First, I did do a search.
Second, the instructional by DNHunt is nice. Gonna really help me when I finally get to what needs to be done, which is...
Third, remove my current & tired tranny and install a true, rebuilt unit (from my last teener).

Can I remove my old tranny without having to drop the engine? If not, how far does the engine need to drop? For example, just lower it down a couple inches and thus leave all the FI and stuff attached (I don't know, I'm asking)? Help here would be appreciated. Yes, I've dropped my engine before but it's a PITA, removing and installing, and I really don't want to do it if at all possible.

I will be replacing my end cover since the one on my rebuilt tranny has broken ears. Any "gotchas"/suggestions? I did learn that if you rest the tranny vertically so the bell housing is resting on your work bench, oil will drain out the top breather... guess I'll need to drain the oil inside before replacing stuff, right?

Easy. Support engine from below, remove exhaust, then tranny.

No you do not have to drop engine. Renove air box if it is a clearance problem.

Put jack under trans and unbolt lower trans mounts and lower until it is clear to remove. Than

take note how much you will have to block up engine at rear. Jack up engine/trans and

place blocks in front of trans at rear of block to support engine. When you replace

tail cover, replace the gasket. Iam sure you can take it from here. Have fun.

there is a little 'nub' on the sump of the case that works great on a jack or a jackstand....

to me, its easier to drop the whole assebly then just the trans... but we have done it both ways.

AA

If ya drop the tranny alone..

Thats easy..

Stuffing the tranny back in by yourself... is a bit harder...

I am old and weak.

So Aaron does the lifting and the setting in of the tranny... (on his car)

Cause he is like 6' 2" and 250 LBS..

He makes it NO PROBLEM...

Seriously... The only problem I had helping Aaron stuff his tranny in his car was getting it lined up at the proper heighth.

We did this twice in one afternoon. With two differant trany's.

Aaron makes it look so easy and fast.

Cause he is strong.

Thats when muscle was better than finesse.

Two guys can just stab it in fast.

So my opinion is... Don't do it alone.

Therefore.. get some help if you are a newby at this....

Thats my experiance.. Yours may be differant.

Twystd1

NOTE: And try to find a friend like Aaron... it makes life really easy.

I've done this, it was easy lowering the tranny with a floor jack. One person job.


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Dropping the tranny by itself is no real problem. Getting that ####### thing back in place can ruin friendships and cause no end of misery. And don't you DARE ask how I know. BTDT WDIA!!!!!!!!!!!

What Davep said....

Twystd1

i prefer to pump iron, but magnesium was ok

lol... i hate the bolts that are a biatch to get too..... thats where you let twystd1 do his thing. a lesson in patience.... i woulda ...nvm

Hate to highjack.... but I'm going to... shameless me

Is the engine and tranny as hard to line up/connect together when they're out of the car? Or is it easier?

just look for that sum'bitch top bolt and nut that are on the starter. you have to work it from both ends. [the bolt has a nut and one side is accessed from the engine compartment and the other from the undernieth tranny side.]
i did it but needed my 6'8" friend [ 'cause the car was 3' up on jack stands] to reach in and hold the bolt still while i screwed on the nut.

getting the input shaft in place can be a pita... cuz you have to have the tranny dead nuts aligned....

oh. GREASE your input shaft spines

Putting together a trany and engine on the floor is a cake walk..

One man operation.. And you can do it SSoooo easy if it's on the ground.

Twystd1

In the car:

On the ground:

werd!

Little piece of advise. If you are dropping the trans to change your clutch, make

sure you use a alignment tool to line up the clutch plate. if it is off just a little bit,

the output shaft will not slide in (I just got strangly aroused) all the way and

and you may end up saying thing to your car it will never forget.