John,

Just checking in with you - any luck?

Cheers,

Don

 

Some progress yesterday Don.

I was able to loosen up the transmission somewhat so that now I have a gap about a 1/4" at the bottom "join" but not at the top.

I used a flat blade screwdriver, a heat gun, pb blaster, and a sledge hammer, without the handle, right next to the dowels!

I think that I need to "realign" the trans with the engine and try again to move the trans backwards.

It was way too cold to be working on my back on the concrete floor in my garage today.

I feel a lot more encouraged at the moment as before the trans was lock solid with the engine. It will now "wiggle" a bit.

 

Knowing how thorough you are, this is a stupid question, but are you absolutely certain no bolts or screws remain around the top?

 

That is a good question Don and that is what I thought in the beginning. I used a boroscope to make sure. While I was doing that

I found one bolt hiding behind the cooler lines when checking. I used a long extension going in from the top rear of the trans to get those two top bolts out by feel and it was quite easy getting them out in the end.

So will get a heater going this morning and have a go at sliding the trans backwards off the engine which is supported from the bottom rear. I have jack stands and hydraulic lifts all over the place.

The battery is disconnected so that the suspension will not do anything suddenly!

 

This is getting to be enormously frustrating.

The transmission is totally free/loose on the lhs but on the top rhs it is tight as a clam. It is acting as if there is a bolt holding it in place but there is no bolt.

My next step is to lower the rear of the transmission as low as possible to get a better view.

I know that people have said there is no need to take out the starter but I am really wondering about that now. It is in that area where it is stuck.

 

Just found an s shaped 13mm ratchet wrench on line for $15, +$5 shipping, & tax.

Heard that was a much easier way to get the top starter nut loose, hope thats true, & i never need to find out.

 

I'll bet that's it - one or both starter bolts may need to be removed.

 

I have just ordered one.

 

I am reminded of the time I called a small airport to find out if they were open, on a foggy day. They said they were.

I should have asked if planes were taking off.

I had not yet had my first coffee.

 

PLEASE let us know how it works out, read that it makes this into a twenty min job.

About how long it usually takes to change one on most cars.

 

I will.

 

Have not had much time recently to work on my Jag too many other things going on.

However yesterday my 13 mm S wrench arrived so obviously had to give it a try. Not good news follows.

First off 13mm is a slightly loose fit multipoint socket that was the first thing I noticed.

I had to saw off the other end of the wrench so that I could fit a narrow pipe over it for leverage.

I did lower the trans as much as possible and had a clear look at all top bolt holes. I figured this bolt had a lot of stress on it. 2nd thing I realized.

So decided to add back 4 bolts to take as much stress as possible off this starter bolt.

3rd thing I realized this S wrench would not grip properly and would slide off the bolt when force was applied not a good thing at all..If I round off this bolt I will be in a heap of trouble and would be forced to painfully grind the bolt head off!!!

A 1/2" socket is a nice snug fit so I am now waiting on delivery of a 1/2" S wrench.

I also tried a 6 point moon socket and it will not get in that small restricted space possibly because the arc of "swing" is to narrow for a 6 point to get in the right position to slide over the bolt.

 

Still waiting on mine, ordered it on the 20th from Colorado.

If not here by Monday will contact the seller, holidays do tend to slow things down.

 

I am still waiting for several items like a new water pump for my truck from CA. Federal Express are shipping it from State to State.

Well I have loosened the top starter bolt!!!! Used leverage to keep the 13mm S wrench hard against the bolt so it did not slip off and it came loose!

Now in the process of turning the bolt about a 1/3rd of a turn at a time. A very slow process as getting the wrench back on after a small turn is time consuming
in and of itself.

 

Transmission is down!

I did take out both starter bolts. Do not know whether I needed to take out the bottom starter bolt however the top one for certain.

Have removed the torque converter and was expecting quite a bit of oil but not much at all.

I just have to get the transmission out from under the car not enough clearance at the moment. Trans is off the hydraulic lift and just laying on the concrete.

Will tackle that issue tomorrow.

 

Thats great news;

Does your S wrench ratchet?

I already have a set of S wrenches that do not have a ratchet mechanism, but one that ratchets after breaking loose would expedite things.

On both of my starters the stud came out with the nut still attached to it.

 

I wish my S wrench had a ratchet as that would expedite things as you state.

 

Waiting impatiently for my wrench to arrive.
I ordered a part from Florida on the 24th.
That arrived today, it was not due till Tues.

 

Deliveries here have been all over the place. Two separate items from China have beaten 1 item from CA.

Ebay notes something as shipped just because a tracking number has been provided. The seller might not ship the item for days.

 

I usually have great luck with Ebay, any issues were quickly taken care of.