[Matt Harwood]

Well, we managed to pull the Century's 320 on Saturday, but the transmission gave us a fight. I planned to pull the engine/trans as an assembly, but we couldn't get the torque ball to let go. I removed the 5 bolts that go through a steel flange that seems to hold them together, but it still wouldn't budge.

Does anyone have any advice on getting them to separate? Are there other bolts that I should remove somewhere else? I'm just doing this by instinct, since the shop manual is pretty vague about removing the transmission.

Thanks for any help! (By the way, you can check out photos of the removal procedure on my page, below).

[The Old Guy]

The bolts you removed are the only ones holding the unit together. If it does not come apart, you may need to COAX it little. A wedge at the parting line ,and a BIG hammer will probably do the job! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Leif Holmberg]

You need to remove the rear shocks before you devide the Torque Ball and Transm. and I think you need to lossen the brake cable from frames to.

[The Old Guy]

Leif is correct! Before you can move the rear end far enough to remove the trans, you need to unhook the items he mentioned. The rear end should move an inch or so even with these still hooked up. Don't forget to also unhook the rubber brake line that is attached to the rear end.

[Matt Harwood]

Well, the transmission is out. I discovered the secret to successfully removing it without problems: Make sure all the bolts are out.

Duh.

I missed one on the flange. Once I removed it, the transmission practically fell out on its own. I'm such an idiot.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I appreciate it. You can see the removal process on my web page.

Bringing up this old post for clarification. Matt stated that he had already pulled the engine but couldn't get the tranny loose.(ultimately because he had not removed all the bolts) My question is: Do the rear shocks, brake lines and park brake have to be removed/disconnected to remove the tranny if the engine is not there?

As I have the entire front end off of a 54 Roadmaster I was planning on pulling the engine and transmission for detailing. Can I just unbolt the tranny from the torque tube or do I indeed have to do all the above?

[The Old Guy]

Lamar
If you disconnect the torque ball from the rear of the trans, you should be able to pull the engine far enough forward to remove the complete unit.

[Bhigdog]

Don't forget the speedometer cable.

Thanks Joe, that's good news.

Bob, do I detect fome familiarity with that situation in your voice? [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

[Bhigdog]

Twice.......DOH!