What technique do you use to remove the top two bolts where the motor meets the transmission?

I am almost done with the motor pull from my '89 and I had a bit of trouble getting to the top two bolts on the back of the motor. (BTW: this is my first motor pull on an 89+ FC and I don't remember it being this hard to get to, maybe it is the difference in the intake manifold.)

I tried using extensions and a 14mm swivel socket on my impact wrench from underneath but they never turned. I ended up having to remove the rear motor loop (used for attaching to the motor when you pull it) and used the two wrench method for extension from the top. Because there is almost no room between the intake manifold and the firewall this circus act of getting to the bolts took nearly 30 minutes.

Please don't suggest the obvious of removing the intake manifold. I would much rather deal with getting to two difficult bolts than pulling the intake manifold with the motor still in the car.

 

My arms were scrawny enough that I reached through and around the UIM and plennum with a 14mm open end and did it...or they were then. Typically anymore I use the long extension with a swivel socket technique and it works pretty well...

 

those bolts are right there to take a wrench to when you remove the intake manifold. I know its not what you wanted to hear, but why are you leaving the intake manifold on the motor anyways? You have to take it off to get the wiring harness and away from the motor. You should have left te manifold off when you did that. If you dont have a lift eye to bolt to the back of the motor(the lift eye on the manifold is next to useless, b/c you have to put the manifold back on after you have it off to remove the harness), you should get one. Im sure you could find a universal lift eye.

 

the two wrench method was what my mechanic co-worker used to get to those bolts for me when i was stuck there pulling the motor out, works like a charm

 

a wrench or socket from up top or a universal joint and a foot long extension from the bottom.

 

Actually you do not have to pull the intake manifold and remove the wiring harness in some cases. Sometimes when you buy a used engine they give you the intake and wiring harness still attached...simply pull your glove box and disconnect the harness from there and pull it through...voila, that leaves only about a dozen bolts to undo.

 

I use an air rachet. Works great.

 

I am able to leave the intake manifold on because I am pulling the motor with the harness attached. With about 10 minutes of work under the dash you can pull the engine harness from the ECU and push it out into the engine bay.

I guess I don't have long enough extensions or a strong enough impact wrench (it is a cheap Harbor Freight model).

 

Just turn up the psi on your compressor