I have a 2wd f150 and I am attempting to remove the transmission via these steps...http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48997. I already got the torque converter bolts out. I just have the bellhousing bolts to take off. This brings me to my first question. How do I get those darn bellhousing bolts off on the passenger side? I've tried reaching from the top and I can't reach, and on the bottom my arms are to big to fit in the tight space between the exhaust and the frame and the tranny! Also how many bolts are there? The writeup doesn't say exactly.
My second question has to do with the lowering of the tranny. I am using a normal jack not a tranny jack, Where should i put the jack on the bottom of the tranny? Where is the point where the tranny won't tip over? Oh yeah, and I will have two other guys to help me lower the thing.

Thanks
Paul

 

First you have to be careful with a normal jack.

I removed the rear trans mount and let the tranny and motor tilt to get to the bolts that are difficult.

 

Ok I just got done replacing the E4OD in my 92 a month ago so lets see what I can remember.

For the pass side bell housing bolts I used a long extension and reached them from the rear of the transmission. By long I mean like 18''-24'' extension. This plus a 1/2'' impact works very well. Also can be used to access the top two bolts.

I think there are 6 bell housing bolts.

Using a regular floor jack on an E4OD is a little tricky due to the size of the trans and the odd shape of the pan. If you have a place like Harbor Freight tools near you, you might want to consider their transmission jack adapters. It goes in place of the standard floor jack cradle and mimics the cradle of a real trans jack. This gives you a more stable surface and some tilt adjustablility. Also it is much safer as you can run a chain over the top of the trans to help secure it to the jack. I think they are about $40.

You can do it with a regular floor jack but it will be a constant struggle to keep it on the relatively small jack cradle. The jack will need to be pretty far forward (like front of the pan area). And really try to secure it to the jack in some fashion. Chain over the top and secured to the jack. These E4ODs are HEAVY.

 

6 Bolts? I can only find 4 but oh yeah when you tip the back of the tranny down you are supposed to be able to see them so will update on progress tomorrow.

 

there's an access panel under the carpet that you can unbolt to get to the top bolts... i found out about this cover after i struggled with getting those damn bolts out... it's possible, with the right combination of tools, but if you lift up the carpet, you will see the cover in the middle of the trans tunnel closer to the firewall...

 

Forgot to mention that. Thought everyone knew about that. lol

 

wow that will help alot I wonder why the writeup doesn't talk about that?

 

So I went to harbor freight and bought the 450 LB tranny jack and some 3/8" drive socket extensions. I got the 4 bellhousing bolts out. Now I have to take the rear crossmember out to lower the trans. But first I must remove the two top bellhousing bolts. I will do that tomorrow. Also is it wise to drain the fluid b4 the drop?

 

This is how I drop the tranny on my own. I used 3/8" rod and it's attached to the frame with pipe hanger C-clamps. It took about 15 minutes to lower, but I didn't have to worry about killing myself.

 

I have a lift and a proper trans jack now but back in the day I made an adaptor out of wood to fit the E4OD pan, I used that several times with my floor jack, plus I added a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper in between the jack and adaptor to make it go up higher.

 

Note even with the proper jack the trans has a weird fit. I had to use wood to make-up the gap on the one side of the pan so it would sit straight.

What a use for Dr Pepper. Sounds like something I would do. Use what you find at the time. LOL

 

http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist2.jpg

Fixing to do it the same way with my '91 Bronco and its E4OD.
It'd be out already but feel too crummy to work on it today
after running around with out of town relatives yesterday. LOL :)

When putting the ZF in that spot I plan to use these babies...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/guidepins.jpg
Don't even think about stabbing a transmission without 'em. ;)

The Ford Shop Manual sez the E4OD holds 4 gallons of ATF! :)

A neighbor that rebuilds automatic transmissions on the side
uses ATF to clean parts in. Another reason I can see why he
might do that. ;)

Alvin in AZ

 

You are correct, I did the same on my trans jack, I have an adaptor made of wood for the E4OD and I just made another one for the 4R70W I am putting in my Bronco.