Well it looks like my new TCI trans has to come out. Up to this point I have removed/installed the engine and trans all together as one unit. This process is fairly easy I did it all by myself in a few hours. Other than taking the hood on and off, I had to have the wife help with that just because its so big and bulky.

My new 390 seems to be running perfect so I am thinking I will leave the engine in the truck and just drop the trans. The truck is in the garage and I have it sitting up pretty high on jackstands at all 4 corners.

Is it alot more trouble to r&r the trans all by itself? I kind of hate to pull the engine again because it seems to be running so good. Would it be worth it to pull the engine/trans together even though the engine is running great?

It looks like the bellhousing crossmember will have to come out. Any other advice/tips/tricks will be appreciated. I know this has been done alot but I cant seem to find a write up on it using the search feature. Thanks

 

Ensure you have a Tranny jack and you should be fine. I believe you should be able to get to everything fairly easy and apperantly you know what you're doing so have at it. A buddy would be great when you're ready to drop it instead of trying to do everything yourself....saftey first....for the wifey.

 

Well the trans is out. It wasnt too bad. I did it all by myself in about 3.5-4 hours.

I think I will unbolt the headers from the heads when I reinstall the new trans. I unbolted the exhaust pipe at the collectors but the collectors themselves were in the way of getting the trans out. I was able to wrestle it out but it will be easier going back in if the headers are unbolted.

I have a craftsman motorcycle jack I use for my Harley and it makes an excellent trans jack.

I started the motor one final time before I dropped the trans, it runs GREAT!! Sounds like a damn sewing machine when I stick my head in the engine compartment, walk around the truck and the Flowmasters rumble very nicely. I am going to try to talk TCI into sending me a brand new unit so I dont have to wait for them to rebuild this one. I am very anxious to drive this damn truck!!!!!!!