$300 1956 Chevy Ultimate Fail - Transmission Removal On My BACK! 

I’m 15 and I just replaced the clutch in my 49 Plymouth, that was a disaster, I couldn’t find a damn clutch alignment tool anywhere, I had to make one! it was fun to see I’m not the only one struggling on their back working on their POS!😂 love the videos Dan, let’s see that model a on here soon!

I bought the scissor lift trans jack at harbor freight for doing a trans in my driveway. It's good because it doesn't leak down when you get pissed off and leave it for a week.

Dan, cut the heads off two long bolts , slot them to use as alignment pins. Also take your dipstick out of trans and hang it in car. You can make a small flat plate to bolt on y our jack, thought it may help

Man, the memories came flooding back, watching this brings back all the BS I went through. At 70, I really appreciate the channel, and what you're sharing. Thank you sooo much!!!!....

I once changed a cast iron powerglide in a 57 chevy on my back in the yard of my mother's house. A turbo 350 is heavy but those old cast iron glides were just horrible.

I just did a 4l80e under an rv, in a dirt trench dug under the rv where I removed a couple of baby rattle snakes. Talk about fun. Ratchet straps were key and a good safety measure.

Your persistence paid off. No hammers thrown, no boot dents in the side of the car. Your the man Dan. This is why I love your videos so much. Keep them coming!!!

That hood appears to be the hood off a well-known '56 Chevy drag race car out of Saskatoon, campaigned by Dave Collins...Fun Fact.

Hey Dan, you would not believe how many times I found myself reaching for the front of your transaction to push it on the floor Jack for you! I've been in that same spot before. Then all I could do was laugh at myself.

It’s not that I like to watch you struggle. But the fact it, this is the kind of reality that usually gets edited out. It’s all fun and games when you’re showing it high speed, and it looks so easy. Thanks for showing the slow motion frustration of reality.

My god man, this is like a flashback 30 years ago. Brings back many memories both good and bad. ;)

I still have 6in bolts in my toolbox from other times I've done flywheel jobs on Chevys. Ask me what I did with 6in 3/8 bolts🙏😁👍 Thanks for sharing Dan

I don't use jackstands! I crib timber under my outfits.. Had a jackstand fail once and drop a truck on me.. luckily my shop foreman was right there to air the floor jack up..

BACK IN THE 60"S CHANGING CAST IRON AUTO"S WITH BLOCKS OF WOOD AND A BOTTLE JACK!OH YEAH THE GOOD OLD DAYS! GREAT JOB DAN! NEVER SAY DIE!

Dan I got "LUCKY way back on a small block and shoved the torque converter back enough to get the bolts out of the cranckshaft side without removing the tranny. But I like to watch the struggle.

I would take some of that money you got for the blue truck and get a transmission jack.

The th350 in my Nova now I benched press from my chest off gravel ground to install it. Held it in place with my nees and elbows wail I started the bolts with my fingers...oh and it was almost 100 degrees that day! Seriously! Almost 10 years ago. Don't think I would do it that way again...lol! Great job both of you! 👍

This is Brian from Chicago speaking. Loved your video. As you did the work, I'm yelling at the tv screen to you . I'm yelling. "TIGHTEN THAT DISTRIBUTOR- IT'S SPINNING!". And I'm screaming to you to be careful or you'll both get Hernias. You took me back 40 years, into all my old garage car repair experiences. Thanks you guys.

I feel your pain, i've laid under cars trying to hoist a box out and back in holding it up with my arms and knees....

They say experience is a good teacher. Trust me Dan, I still do it the same way (after 40 yrs) the hard way. Just make sure to throw some Locktite on them bolts and torque'm good!

“The tail shaft is long” “ that’s what she said” , good one Dani 🤣🤣🤣

All I can say is God bless you bud. I've been there many years ago and feel your pain.

You need ya like a 12 x 12 or better plate on a post that fits in the place of where the jack pad goes . Will save your sanity. ;)

Great video my friend keep them coming

2 long bolts thru the bell housing and slide tranny back enuff to get bolts out of flex plate Makes things aloooot easier

Great job Dani for getting the transmission back in for Dan. You're a good woman.

