Swaping engine and trans from top ( first timer)

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

not really. ive changed my engine, the rad at a earlier time, never even flushed my core on its own, and my system is all green and brown booger free now. i had the nasty brown coolant and sludge inside it all too. id not worry to much.

**steelholder** · 03-20-2016

Originally Posted by markpa

Use a brass sweeper nozzle to get some force nothing the flush.

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cant a higher psi jeopardize the core? I feel it maybe be rated for whatever the water pumps psi is but if its a strong girl ill give all the water pressure i need. So sticking something inside wouldnt work? Has anyone done this?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

the rad part is low in the dash, the pipes lead up and to the firewall. no way your cleaning it out in the car. nothings like a sludge is getting blown back up and out.

**steelholder** · 03-20-2016

Ill just flush it as much as i can.

I have the trans and eng mated and ready to drop in as far as i can tell. I just forgot about the tc bolts, there are two potential slots that they can go in i forgot to take a pic before removing can anyone give an idea on how to get those golts back in?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

the last used hole should show where a bolt was, pop one in, turn the engine over to the next hole see if it lines up, if it dont you take the first one back out and use the other hole.

**BillBoost37** · 03-20-2016

dont put the bolt in completely. Put the first two in snug, then back them off 1 turn. That way the flex to tc will have play to allow you to put them all in. Then tighten all three once they are in.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

Bill, remember the day you called during my install. i started working on the car and asked you "whats this sound" and you knew it was a screw driver turning the flex.....well i went and cranked the first bolt down, and had to back up the flex to loosen it, then spin the rest of the way.

**ItHurtz** · 03-20-2016

oh boy love stories

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

ha ha

**steelholder** · 03-20-2016

Dropped the new combo in. Gettin the passenger side motor mount and trans side seated perfectly took a few tries. Once evrything lined up it fell in perfectly. Once it was in i forgot i hadnt installed the heat shields on the exhaust manifolds, forgot to attach starter and realized the down pipe bolts were resting on top of the muffle part where it attaches. Hopefully wiggling the exhaust will give some freedom to get that downpipe aligned. Turning the key is getting close.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

happy for ya, as much as this job sucks, its better then a 1000 bucks spent.

**steelholder** · 03-20-2016

Its been frustrating at times but most of it has been great really learning a lot and its extremely rewarding just knowing im doing it and of course saving the money. So far parts aside ive only spent about 180 on labor related items just the hoist and some tools.

this process would not be doable without the help of you guys im very thankful for all of your insight and patience

**Scottydoggs** · 03-20-2016

no problem, anything to help keep people out of a shop, at least when they decide to do it and stick it out like you did.

the rest should be a breeze to finish up now..

**brettstoner** · 03-21-2016

Any of you guys know the thread size and pitch of the trans to engine bolts? I am going to pull my motor next month and want to throw it on the stand while I top swap and cam it.
Thanks.

**steelholder** · 03-21-2016

Im sure someone knows here but a quick call to a gm dealership will probably get you a quick answer.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-21-2016

i bought them and have no clue wtf they were. i know they are metric.

**steelholder** · 03-21-2016

This is the pipe that connects to exhaust manifold. I freed it up to make room where the manifold and pipe meet, (was having a lot out of trouble with those lining up while dropping combo). Now it seems to be a bigger pain to line these bolts up, something doesn't seem right, they should be easily matching right?

**CrazyGuy03** · 03-21-2016

Yah i took one up to the hardware store

**CrazyGuy03** · 03-21-2016

I used a jack stand and a jack to align everything.
I also used new bolts washers nuts

**steelholder** · 03-21-2016

Please elaborate a bit, how would you use the jack? The bolts dont align with the holes in the downpipe.

Edit i put the Jack right under both pipes where they meet and started cranking after a certain height the bolts just popped into place, i guess they have to be held very high up almost touching the bottom of car for them to line up.