I've got all the bolts out and we've wedged a 1-inch gap in between the trans and the block (you can see the flywheel and internals of the trans), but I'm unable to fully separate the trans from the engine. Is there an internal shaft or something that's connecting the two???

 

Is the clutch fork disconnected?

 

Unbolt slave.

Pull out fork.

 

d'oh... will do that tonight. Thanks

 

Try turning the top starter bolt some more too. It never seems to unscrew the whole way the first time.

 

Clutch fork it was. Motor's out. :-) Time to start the bidding process...

 

is there a comprehensive diy guide with photos to remove the trans on here?

 

It's apparently not that hard. You need to take off the starter, drop the subframe down a few inches (don't take it off) and then make sure to have a long ass extention for your socket wrench (36" if i remember correctly)

 

Yeah trans shouldn't be too hard (don't forget about the shifter, though! Center console is easy to remove - it literally just pops off)

We actually removed the whole engine without removing the transmission, and didn't even have to touch the subframe.

 

^^ ah yes, also need to take out the shifter, and the pivot fork, slave, etc