N20Jeep Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 ok, i have a new motor/tranny to put into my 83 Datsun 280zx. and i was originally just going to drop the trans out the bottom of the car and pull the motor out threw the hood. but, after having it on the lift i found that there was no way to get all the bellhousing bolts out and there was also no way to drop the tranny because of the transmission mounting brackets(welded to the body) so i had to pull the motor/tranny out as one unit. anyone else had this issue? or is it just the way the previous owner did the conversion? i want to hurry up and swap the new combo into the car but i have a feeling im in for a hell of a fight putting it back in as a unit because of the crazy angle i had to pull it out at so it would clear everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyfriend Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 is the 280zx mounting different than the 280z? because my bellhousing was only held to the motor by 4 simple 14mm bolts. just on bolt those and the engine will come apart from the transmission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N20Jeep Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 the 2 side mounting bolts are blocked by the firewall...i cant get a socket on them and theres no way i would be able to twist them out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I don't clearly remember removing a tranny from a ZX... but I did it many times on 240's and 280's. As the non-turbo trannys were compatible, I would think it would be the same. On the S30, I was able to get the bolts loose and out with a box wrench. (from above) It was tight, and the angle was a little more acute than most wrenches have normally, but after the 3rd removal in one day, I bent the wrench in a vise to follow the bend better. I was fortunate to have a crew of "Z-buddies", so normally we would tag team it from above and below. The day I did it three times, I was solo... installing my first CenterForce clutch, which was so stiff I was convinced I had something wrong. A buddy with a little more experience came over, started it up, and drove off, to my complete shame. = ) PS: On other vehicles I have had to loosen or unbolt the motor mounts, and tilt motor and tranny down in the rear to gain access to the bolts, then level to pull off the tranny. I don't remember if you have the clearance between fan and radiator to do this though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin280zx Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I don't have trouble removing the engine/tranny as one unit, but it might be possible to remove just the tranny. I never tried but it could be possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getZ Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 not sure if this is going to work, but I was going to change the convertor so I was planning on tipping both trans and engine backwards and hopefully that will give me the clearance I need to access the bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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