yeah it's crazy..figures :P (my luck i get the weird one LOL) oh yeah i'm def not pulling the engine out lol Will there be enough space to get at the flexplate bolts if i just pull trans back and not drop it? and the flexplate bolts are the 12 point bolts and i doubt i will have enough space for a socket but maybe a 12 point wrench?

 

If you pull the crossmember out, then it should pull back enough for even a socket. Be sure to support the engine oil pan before taking the trans loose, so it wont drop down and break anything. Dump those 12 pt bolts once you take them out and get 6 pt.

 

hmm so what do i need to unbolt to just let the trans slide back enough to get at the flexplate? just the bellhousing bolts, crossmember bolts and speedo cable?
I just got those 12 point bolts before I put the engine in lol there ARP

 

You maybe could leave the speedo in, it would be nice if you could just unbolt the crossmember from the frame, and it would help support it along with a jack to slide it back. Obviously the driveshaft would have to come out. Well, unhooked from your rear end and the yoke left in so fluid doesn't leak all over you. The other stuff is correct. Bellhousing bolts, crossmember etc. Maybe too your cooling lines.

 

Another idea to slide it back is to thread long, say 5" bolts in and slide it back without worry of it falling. Just a thought, never tried it.

 

Not enough room to put much longer bolts into the block, as it's too close to the firewall.
You'll need a floor jack or transmission jack. I use a floor jack and I bolt a piece of 3/4" plywood around 12"-14" sq. to the lift plate after remvoing the swivel plate.
Then jack it up to just putting tension on the trans pan, then turn it so the handle is pointing at the rearend. Now you unbolt the bellhousing bolts and the crossmember and get it out of the way. Speedo needs to go too.
Roll the jack back slowly until you have enough room to access the crank bolts. If you want to reuse the ARP bolts, that's fine; I just hate 12 pt. bolts personally.
I put a bar or 2x4 across the inner fenders on top and wrap a chain around that, then bolt each end of the chain to one head with 3/8 bolt. Then I use a piece of running thread between the chain to pull the chain together. Of course if you've got an engine hoist just hook it to the engine and hold the rear tensioned up.