Ok first let me say hi and great forum. second i need some help with any advice you all can give me on how to take off my transmisson (or any other way to get to the flexplate) off. Reason it seems my starter wont turn over my engine, seems the flexplate is just free spining...how it happened I don't know, one day riding along and herd a noise thought i hit something (cat or such) then engine started sounding funny and i seemed to loose power ( truck didnt want to move when the gass was pressed) pulled over shut it off and looked around saw nothing and when i tried to start it just heard a grinding noise ( first thought was starter not engaging fly wheel ) upon further examination after geting the truck home saw that the starter looks like it engages the flexplate and the thing just spins around...truck info is a 1974 f-100 originaly with a/c ( no compressor when i got it) originally 390 ( now 351 don't know what type but has 8 bolts on valve covers ) 2 wheel drive automatic dont know what transmisson, pan has 18 bolts....what i hope you all can do for me is just tell me any how to tricks of the trade you know how many bolts, how hard, any special tools i need, any step by step you all use...i have a haynes maual but they say nothing on how to remove an auto transmission..also i'm more of a novice mechanic weekend warrior type who has learned all i nkow by trial and error...couple or more things any ideas on what caused this and taking it to a shop right now i cant afford ( since truck has to be towed and no shop is close and aslo no shop will quote me a price they say they have to take it off ad look first and you know once its in the shop i'm stuck having to pay whatever they want... thanks a lot in advance for any and all hep
Ernie

 

The Hanes manual should have the process for removing the tranny, mine does, section 7B. I like to get a Chilton's also to cross check the information they give me.

 

Just do it, dude. You need one jack to hold the engine up in the back and a floor jack to lower the transmission. Several feet of extentions for a 3/8 or 1/2 ratchet and a 5/8 socket and box end wrench for the bell housing bolts. remove drive shaft, starter, remove 4 nuts converter to plate, disconnect linkage & modulator & cooler hoses. Stick the floor jack under it, pull the crossmember out, back it out and drop it. A couple of 3/8 NC threaded rods in two of the block holes makes it a lot easier to stab. Get new plate to crankshaft bolts from the dealer, I wouldn't trust the old ones. Oh yea, push the converter back on the input shaft so you don't drop it and make a huge mess. GL

 

Hey thanks a lot torque1st in my book the pages were stuck together ( some kind of grease?) and i just blew by the page ( man i feel kind of dumb ) but hey live and lern...also thanks to ecuri i did start it and i'll see if i can finish it tommorow and hey if i cant fix it at least i wont hurt it you know thanks again to you both and peace for now
Ernie
one more thing before i go to bed what is the best place to put the jack to support the engine? thanks agian

 

Oil pan, with a block of wood between pan and jack, as wide or wider than pan.

 

For sure get new bolts. Your problem is most likely someone used old ones and the snapped off. They are only made to be used once. I wouldn't really drop the trans completely out, just back it up enough to do the job. Check the holes in the plate too and make sure they are still round.

 

Ill play devils advocate for a sec...I have seen the flexplate crack and break in the center. tho rare unless someone in the past didnt tighten all 6 crank mounting bolts ...keep in mind you may need to buy a flexplate..

 

or shock loading abuse like jerking tow chains or wet spin to dry pavement lock-up.

 

I've gotten away not having to drop the transmission out to replace the flexplate. Pull the starter, unbolt the flexplate from the convertor and slide it back into the bell. Take the crossmember out and support the back of the transmission, after removing the driveshaft. Disconnect the shift linkage, and remove the bell housing bolts, replacing them with bolts a couple inches longer than the originals. Then just slide the transmission back, and slip a breaker bar up to remove the crankshaft bolts. That method has worked well for me (no garage, working in a stone driveway)!

 

hello all thanks for the advice here's a quick update..first (in case i forgot the truck is on the street in front of my house) got the transmission off ( man that was hard ) i dont know where to start the person who had this truck before i did really cut corners or did'nt care but the crossmember was not attached to the rest of the frame ( screwed into the tranny but not anywhere else) second i had to take the flexplate off with the tranny and found that the bolts to the crankshaft were broken off funny thing though ony appeared to have three bolts (all i could find were 3 broken bolt heads and on the crankshaft only 3 screw pieces broken in the holes other holes are empty), flexplate looks cracked in a couple of spots so i have to get a new one ....
so 2 more questions how do i get the broken screws out of the crankshaft? ( i guess drill since they are broken clean off no way to grab them but what type of drill and bit do i need you know how much power what size ...also when i go looking for another flexplate what do i ask/look for should i just take the one i have a get one that looks the same? once again thanks in advance for any and all help and thanks for all help/advice recived Peace for now
Ernie

 

Get the correct plate for the motor. The bolts shouldn't be in there very tight. Sometimes you can work them out with your fingers or a small punch. They usually have an "edge" on them where they broke that you can use to unscrew them. If that don't work, then go the easy-out route.