How to Remove a Transmission Without a Jack

Now that you've built a powerful race machine that you take to the drag strip every weekend in the summer, you need to learn some tricks of the trade in repairing and fixing a drag race car at the track. One of the most troublesome fixes in a sportsman class drag car is the transmission. When you're at the track, and you have to pull a transmission to change the converter or flex plate, you may have to pull it out without the help of a jack to take the weight of the transmission. Simply pull the transmission out of the passenger door.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4-by-4-by-18 inch wood blocks
• 2-by-4-by-18 inch wood studs
• 8-by-8-by-1/2 inch plywood
• ¼ inch ratchet drive
• ¼ inch drive socket set
• ¼ inch drive 8" extension
• Open and closed end wrenches
• Screwdriver

1. Remove the transmission tunnel panels inside the passenger compartment to expose the transmission housing. Disconnect the shifter post, pull the shifter, and stand free of the transmission tunnel panels. Separate the panels by turning the dzus fitting counterclockwise to release the dzus fasteners.

2. With the drive shaft removed from the tail housing of the transmission, loosen the two transmission mount bolts and nuts to allow the tail of the transmission to sit upon the mount without being secured. Disconnect the trans brake wire at the adapter connector, and pull the speed sensor wire from its adapter as well.

3. Remove the torque converter bolts that secure the torque converter to the flex plate (fly wheel). There are six bolts, three with nuts position that secure the torque converter to the engine. Remove these nuts and bolts, and be ready to free the transmission's bell housing from the engine.

4. Loosen and remove the six bell housing bolts that hold the transmission housing to the engine. When all the bolts are out, the transmission will sit upon the alignment pins that protrude out of the engine block. Gently pull the transmission back a couple of inches to get the transmission off these pins. The pan should remain on the wood stack below the transmission, but the transmission will be free to pull out of the passenger side door.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie the torque converter to the transmission bell housing with tie straps to keep the torque converter on the input shaft, instead of spilling transmission oil when the torque converter falls off the transmission when you are pulling it out of the drag race car.
• If the transmission falls off the wood blocks before the weight is carried by hand, it can damage and break the transmission's housing or transmission bolts that protrude out of the engine. Always maintain at least one hand on the transmission at all times, and make sure that it is supported by the wood block while most of the fasteners have been removed.

References

• Nitrousfitz Racing
• NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing

Resources

• Transmission Removal Pics