Trying to replace my engine and I'm having a bit of a trouble removing the bolts on top of the transmission for easy access and enough leverage to undo the bolts. Anyone have any tips?

btw - I did try using extensions from underneath the car but its still proving to be incredibly difficult...

 

Are you removing the engine too?

 

yup - Just bought a used engine I'll be shoving into the car from the salvage yard while I pull the old one and rebuild...

 

You can pull the engine and tranny as one. Otherwise a series of extensions and wobbles will get the bolts out. It is also easier to get to the top transmission bolts if you remove the upper intake manifold.

 

Read this

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/diy-rx-8-engine-removal-how-pics-178937/

then Read this

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/complete-engine-teardown-bare-shortblock-how-pictures-178945/

if you have questions after then ask...

 

Yes, I already read those threads. It's still very difficult removing the top bellhousing bolts. But I guess I'll just have to buy a few more extenensions and see what I can find at the hardware store to make things easier

 

I told you, remove the upper intake manifold and you can get at them easily.

 

FYI, I dropped my transmission yesterday (first time for me), and to get the top 2 bolts I ended up buying a 10" extension and a 5" extension. I was on my back under the car, and the transmission was no longer connected to the driveshaft, so it was drooping down. If the transmission is still up on the PPF and/or driveshaft, I don't expect you will have enough clearance to get at them this way.

If you don't have it drooping, then behind the UIM is probably the best, though it's going to be tight from what I saw. 9k says it's doable so it probably is If the transmission is drooping though, you won't be able to reach them from behind the UIM.

 

Extensions work. It's not easy but they work. Getting at them from the top works as well, I know because I did it Saturday. Tools, tools, tools. You can never have enough.

 

you need 1/2" extensions and a 12" or longer ratchet for easy removal by hand, otherwise it takes a lot more force to overcome the torsional twisting force eaten up by a skinny, long 3/8" extension and/or shorter ratchet length, the longer the easier to work in there too; 24"+

 

unbolt all the brackets and the exhaust off and when u do it, let the tranny hang down a bit so u will have enough room to get bolts..

 

u need extension, long ones.

I never tried the Rx-8 but I had a few experience working "down there", so I know u have to drop the tranny down (remove whatever crap after like the shaft, ppf,etc) to have enough room for the top bolts.

I pulled my FC's tranny with engine out myself, in some point of view, I think FC have less working space than Rx-8. so it shouldn't be that hard.

 

Put the motor on the hoist. Pull the motor mounts and the cross brace. then drop the motor down as far as it will go. Access the top two bolts from way back around the tranny tailshaft by using two long extensions and a universal joint.

Your hand with a wrench won't fit between the firewall and the motor. Remote works pretty easily.

Hal

 

all u need is universal joint and long extension no need to hoist the engine jus let the tranny hang down til u get the top then from there u should be good,..

and to NYGPS FC have more roomto work on than rx8 been working on my fc for 5 years til i sold it this year, did everything from rear to front never had problem with space/room. well im not tryna be smart or anything but dropping the tranny on FC's are so much easier cuz u can access the upper bolts from the engine bay without even dropping the engine or using hoist.

 

getting the 2 bolts from the top of the tranny is extremely easy, if you have a frame lift at least. drop the cat and boom there they are. used an ipmact gun and a universal join and a long extension and came out it 2 minutes.