Hello, everybody. I'm rather new to this and I'm a little bit confused. I need to replace my transmission pan gasket, but the cross member is right below the rear of the pan. My question is do I have to remove the transmission or will I have to jack the transmission just a bit to get some clearance? It's also a 1970 skylark with a 350 and a th350. Thanks.
The pan should be close to the cross member but not above it. You should have no problem removing it. If the pan is in the way you could always support the rear of the transmission and move the cross member back to clear the pan. I just did it on my 72 GS455, th400 and it was no problem.
I put A shift kit in my 72 skylark with A TH 350 A few years ago. The best I remember I couldn't get to A few back bolts on the pan so I removed the cross member mount bolts and used A pry bar to raise the transmission up to the floor pan and stuck A wooden tapered wedge in to hold it.
Best to leave 2-3 loosened bolts in (unscrew them until the are almost ready to come out. Then pry loose open one corner of the pan and put something to catch the oil under it. That way you won't have to take a bath in fluid.
My suggestion,..take a punch and put a hole in the front corner of the pan and replace the pan with an aluminum deep pan with a drain plug,..
It's way easier than that. Loosen, but do not remove the 2 bolts holding the transmission mount to the cross member. Put a jack under the tail shaft, use a piece of wood on the jack if necessary. Lift the rear of the transmission up a bit to gain clearance. Then use a 1/4 ratchet with a universal joint and socket.
