Siezed engine problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hgs_notes · 03-07-2008, 05:30 PM

I have a Jimmy with a siezed engine. I'm working on it's replacement right now, but then realized my problem. How to I get the torque converter bolts out to remove the tranny on an engine I can't rotate? I didn't want to pull the tranny and transfer case with it, just wanted to swap the motors, but that may not be possible. Will the tranny pull back far enough to reach them? Can I turn the transmission enough to get the torque converter off the tranny, then take it off the flywheel? Any ideas will help at this point.

69rut · 03-07-2008, 05:39 PM

Sing along now, the crankshaft is connected to the flexplate, the flexplate is connected to the torque converter, the torque converter is connected to the input shaft.........

Unbolt the transmission from the engine and seperate. The torque converter will remain on the flexplate. Any oil in the converter will come out with the input shaft, so be careful not to take a bath.

greasy68 · 03-07-2008, 06:01 PM

It may be better to just pull the engine tranny out together and unbolt the tranny then pull it off the TC. Like 69rut said, the converter will stay with the flywheel but you will have access to the rest of the bolts. BTW, how did the engine sieze?

cdowns · 03-07-2008, 06:58 PM

pull engine and if its seized that you cant turn it just take the pan off and pull the crank out with flexplate and converter attached then you'll be able to get to all the bolts on the converter

arkracing · 03-07-2008, 07:06 PM

Will the motor turn @ all??? or is it solid? If you can get it to turn try turning it as far one way as possible, and then back the other way. Sometimes when a rod breaks and jams somewhere you can do the opposite rotation thing and get enough rotation to get the bolts. If the motor is just seized up solid then:

Probably have to pull the converter with the motor. Be sure to have a couple buckets under it and lots of old towels and speedy dry handy. This is a great way to make a mess of your shop floor.

**LockDoc** · 03-07-2008, 09:52 PM

-
If you take the transmission housing bolts out and pull the engine you shouldn't have any problem getting the torque converter bolts out...

LockDoc

slug · 03-07-2008, 10:21 PM

if you pull the converter with the engine you may be able to take the convertor off with a wrench after it is out

cdowns · 03-07-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
If you take the transmission housing bolts out and pull the engine you shouldn't have any problem getting the torque converter bolts out...

LockDoc

i wonder what type of converters you've been woring on the ones ive seen require turning engine over to access ALL the bolts

Longhorn321 · 03-07-2008, 10:41 PM

How 'bout dropping the pan and unbolting the rods? If the main bearings are seized, then you could loosen the main caps and turn the engine. I am not speaking from experience cuz I have never taken the pan off in my truck so I don't know how hard that is, but I assume it is possible to do with the engine jacked up a little? Just curious, is it a 6 or 8 cylinder?

**fine69** · 03-07-2008, 10:45 PM

Just pull the engine with the converter still attached to the flywheel. Best way. Been there, done that.

**LockDoc** · 03-08-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i wonder what type of converters you've been woring on the ones ive seen require turning engine over to access ALL the bolts

Sorry, brain fart.... I'm thinking pressure plate. That's why I don't post much. It's too easy for me to open mouth & insert foot....

LockDoc

hgs_notes · 03-08-2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasy68

BTW, how did the engine sieze?

I bought the Jimmy from a junkyard with siezed engine. Its a 400 sbc and after pulling the heads, I figure it had a cracked block, then sat and rusted solid. It no movey no more.

BTW, thanks everyone for the help. I wasn't sure the tranny would pull away enough or if the torque converter would turn enough to come away from the tranny input shaft.

Longhorn 321, if you pull the pan on a siezed motor, you can loosen all the bolts, but if the pistons wont slide up the cylinder, the crank will not drop out. Because the rods are coming in at opposing angles, it will still be stuck, unless of course you use a torch to cut the rods. At that point, why bother.

arkracing · 03-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Holy crap that's pretty bad, looks like a saltwater boat motor

- well it's an anchor now. I've never seen a 400 with pistons that didn't have valve reliefs. Do the bores measure to 400 specs? 4.125" or larger?

just yank the converter still attached to the flexplate. - Be ready with the towels & speedydry

Longhorn321 · 03-08-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

I bought the Jimmy from a junkyard with siezed engine. Its a 400 sbc and after pulling the heads, I figure it had a cracked block, then sat and rusted solid. It no movey no more.

BTW, thanks everyone for the help. I wasn't sure the tranny would pull away enough or if the torque converter would turn enough to come away from the tranny input shaft.

