well it's the first nice weekend up here in ohio, so I started my oil pan project. I decided to go the route of removing the engine because it gives me the opportunity to do the rear main too if needed. While the engine's out I might also pull out the emissions stuff and put it in the trash, haven't decided for sure though.

Just called it quits for day 1, it's getting dark/cold and my buddy had to go home. So far the engine is ready to be lifted out with the exception of the passenger side bell housing to engine block bolts and the motor mounts. I am stymied right now because the lower bolt is behind the transmission filler tube and I haven't even tried the upper yet. The driver's side was also a pain to get to, I had to make creative use of extensions and a wobble joint

Anyone have any snazzy advice for me at this stage? Ideally (I know it probably won't happen) I'd like to have the truck buttoned back up ready for work monday, so when I hit it tomorrow I need to get those bolts out and quick so I can move on to the actual repair

 

Make sure all wires and grounds disconnected, also might be easier to remove upper intake if you havent already, the hidden bolts usually get to with an 11\16 wrench.

 

wiring harness is disconnected with the exception of the knock sensor which I haven't decided how to do yet, upper intake manifold is off, I used a 5/8 socket on the other ones, you think an 11/16 would work better?

 

My mistake, 5\8 wrench. Starter out? Pos wire off battery?

 

starter out, battery removed. I don't see why the manual instructs that the starter be removed tbh as the starter sticks out toward the front of the truck and the heads of the bolts I need point to the rear

 

you think it would be easier to get those bolts with a wrench as opposed to a socket with a pile of extensions and wobble joints?

 

I have a 2 foot extension just for removing transmission bellhousing bolts, but often extend it more. Wrap electrical tape around the swivel so it isn't so floppy.

 

dumb question incoming... what is the swivel? the problem on this particular bolt is that the tranny filler tube is almost directly in front of it with only a few inches of clearance between, not enough for my deep socket to fit

 

The starter needs to be removed due to the engine plate is behind the flexplate and the starter is bolted to the trans, the starter would cause the trans to hang up, and the extensions will work, but sometimes a wrench works well too.

 

let me see if I'm understanding correctly, I'm new to these terms concerning the transmission... I thought the flexplate was the part between the crankshaft and the torque converter which is engaged by the starter, I didn't have any trouble removing the plate to get at the flexplate bolts before I removed the starter