Changing flex plate without removing trans (FE/C6) Possible?

[DuckRyder]

I am sure the answer is can't be done, since it would be too easy for me, but.

Has anyone successfully changed the flexplate without separating/removing the transmission?

I really do not want to deal with the suspension crossmembers and exhaust. I seem to recall the torque converter will slide back quite a ways.

TIA

[fordman]

i dont think it can be done. i dont know if you can slide the whole trans back far enough. you might be able to. if you cant get it done it might be easier to pull the engine to replace it.

[DuckRyder]

Lord give me strength...

[fordman]

whatever

[ToughOldFord]

You'd have to separate the two at the very least. The TC won't slide back far enough to allow a wrench onto the flex plate to flywheel bolts. Even if by some miracle you did get them off you'd never get a torque wrench in there when you put them back on.
I don't even know if you'd be able to slide the tranny back far enough to do it, but I'd imagine it'd be a PITA to work around anyway. And if your luck is like mine you'd have it suspended up there and while you're wrenching on the flex plate the damn thing would fall forward and the TC would slide out and land land on your arm, you'd slam your head on the concrete in pain and the truck would roll of the ramps/stands. And someone would be nearby to laugh the whole time.

Sorry about the detail, but I have experience in bad things.

[DuckRyder]

You'd have to separate the two at the very least. The TC won't slide back far enough to allow a wrench onto the flex plate to flywheel bolts. Even if by some miracle you did get them off you'd never get a torque wrench in there when you put them back on.

Thank You tough old ford, that is what I needed to know...

[fordman]

You'd have to separate the two at the very least. The TC won't slide back far enough to allow a wrench onto the flex plate to flywheel bolts. Even if by some miracle you did get them off you'd never get a torque wrench in there when you put them back on.
I don't even know if you'd be able to slide the tranny back far enough to do it, but I'd imagine it'd be a PITA to work around anyway. And if your luck is like mine you'd have it suspended up there and while you're wrenching on the flex plate the damn thing would fall forward and the TC would slide out and land land on your arm, you'd slam your head on the concrete in pain and the truck would roll of the ramps/stands. And someone would be nearby to laugh the whole time.

Sorry about the detail, but I have experience in bad things.

some guys. say when did you get that new avatar?

[ToughOldFord]

You'd have to separate the two at the very least. The TC won't slide back far enough to allow a wrench onto the flex plate to flywheel bolts. Even if by some miracle you did get them off you'd never get a torque wrench in there when you put them back on.
I don't even know if you'd be able to slide the tranny back far enough to do it, but I'd imagine it'd be a PITA to work around anyway. And if your luck is like mine you'd have it suspended up there and while you're wrenching on the flex plate the damn thing would fall forward and the TC would slide out and land land on your arm, you'd slam your head on the concrete in pain and the truck would roll of the ramps/stands. And someone would be nearby to laugh the whole time.

Sorry about the detail, but I have experience in bad things.

some guys. say when did you get that new avatar?

I just did that, this morning or last night, I forget exactly. I was in a mood.

[fordman]

thats kind of funny in a different kind of way.

[Wes]

It can be done, but you have to seperate the trans from the engine. I do Chebies in 45 mins.
You need to remove dip stick tube, the trans cooler lines from the trans, shift linkage, drop the drive shaft from diff, tape U joint, speedo cable ??.
rear trans mount and sometime is helpful to remove cross member.
Get 2 bolts same thread and dia as bell housing bolts but 6" long. exchange these bolts for the bell housing bolts at 9 and 3 o clock, remove the remaining bolts. remove flex plate- torque converter bolts. slide trans back as far as you can. Now you should have enough room to use 1/2" drive ratchet and torque wrench.
This should work w/o moving the exhaust or the middle cross member.