Quote Originally Posted by R Pope
A cracked flex plate is about the only thing that sounds like the hammers of Hell without going Boom in a hurry. It's hard to see the crack without disconnecting the converter and sliding it back a ways. With the right wrench, you can change one without pulling the transmission. Loosen the bell bolts and pry the trans back a bit for more room. Maybe get a kid with small hands to help!
I have done this myself and it saves a lot of lifting and lineing back up. Remove the dr shaft remove the trans to crossmember bolt (s). Put a jack under the trans pan with a block of wood or somthing so you don't dent the pan. Remove inspection cover,remove the 3 flexplate to converter bolts, remove all trans to engine bolts in the second bolt holes up place a 3/8"x 4" bolt you don't have to tighten it all the way but better if you do. Remove the linkage speedometer cable and you should be able to PRY/ SLIDE the trans back far enough R & R the flex plate. then just slide the trans back on the long bolts replace the others and finish up. It is easier than pulling the trans when working on the ground.