| Transmission Swap: Remanufactured Transmission |
| A 1985 Chevy El Camino gets cured of the hesitation blues with a remanufactured transmission. |
From "Weekend Mechanic"
episode WKM-406 |
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The transmission--supported from underneath by the transmission jackstand and held secure by the chain--is lowered carefully from the vehicle.
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Removing the Transmission- To have access to the transmission on this vehicle, some of the exhaust system will need to be removed. With the vehicle securely on a lift (or jacked up and supported by jack stands), begin by loosening and removing the clamps and flange bolts and pulling the pipes and mufflers out.
- Loosen and remove the universal joint bolts.
Weekend Mechanic DIY FYI: The universal joint is a mechanical swivel joint that connects the driveshaft to the drive-train components.- With the U-joint bolts out, disconnect the drive shaft.
- Weekend Mechanic Expert Tip: Before removing the drive shaft from the vehicle, tape around the universal joint caps so they don't fall out and spill the roller bearings.
- This particular car has a safety strap that prevents the drive shaft from falling down. This strap needs to be loosened in order to remove the driveshaft.
- With the safety strap removed, carefully pull the driveshaft out.
Next, remove the vacuum modulator hose and disconnect the shift linkage. Loosen and remove the shift linkage lever bracket nut (figure B) and disconnect the bracket. Weekend Mechanic DIY FYI: The shift linkage attaches to the manual lever of the valve body which allows the transmission to shift.
- Next, disconnect the torque converter clutch. (The torque converter connects the engine to the automatic transmission, much like a clutch does to a manual transmission.) Using a hex bit driver, remove the torque converter cover bolts and the cover comes off. Next, remove the flywheel-to-torque converter bolts. Then use the pry bar to rotate the crankshaft--one tooth at a time--until the next bolt comes around (figures C and D). Use the pry-bar to hold the flywheel in position as you remove the bolt. Do the same for the third flywheel bolt.
With the transmission jack in position under the pan, raise it up to take the weight of the transmission (figures E and F).
Secure the safety chain around the transmission (figure G). The jack plate arms are tightened down to secure the transmission on the jack (figure H).Using a wrench to hold the nut from above, loosen the cross member bolt and the bolt and nut come out. Do the same with the second bolt and the cross member can be removed. With the transmission lowered slightly, loosen and remove the transmission cooler lines. (The transmission cooler is a heat exchanger located either within the radiator or as a separate unit in front of the radiator or A/C condenser.)Also pull the throttle-valve (TV) cable through, that we disconnected earlier from the carburetor linkage. Next is to loosen and remove the bell housing bolts using a universal socket wrench with an extension.
With the bolts removed, maneuver the transmission to break the seal and free it from the bell housing. Lower the transmission and move it back gradually, clearing any obstacles (figures I and J). Take your time and adjust the transmission as necessary to get it out past the exhaust headers.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Transmission Swap: Remanufactured Transmission |
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