I'm mad and need a break..

[ejp2fast]

Ok, i am doing the 5spd swap, and have my auto tranny out and now my engine is hanging from the cherry picker with the engine lowered about a foot and a half. (for clearance to remove the tranny). I can't for the life of me get that crazy torque converter off! The 5 14mm bolts to the flywheel will not budge. Not to mention as the engine is just hanging there i don't have a tremendous amount of leverage...

anybody have any suggestions on how to get them loose?

I sprayed WD40 on them and let them set....

also, i found this to be weird the 14mm bolts are more like 13.5mm...?? there is a bunch of slop in my 14mm socket....?? anyway, i find that odd as this car is built with 8, 10, 12, 14, 17mm and the other 14mm's are not this sloppy....just an observation.

[stefan]

Do you have an impact gun?

[Pu241]

Use PB Blaster, way better than WD40!
If you don't have an impact gun, at least try to borrow a set of impact sockets they work on the flats of the bolts and not the corners.
Will help keep from rounding the bolts off.
Agree an impact wrench is the way to go!
Saved my hiney in such circumstances as this many times, one of the best tools I own!
Good luck!

[ejp2fast]

yeah, an impact may be the way to go.... i may need to splurge and get one... any excuse to get more tools!

[ejp2fast]

btw, i did end up stripping one

[Pu241]

btw, i did end up stripping one

Well the impact socket can help you there!
Might be able to borrow one or rent one!
Don't need it often but often it is the only tool that will do the job!
After you own it you'll use it way more than you ever thought!
Also don't get the cheap Chinese cr.... stuff!
Spend a little more and get a quality tool, you wont regret it!
Either pneumatic or electric will work, I've used both to good effect.
But if you don't have an air compressor that will keep up with the tool best to go with a high powered electric!

[25Horseplay]

Put a socket on the crank to keep the convertor from turning. It helps.

[littlecar]

Impact or torch take you pick.

I'd lean toward torch, cut and be done with it.

That's my advice.

[spiko]

Put a socket on the crank to keep the convertor from turning. It helps.

Brian is awesome for removing even the most stubborn bolts

[ejp2fast]

yes, the stripped one will be grinded off..

i have 120 psi air at the house....

any recommended good brands?....

[FestYboy]

the harbor freight Earthquake series is nice (have had good luck with them) also, i recomend a torch to heat around the OUTSIDE of the bolt, not the bolt itself. Add some PB to the mix and there;s nothing you can't get loose.

if you're willing to spend a bit more, there IR or snap-on if you get the snap-on, get the 3/8 gun (tons of power in a little package) no matter how you go, make sure you're using 3/8" air hose, you need the flow.

[elcamino1]

Ingersol Rand 231C one of the best 1/2" impacts you can buy!
If you buy one make sure it the C not the A!

[ejp2fast]

thanks guys.. i'll start watching for one....

update: i borrowed a 1/2 drive impact from a guy at work (called him before he left the house yesterday, he brought it to work)... then last night took it home to get these stubborn bolts out....
well, the oil pan lower section is in the way and so the impact won't even fit... arrg!
so, i got this monster vise grip (foot long) and got 1 of the 5 off.... still working on the others...

... i do have a grinder that may see some use in the next couple of days.......

[ejp2fast]

ended up grinding 3 out of the 4 bolts (i thought there was 5 bolts, but there is only 4)

i'll be doing a write up on this auto to manual swap, and i'll include how NOT to do things in that....

By the way, this is post 600!