glarior

Any secrets to gaining access/removing the top two bolts on the TH350 trans with out taking out the engine? A special tool? a custom tool? 80' vette with a 350.

Also, an ideas how to remove a stripped bolt head on the drive shafts ujoints? The bolt on the drive shaft by the rear end is stripped... have no idea how to get it off because there is no room for a tool....

gerry72

If you remove the trans crossmember and let the engine/trans tilt down, you should be able to reach the top bolts with some extensions and a u-joint. As for removing the bolt with a rounded head, just get some of those sockets designed to do this. Craftsman, as well as other manufacturers, has a set. This is one of those easier said than done jobs, though. You have to get to the bolts by passing the socket on a long extension through the driveshaft tunnel.

chevymans 77

most of the time you can pull the dist and gain access

L88Plus

There's really no way around it, these bolts require sacrifices of blood and flesh before they'll yield.
At least they're not all studs with crush nuts like GM went to in the 90's!

mysixtynine

For the ujoint strap you can try a medium sized vice grip first if it will fit in there.

Otherwise you need a dremmel with metal cutting disc's and lots a patience. Cut the exposed round strap end first then push whats left toward the pinion flange and cut the rest of the round strap flush with the nut.

straub18045

easy gaining access form to side

glarior

I will try that and see how it works. For the craftsman set I have one but it does not go small enough to fit the 1/4 size bolt... bleh. Wait, positive side is I can go look/buy more tools

...Roger...

I think the extension I use on the bell bolts and the driveshaft bolts is about 24" long,I use the same extension when RRing the 2 bolts holding the fuel pump.

The Money Pit

I just pull the distributor out of the block to gain access to the top tranny bolts. Chances of bending or doing any damage to it later are eliminated when you tip the trans back for the removal. You can jack the trans up a bit for even more top bolt clearance if you need it.

The pinion bolt thing,.....If you rotate the rear wheels you may find one magic spot where you can actually see the bolt. Getting it out,........Best of luck. Might want to head out to Sears or someplace that sells tools and get an extraction socket and extension so you can try the tunnel approach.

7T1vette

There is no substitute for drenching 'dry' bolts/nuts in PB Blaster for a day or two before trying to remove them....

mysixtynine

I don't think there's enough room between the pinion yoke dust flange and the nuts of the straps to get a "Easy-out type" socket and ratchet head in there. I seem to recall that a box wrench just makes it in there with some room to spare.

I still think your gonna have to cut the strap, use a vice grip or split the nut.

Tom1701

From The Money Pit
"I just pull the distributor out of the block to gain access to the top tranny bolts. Chances of bending or doing any damage to it later are eliminated when you tip the trans back for the removal. You can jack the trans up a bit for even more top bolt clearance if you need it."

I agree with Money Pit plus on those top two bolts I use some heat from a propane torch on the cast iron where they screw into the block. It don't take much heat and I've got'em out on mine and friends of mine doing this

Tom1701

glarior

Thanks for the info! Those top two bolts I just cant get my hand in there to get leverage. From what everyone has said I will be able to unbolt it now.

The ujoint bolt... It will be a PITA but I will get it. There is just no room to get anything in there. I will try a bolt extracter kit if I can find one today and go from there. Thank goodness I bought all those extensions!

...Roger...

If you unbolt the rear end you can remove it and the driveshaft together and get that pesky bolt out. Probably didn't need to hear that !!!

djcwardog

I agree - in fact I had one of those top bolts work loose in a previous car. Put a fender apron on it and go for it.

zigvs

OK a bubba trick for the rear u joint strap.Spray it up good with lube and take an old socket one size smaller,maybe even a metric and with an extention.hammer it on.then try with ratchet.good luck

CFD E59

I agree with Money Pit

glarior

Got the transmission out! Very glad money pitt mentioned to remove the distributor or I would have crushed it! Now, I can try to extract that stripped bolt and replace it.

How bad is it to let the engine hang like that for a few days?

Tom1701

Get a piece of 2x4 or what ever you got and some folded old towels. Put it on the top of a jack and jack it up a bit on the oil pan to act as support.

Tom1701