Great entertainment Dan and Dani. Thanks for taking us along for the struggle. Transmission swaps are not fun, especially on the floor but glad it worked out.

Dan, You have the best help help in world right there a woman that loves you and will work right beside you. you are a lucky man.

Been there, done that too many times.

Props to Danni on lowering the jack easy (instead of "all at once") an extra set of hands in the shop is a Good Thing

Love this car. Glad it's back in shop

Get two bolts about 1 inch longer than your bell housing bolts and cut the heads off of them, then take your grinder and cut a slot across the ends so a screw driver can fit in them. Screw them into the engine on each side and use them for guide bolts. When you have a few of the other bolts installed use a screw driver to remove the guide bolts. I have found this to make the job much easier.

I felt your pain and frustration. I have been exactly where you were many times. It's a struggle and never fun. Well done.

Dan, that's the most I've seen you struggle with anything on DD Speed Shop!! Nicely done!! Plus an assist from Danielle. Keep up the great work!! Cheers!!

I wanted to swear for you, but your chuckle calmed me down. This was an awesome display of self control! Great content!

While watching you struggle with the jack and trans two things kept going through my mind. 1: I so much wanted to jump under there and help you. 2: Dani’s comments where making me crack up. I feel your pain my friend having done a few trans/gearbox swaps on my back on the garage floor.👍👍😁

hint if you have the jack handle to the front of the car . as you lower the jack the transmission moves back away from the motor and when you install it that way it brings it forward. makes less likely to come off the jack. ps it's refreshing to see someone on the tube not r and a transmission in 15 minutes. honestly in older pre emission cars I found it faster and easier to pull the engine and trans together.about an hour then lining up the trans take a couple of minutes. I hate working on my back. would of made a lousy hooker

That moment you get the trans back on the dowel pins tho.....this Dan feels your pain Dan! Man I want this car!!! Drive it over to Regina for me lol

I feel your pain. I used to do that in my yard with a scissor jack. I used blocks of wood until I got it high enough to get the scissor jack underneath it. Dannie did so much pumping, she should charge $15.00 an inch😂

Step one clean work space, Dan pushes shit everywhere. Work space cleared of all tools. Love it

Reminds me of when I was 17, only I had no jack and did it in the yard. Yes it was a turbo 350 also. Couldn't even dream of doing it now.

More videos of Dan’s struggles please!! This is gold!!😂😂

The struggle is real man! But hey that's hot rodding, I always say " it's tough out here being a cool guy" and it is haha!

I use 2 long bolts in the bottom Holt holes lean motor down slide it back then you don't have to drop transmission

Its fun to watch you guys work together. Your a lucky man.

It's great to have an assistant that's able to operate the floor jack and camera at the same time.

Hey Dan. Good work Man. Ilike that. greets Ernst

Am I confused or do they also call that a fly wheel? Oh, and years ago my brother-in-law "bench pressed" the transmission into his 70 chevelle on his garage floor... he never tired of telling the tale 😁😁

I usually leave them up there,and cooler lines stay on. Wrenches to get bolts out and back in. You are so fortunate your wife is willing to help. Heck, im sure i heard Dani volunteer!

I'm glad you didn't edit out all the fun.👍 I think you now have reason for a hoist.

Sitting here watching the video eating peaches and watching Dan go through maximum suffering. Life is good…🤣🤣🤣 I know that pain way to well though..🤣🤣

Great self control on the curse words. I did a swap on a 3/4 Chevy using 2x6's and cut off bolts to help line it up . Took 5 hours but I did it. Good video

The struggle was real!!!! Props to both of you 👍

Transmission jack on order 🧐 Was definitely entertaining . All part of the fun of working on car’s but still satisfying 😎👌😊

Came for the struggle,stayed for the comments and profanity! I do feel your pain. Try it when your almost 60. I have been doing some work sans hoist and its killing me. And the pain doesent go away. Back in my early 20’s i put a 727 into my 68 coronet without a jack. That didnt seem so bad back then.

