 74 latest for max results!

Pray for me dudes!

- Dave

[tvblazer78]

Take trans cross member out and let the tail down about 6" and you get to them alot better. I have taken mine out 5-6 times now I am getting good at this now, but I don't think that is a good thing.

Hope this helps..
Trav

[wedgemon]

Isn't it something how these trucks can delay our repair progress, sometimes for days or weeks, by throwing us a seemingly impossible curve - as with the aforementioned 2 tranny bolts. But, if we take the time, have a drink, a little sleep and some logical thinking. The truck will show you the answer.

I made a small list of things to remove, including the T case shifter and, lo, it hit me!! Remove the trans tunnel hump. I'd forgotten the Blazer even had one. Pulled that puppy off and the last two bolts were Like Buttah!!

But, now it looks like I should remove the trans and T Case separately. Just for ease of balance.

I DO love these trucks!!

- Dave

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by wedgemon

Isn't it something how these trucks can delay our repair progress, sometimes for days or weeks, by throwing us a seemingly impossible curve - as with the aforementioned 2 tranny bolts. But, if we take the time, have a drink, a little sleep and some logical thinking. The truck will show you the answer.

I made a small list of things to remove, including the T case shifter and, lo, it hit me!! Remove the trans tunnel hump. I'd forgotten the Blazer even had one. Pulled that puppy off and the last two bolts were Like Buttah!!

But, now it looks like I should remove the trans and T Case separately. Just for ease of balance.

I DO love these trucks!!

- Dave

Happy that you got it.. keep us in the loop..

[wedgemon]

ALL the manuals say installation is the reverse of removal. Well, gravity only works D O W N, not U P !!! Got the trans in, but, am struggling to get the transfer case up and aligned.

And, if anyone says USE THE FORCE, DAVE!! I'll hypothetically smack ya!!

Besides. I haven't kept up with my FORCE payments.

To be continued...

- Dave

[72 CustomCamper]

Been there done that, those 203's are heavy sob's...


Chuck

[wedgemon]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

Been there done that, those 203's are heavy sob's... Chuck

You got that right! I thought my 205 was a bear, until I tried this.

I'll manage somehow, though. My cheap Harbor Freight tranny jack just can't handle the odd balance of the 203. I'm thinking second crossmember and a floor jack under each side. With an assist thru the hump-hole with a come-a-long to the roll bar - just for safety.

We'll see. Probably be Friday before I get back to it. I was hoping to do some convertable cruising over memorial weekend.

- Dave

[72 CustomCamper]

We made a platform out of 2x6's to use on a floor jack. Still took 2 of us to pick the T-case up and put in the jack...

Chuck

[wedgemon]

GOT THE BUGGER IN!!! Had to remove the exhaust system and modify (SAWZALL) the trans lift. And til the rig up on one side to get the thing under. But, she's bolted in!! Now. I have a full day just putting the rest back together.

- Dave

[Damien]

Don't feel too bad. I replaced the tranny in my 74 and now it leaks really bad. I think I have a bad converter. The engine is coming out to fix that!

[wedgemon]

U P D A T E !!!

Just drove it!! Othet than the selector being off a bit. Runs GOOD! No leaks or slippage. Now to put it all back together and clean it all up.

- Dave

[mtndewmaniac66]

I could only sit back and laugh for I am currently buttoning up a swap from a small block to a big block in my '84 burb. Funny how we can perform the exact same tasks everytime, yet there is always something that delays progress, like the tranny bolts, or the difference in power steering pumps and lines between smallblock and bigblock, or the regular schedules of softball or the kids birthdays. (my big time diversion for this week). Anyways, glad that you got yours done! It is an awesome feeling to hear the bowtie's heartbeat after the work put into it!