Hi all

I'm in the process of swapping the engine in my car. The engine is almost ready to be pulled out now, except for that one little hidden engine <-> torque converter bolt, the one that goes in the opposite direction than the other 5. I don't know who could design such a thing, it doesn't make any sense at all.

I still have the exhaust manifold on the engine, and I'm thinking of changing my original plan and removing it before pulling the engine out, just so I can get to that bolt.

Is there an easier way? this whole thing is driving me crazy, this one bolt is taking so much more time than any of the other parts I removed. It'* an awfully bad design.

Thanks,

Welcome to the club!

All I have to say is "REALLY LOOONNGG EXTENSION."

Shalom!

Why not take the manifold off you prolly will sometime anyways....If it will make it easier I say go for it.

Thanks guys I guess I'll go with removing the exhaust manifold while the engine is still on the car... still can't believe this design.

- Uri

ahhhhh the memories of the forearm and back pain. lol
I am willing to help you over the phone if you want. I can crawl into my fiend’* car or mine and give you exact directions. I will have to wait until the weekend but I am glad to help.

Ty

Thanks speedyguy I really appreciate it.

However, the engine is now out of the car I removed the exahust manifold first, surprisingly it wasn't very hard, and then I had easy access to that bolt. The whole thing (removing the engine) took me about 12-15 hours.

Now I'm waiting for the other engine to arrive. I already have the last digits of its number - it'* 051392, and it'* originally from a '92 Bonneville that was totalled in the US. Is there a way, like carfax, to check its history?

Anyway, thanks for all the help.

- Uri

Uri, I feel your pain! Or rather, felt your pain......I also ended up removing the firewall side exhaust manifold to gain access, then had the added luxury of having that f&^#&%^& bolt nearly seized in the aluminum transaxle. Do you suppose any engineers ever actually work on stuff they design? Obviously, not this time!

Uri! Where ya been? (I know, Isreal....but you haven't said Hi in awhile)...

Try this thread:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...pic.php?t=6015

It might give you a little more history if you know the VIN of the car the new motor came from. Keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks willwren - I'll take a look at that thread.

I know I've been quiet for a while - been busy at work as well as busy working on the car old engine is out, new engine is in and almost everything'* in place. I've got only about a couple of hours of work before the first start attempt - I'll tell you all how it went.

As to the engine replacement work, everything went pretty smoothly. The only big annoyance was that the old engine came from a Buick LeSabre (I found that out only after I bought it), so it didn't have the oil-level sensor on the oil pan. So I had to swap oil pans between the two engines and that was a bit of a headache.

I ended up removing the entire exhaust manifold before lifting the engine, and installing it back only after the engine was back in. Surprisingly it'* not much harder to remove or install the exhaust manifold while the engine is still inside.

Anyway, thanks for all the help - I'll be back with updates soon

- Uri