Wish I could help, Been there dine that, no fun and glad you had Dani to work the jack. Hard work seems to follows you Dan and we RU-vidrs enjoy your pain But you show real life and the struggles of having a hot rod.

Dan, be happy that the torque converter didn't fall out sending fluid everywhere. That happened to me a few times. Finally broke down and got a trans jack. Nice job

Danni is the star of this one. "One good thing is that the bar is hiding your butt crack!" 😂😂😂😂 And the invaluable working on the floor jack. Brilliant stuff. Sorry that you had to suffer, Dan😉

Yep sitting in my easy Chair a few Beers. Watching you SUFFER .very relaxing

Dan your a lucky man to have a sweetheart that enjoys wrenching. Never happens in my arena.

I cut the heads off a couple of 2.5-3" long 3/8" bolts and use them to help guide the bellhousing to the block. I usually use the bolt holes just above the dowel pins but have used the bottom bolt holes when needed if the others wouldn't work. I do the same thing when attaching a manual transmission to the bellhousing using the appropriate sized bolts. You did good. No cussing on camera. I develop temporary tourrettes syndrome when I work on my cars. LOL

Dan. Its painful to watch. Been there before and again. We still come back for more. Good job

Dan, do yourself and veiwers a favor. INVEST in a transmission jack! Did this myself after putting in a turbo 350 one time and all it took was one time.

Dan please get you a transmission jack it will make life so much better and one of the best investment you will do. Great job man catch you on the next one 👍😎✌️

I have struggled with transmissions before like that . I wanted to get my transmission jack and load up and come help get that transmission back in ! But you got it done!

Tapps Car Show in Yorkton Sask on July 17th 11am till 3pm!.

I used a floor jack but cut a piece of plywood slightly larger than the trans pan and drilled a hole on each side for a cargo strap. I secured the plywood to the jack with a carriage bolt and big washer and nut. Worked well.

Thanks for sharing your friend from B.C Rob 🇨🇦

The last cast iron powerglide I pulled to swap to a muncie , I was laying on a sheet of plywood in the mud , after I got the last bolt out I slid out and grabbed a piece of 2" pipe and wiggled it against the trans till it cratered the plywood , heavy mofo's , Keep the vids coming Dan

Good job Dan and Dani. Thanks for sharing. 👍😃👉🇺🇸🇨🇦

How many times has that happened to me? That is the bloody worst situation to be in with the damn jack rolling away and you’ve got no leverage. But it is funny when it’s someone else that it’s happening to. Good work Dan 😎

When I pull and replace a transmission I take a piece of plywood roughly the size of the trans pan and hanger strap it to the jack lifting thing. When installing I get the trans up on the ply and hanger strap it to the plywood. Then the trans isn't constantly falling off the jack. After I have it jacked up and a couple bolts caught I snip the straps and remove the jack. Works pretty well. For removing I do the plywood, and if possible fish some straps up over the trans to screw to the ply. If it can't be done the wider plywood still works better to keep the trans upright and balanced than just the small lift circle of the jack.

Bro, I feel for you, being under the car, wrestling with the tranny, I had to bench press the damn thing in. Didn’t even have a jack( it was a Muncie M21) with no alignment tool for the clutch. A paragraph of vulgarity later, I got it in. It came back to me from 46 years ago when I saw you struggling with that so and so. Glad you succeeded buddy. Big Al.

I really feel your pain when that trans slipped off the jack brother. I can remember on more than a couple occasions having that very thing happen to me too. I now have a proper trans jack so that I don't have that problem anymore. It's a real pain!

Loved it . My world ! Now that is reality tv ! Ya , the take it apart is easy . The put it together right , is usually a lot harder . Good job guys ! Not a fail !

