davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Did some searching with no luck. Looking at a 97 OBW with the engine locked up - unable to turn to get at TC bolts. If I remove the radiator as always, take the harmonic balancer and other suff off the front of the engine. Will it pull forward enough that the TC shaft will come free of the tranny? Assuming that's the method then how screwed am I in getting the TC back in place? No worse than if it came out a few inches like it does sometimes or worse? Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 You want to pull the engine correct? The TC will sit in place on the tranny when you pull the engine. No need to touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 (edited) there's along shaft attached to the TC so no you can't remove the engine with it. but should be able to move it forward to unbolt it. once it's forward a few inches you might be able to reach all 4 bolts. i guess you pulled the plugs. there is always the 'lift the car, drop the engine & trans' method, but no one likes it. Edited February 12, 2009 by johnceggleston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 You missed the main point. The engine is locked up. I can't turn it to undo the Torque converter bolts so that the engine will seperate from the TC in the traditional method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 John, Sometimes I'm a little dense. I still don't see how moving it forward that I'd be able to get to the heads of the TC bolts. Haven't pulled any plugs. Debating what to offer for the car "as-is". If I can't get the engine removed I'll have to pass on the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 (edited) John, Sometimes I'm a little dense. I still don't see how moving it forward that I'd be able to get to the heads of the TC bolts. Haven't pulled any plugs. Debating what to offer for the car "as-is". If I can't get the engine removed I'll have to pass on the car. (EDIT: WRONG, deleted bad info) so if you can move the engine forward 6" you may be able to reach behind the engine to reach the clip holds the TC to the shaft. but i was looking at that clip on a tc out of the car, and i couldn't see how to doit. i have a better idea now since i've seen pics and write ups here. BUT you can with the right tools, drop the engine and trans as a unit while you lift the chassis, so it can be done. you have to lift the car front high enough to then slide the engine forward. the engine and what ever it's rolling on has to be lower than the most front cross member / bumper. or you can pull the heads with the engine in the car, this should free up the crank, maybe. in other words it can be done, but anotrher one would be easier. Edited February 12, 2009 by johnceggleston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Dave: You should be abel to pull the engine with the TQ. There is a shaft on the back of the TQ, but It comes off. Just pull the engine forward and then gently pry the pump shaft off and continue the job. Once you have the engine out you can pry the crap out of the flex plate and get the TQ unbolted. just replace the flex plate and you are ready. If worse comes to worse, I have a good tranny from an outback with only 140K on it here in richmond. Personally, with the work you are going to put into the car, I wouldn't give more than 500 for it. Good Luck Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 It's a 97 OBW White 130k? Decent shape, new tires. I was gonna go 500-600. I usually pay 200 to 1k depending on the car's body mostly. It's a nice car. But a fella has to be able to make a little money on it and still have his sanity. I've had severe troubles in the past sometimes reseating TC's that have pulled out a little while removing the engine. Never developed the knack of seating them - just persistance. And those had one or two steps that needed seated. I may have to pass or part this one if I get it. I have lots of 2.2 flexplate's but I'll have to think about if I have any 2.5's. I may have one on a 99 2.5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 If you aren't sure, I have a 2.5 flexplate. seating the TC isn't that bad. I get into the engine bay and wiggle it up and down while spinning it and eventually it seats. Just takes perserverance. Is PIA I'll admit, just stay calm and you will get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 dynamite....jk. Good luck. And the bolts to the torque converter, the heads of the bolt are toward the front of the car, they thread into the TQ. Need to access bolt head from front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 Hey - I'm even thinking about a new/used TC. I'm a one man show. I do an engine swap every week or so. Trying to figure out how to bend the flexplate to get at those bolts. Gonna take some serious leverage. Good news is that I don't care about the engine and know I'll ruin the flexplate. On a cherry picker, engine stand, rolling around on the floor...Gonna be hard to hold stationary with the leverage it's gonna take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 why not just pull the engine and trans together? then pull the engine out of the transmission - the TC will come with it. the TC is easily replaceable, just grab one from another vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 GG, Never done that on a Suby. That auto tranny looks long and heavy. Car would be on a 4 post lift. Handling the 'pitching' could be an issue with that heavy tranny. I'd like to do one so that I would know for the future. But my time and sanity is worth something - little perhaps - but something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 right on, it is different for sure. i've pulled both on multiple vehicles with 4EAT's. it's a tight squeeze and you should have good equipment and chains because it gets quite "vertical", but they do come out. seems like that would be the easiest way to do this. it's repeatable and straight forward. or at least, get the angle you need to pull the engine out of the transmission. even if you just hold/support the trans in place rigidly. you only need the angle great enough for the engine to clear the radiator top support, then pull as far as you need for the TC to come out of the trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 GG,Car would be on a 4 post lift. i'd consider dropping the engine and trans, lift the car. the lift will simplify it. disconnect everything like you were pulling from above, don't touch the bell housing bolts. remove exhaust and drive shaft and shift linkage. lower the car, unbolt rear trans mount and front cross member and lift car. it will require working on a creeper for the last bit, it will work. reinstall together or seperate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 [...]Haven't pulled any plugs.[...] Assuming the engine hasn't seized or otherwise self-destructed, there's certainly a possibilty that you're facing a hydrolock. It seems that before trying all kinds of alternative approaches, it might be prudent to pull the spark plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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