i have a 1983 camaro with a bad rod knock so im going to swap the 350 with another and i have everything ready but the four bolts that connect the tranmission to the engine on the bottom are to close together with the body frame. i cant fit any extension or just a pain socket on there so i cant get the bolts off so i cant get the enigine out to swap it. what do i do (besides drop the transmission with the engine still attached). and i tryed the sockets with and without the exstention and and a open end wrench.

 

Sometimes it's easier to pull the engine and tranny as a unit,I haven't done that gen Camaro before myself but if it's an auto trans that might be the way to go.
It's a hell of a lot easier to bolt up the tranny on the garage floor than it is under the car.

 

I am pretty sure I used to use a 3ft extension with a swivel socket. From underneath back by the tail shaft it a straight shot.

 

A 3 ft extension? Phew. You know, if you use a long enough extension, you won't even have to get under the car!
On a serious note, that's why sometimes it's easier to take the engine and trans out as one. It's hard enough getting the engine out separate from the trans. But it's even harder connecting it all back up again.

 

it is an auto by the way. thanks for the help cause i heard its harder to drop it all together that seperating it.

 

its much easier to pull in one piece in my opinion because lining the trans and engine up perfectly so the holes line up on its way in is a pita while in the car with little room to move. and low to no visibility in the process.

or if you have removable crossmember remove the driveshaft and crossmember while engine is still mounted. put a jack under the trans and let it down untill you can get to the engine/trans bolts easier then remove engine drop new one in. you will still probably have isibility issues and issues with lining it up. every engine swap ive ever done ive pulled them out in 1 piece

 

when i pulled mine i took the tranny off the block. it was easier for me that way. but i had ZERO help doing it and it was on rocks and dirt and mud. then when it came to the tranny i just pulled it to where the engine was, lifted it to the strut brace, got out, then pulled it out and cleaned it up. its sittin in the basement with me now. they arent nearly as heavy as a lot of people make them out to be.. i would put the tranny at MAYBE 100 pounds. the engine however.. A LOT more. have a good reliable lift when your doing this.