Dan remove the filler tube....turn the jack around and get a 24 in 3/ 8 extension. Use a universal socket and all the bell housing bolts will come out from the bottom. Hope this makesvit easier next time

Dan You got that 1956 Chevy looking great I remember when you first got it. That white looks great on it you scare me with the flip flop slippers on, put some steel toes on you're going to lose your toes 😂😂😂😂😂 keep up the good work with those cars they all look great 👍🏼

“Oh, self tappers!” A surprise from 9 months ago Dan. 😂

Fellow long hair here - I've done this job like you a bunch of times but never with as much poise and good spirits. 🍻🍻🍻

You know the struggle is real when you're lying on your back under a car almost defeated but laughing your head off at something ridiculous

Hey Dan when I was a truck mechanic for Eastern Airlines we used same thread bolts with the heads cut of about 4 of them 3-4 inches long as guides made it so a 5 year old could get a transmission in ,LOL .Try it next time just cut the heads screw in the bolts. Oh put a little taper on the cut end. Take them out afte trans is in and throw them in your toolbox for next time. Just a tip... Glenn

We always had to bench press the transmissions in and out when I was a teenager.

Lol, been there and it takes a lot of crazy laughter and a few choice words and then your mint!

LOL that's the hood I sold a few months ago.. Nice to see it being used.

I feel your pain Dan, been there done that too many times! Finally broke down and bought a trans jack!

My old ass just did this on a gravel driveway, by myself, with the front of the car up on ramps. I feel you man.

Sounds great. I pulled 4 transmission on my Impala. Not fun job by yourself

Lol! I just recently removed the SM456 transmission (170+ pounds) out of my 72 C10 it fell off the jack and by saving my face I sacrificed my hand. My hand may never be the same, LOL! So for the installation I bought a transmission jack from Princess Auto. Made life easier for sure. Trans jack is worth the money!

It's nice to have help...I feel for ya... I have had to do this so many times. Had my Mom help me one time. It would be nice to have a Trans jack or a lift.

Holy moly Dan, you're a strong auto repair beast!

one man and a jack and a transmission? sounds like my shop. i feel your pain, Dan... i feel the pain.

This vid fully represents every time I have swapped a trans myself in my life

Well Dan..... been there and bought the tee shirts.... often enough to get me a trip to Germany for back surgery. But it’s all better now and I’m still doing it lol. Though I did buy a few more tools. I share your pain bro!

I did a trans r&r in a '69 GMC pickup out in the street in front of my apartment back in the day. Brutal !

I thought for sure that torque converter was going to fall off the input shaft with the amount of angle you had it at, putting It Back on the jack... Jack. LOL Always try to pull a Positive from a Bad Situation. One puddle of trans fluid to clean up is better than TWO. lol

I have changed flex plates a few times without dropping the transmission by putting in a couple of long bolts between the transmission and engine block, slide the transmission back on the bolts after the driveshaft is off, undo the torque converter 3 bolts slide it in the transmission and had enough room to reach up and undue the six crankshaft bolts. Easy peasy.

And that’s exactly how every trans r&r goes….I would rather pull the motor and trans together than drop the trans

For the next time you have to do this, get a couple long 3/8 bolts, about 6 inches, take the two bottom bolts out, screw in the long bolts, take the rest of the bolts out and then you can slide the tans back on the long bolts. You can reach up with a ratchet and unbolt the gear from the crank. I use this method pretty much every time.

Dan, I think the flywheel with the weight goes to a 400 small block, the 400's were balanced externally, the 400 also has a different harmonic balancer. Good luck with everything, I enjoy your videos a lot.

Whenever I have to change a flexplate I use a couple of old long starter bolts that I keep in a corner of my tool box,( I don't recommend reusing them after doing this) I remove the distributor cap so it wont hit the firewall if I have to lower the jack a little, I remove everything just like I'm going to drop the transmission but I screw the long starter bolts into the bottom bolt hole on each side of the transmission, Then I just slide the transmission back on the bolts with the jack under it lowering the jack just a little to rock the engine back a little to gain clearance to slide it back and reach between the engine and trans to remove and replace the flexplate, It's a little tight to reach up between the engine and trans doing it that way but it's a good trade off to fighting a trans back into position with a floor jack and a 4 by 4 while laying on your back!