[daleraby]

Good Morning. I have an '85 Blazer, 2.8L, V-6, Auto, 2WD. The transmission leaks badly from the front seal. Cost of repairs would exceed the value of the vehicle. I plan to do it myself. I have most common tools, wrenches and such, jack stands and a floor jack. I am not a mechanic, though I've worked on a variety of automobiles, trucks, and farm tractors. Does anyone have any suggestions for me that I won't find in the books? I hate surprises.
Thanks.

[akm]

yeah, the bolts holding the trans to the block are hard as hell to get to. you will need about a 2ft extenstion to get to the basturds. but everything else is pretty basic. pull the drive shaft, pull the three converter bolts, pull the tranny lines, pull the kick down cable, unplug anything that might be connected, support rear of engine, support the tranny and pull the cross member, lower the tranny a bit and pull the bolts out of the back of the engine holding on the tranny, shake-pull-shake-pull and its out.
if anyone thinks i missed something please reply.
good luck

[daleraby]

Thanks. I suppose I'll have to get a long extension... or else make one. Any particular reason you have to support the engine? It stays mounted when the tranny is removed, doesn't it? Also, I wonder how to reach that seal... will I have to split the case, or is it accessible from the front of the transmission once the torque converter is gone?

[troy-curt]

When you pull the converter, there it is.
Pop it out put in new one.

You support the eng. so you wont hurt the mounts. dist ect.

Oh yeh, don`t ever try to split the case on a GM trans, as they are one piece/tail housing.
Good Luck

Troy;

[daleraby]

Thank you gents... nice to know that hotrodders are still as helpful as they were thirty and forty years ago. I do wish I could manage a conversion to an inline six with manual transmission, but that would be quite a bit beyond my abilities... not to mention my budget. Will let you know how it went.

[adtkart]

Now to make things more complicated. Many times people think that they have a leak from the front seal. Actually it can also be leaking from the front pump gasket due to loose bolts or even from the front of the pan. You might want to look real good before you pull the trans out to make sure where it is leaking. Also it may not help to just replace the seal, as the pump bushing or convertor may be worn, causing the leak at the seal. Good Luck

[paul poirier]

If it is the Original 1985 700R4 than the Pump bushing can and will walk forward blocking the oil return for the seal. Then the oil will blow out the seal usualy at highway speeds. Before you pop the seal look closely and see if the bushing is about 1/4" back from the seal or has it moved close to the seal lip..

[airworld2]

Pump bushing is always replaced when you do a good reseal job on your s-10 replace torq converter as well is always worn down from bad bushing.This 2.8 was the worst to leak from front seal many thought are out there as of why they leaked many times lock up clutch was never working at all over heating the converter. Bushing will spin out and keep front seal open not letting garter spring close arond the rubber of the seal of even worse the seal will blow out completely, drill return oil holes out to at least 1/4 oil pump front as well at rear stator face. tranny shop will do it for you after you yank it out... before you cost yourself undo expense

[Crosley]

if the bushing has walked forward (seen many of them) on my site:

http://www.geocities.com/crosley_az/pump.htm

there are some photos to show how to stake the bushing in place to help avoid it moving again.

You may have a cracked hub on the converter.

[daleraby]

I'd heard about these problems before, but nobody ever told me the cure for 'em. I thought you just put it together and hoped and prayed that it would last a while. Thanks again. I did have a mechanic advise me that the leak was from the front pump seal... and that if he replaced the seal... at a fairly hefty price, there would not be any guarantee that something else would not go wrong. I suppose when I am sitting and looking at my busted knuckles after the job is over I'll question the wisdom of doing it myself, but busted knuckles heal and busted budgets don't, so I'll be removing the transmission at least... even if I have to take it elsewhere for servicing.

[adtkart]

Airworld.... glad to see you back. Always happy to see your explanations. Yes... everyone wants to just change the seal and think it will fix the problem. Usually on a front pump or rear seal, there is a reason that the seal is leaking. Something is worn out, besides the seal.

[jimfulco]

Be sure you understand that the trans probably weighs 150 lbs. or so, has no handles on it, and will be oily wherever you try to hold it. Use a transmission jack & make sure it's strapped down TIGHTLY. They tend to loosen themselves during the shaking & pulling part, & then aim for important parts of your body when they fall. Trans. jacks can be rented, but Harbor Freight sells them cheap.

[akm]

one more thing, when reinstalling the converter be sure that it is fully seated. put the converter on and push while turning and it will go in about another 1/2'' or so then it is fully seated.