Longhorn 321, if you pull the pan on a siezed motor, you can loosen all the bolts, but if the pistons wont slide up the cylinder, the crank will not drop out. Because the rods are coming in at opposing angles, it will still be syuck, unless of course you use a torch to cut the rods. At that point, why bother.

Yeah, your probably right, that thing is pretty well done.

89 crew · 03-08-2008, 09:42 AM

Don't forget to change the front seal in the transmission when you have the engine and converter out. Been there made that mistake before!

03-07-2008, 05:30 PM	#1
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Siezed engine problem I have a Jimmy with a siezed engine. I'm working on it's replacement right now, but then realized my problem. How to I get the torque converter bolts out to remove the tranny on an engine I can't rotate? I didn't want to pull the tranny and transfer case with it, just wanted to swap the motors, but that may not be possible. Will the tranny pull back far enough to reach them? Can I turn the transmission enough to get the torque converter off the tranny, then take it off the flywheel? Any ideas will help at this point. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

03-07-2008, 05:39 PM	#2
69rut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 158	Re: Siezed engine problem Sing along now, the crankshaft is connected to the flexplate, the flexplate is connected to the torque converter, the torque converter is connected to the input shaft......... Unbolt the transmission from the engine and seperate. The torque converter will remain on the flexplate. Any oil in the converter will come out with the input shaft, so be careful not to take a bath. __________________ trailers are for boats

03-07-2008, 06:01 PM	#3
greasy68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: austin texas Posts: 202	Re: Siezed engine problem It may be better to just pull the engine tranny out together and unbolt the tranny then pull it off the TC. Like 69rut said, the converter will stay with the flywheel but you will have access to the rest of the bolts. BTW, how did the engine sieze? __________________ Mike 68 C10 LWB midnight blue metallic 307ci, 700R4, HEI front discs, leaf spring rear tilt steering wheel, stock ride height, rally wheels, 2007 Dodge Charger(Hemi)

03-07-2008, 06:58 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Siezed engine problem pull engine and if its seized that you cant turn it just take the pan off and pull the crank out with flexplate and converter attached then you'll be able to get to all the bolts on the converter __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-07-2008, 07:06 PM	#5
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Re: Siezed engine problem Will the motor turn @ all??? or is it solid? If you can get it to turn try turning it as far one way as possible, and then back the other way. Sometimes when a rod breaks and jams somewhere you can do the opposite rotation thing and get enough rotation to get the bolts. If the motor is just seized up solid then: Probably have to pull the converter with the motor. Be sure to have a couple buckets under it and lots of old towels and speedy dry handy. This is a great way to make a mess of your shop floor. __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered Last edited by arkracing; 03-07-2008 at 07:07 PM.

03-07-2008, 09:52 PM	#6
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 26,078	Re: Siezed engine problem - If you take the transmission housing bolts out and pull the engine you shouldn't have any problem getting the torque converter bolts out... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-07-2008, 10:21 PM	#7
slug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Groves,TX Posts: 483	Re: Siezed engine problem if you pull the converter with the engine you may be able to take the convertor off with a wrench after it is out

03-07-2008, 10:41 PM	#9
Longhorn321 Size Matters Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lyman, SC Posts: 9,189	Re: Siezed engine problem How 'bout dropping the pan and unbolting the rods? If the main bearings are seized, then you could loosen the main caps and turn the engine. I am not speaking from experience cuz I have never taken the pan off in my truck so I don't know how hard that is, but I assume it is possible to do with the engine jacked up a little? Just curious, is it a 6 or 8 cylinder? __________________ "Reading the owners manual is only for quitters." Jason Harper, Bloomberg News. ...WOOOO HOOOO!!!! Last edited by Longhorn321; 03-07-2008 at 10:42 PM.

03-07-2008, 10:45 PM	#10
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: Siezed engine problem Just pull the engine with the converter still attached to the flywheel. Best way. Been there, done that. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6 Last edited by fine69; 03-07-2008 at 10:45 PM. Reason: spelling

03-08-2008, 08:16 AM	#13
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Re: Siezed engine problem Holy crap that's pretty bad, looks like a saltwater boat motor - well it's an anchor now. I've never seen a 400 with pistons that didn't have valve reliefs. Do the bores measure to 400 specs? 4.125" or larger? just yank the converter still attached to the flexplate. - Be ready with the towels & speedydry __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered Last edited by arkracing; 03-08-2008 at 08:19 AM.

03-08-2008, 09:42 AM	#15
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: Siezed engine problem Don't forget to change the front seal in the transmission when you have the engine and converter out. Been there made that mistake before!

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