I am needing to change the clutch in my 1998 camero (manual transmition) and my question is can I pull the transmition by removing the 4 rear transmition bolts connecting it to the bell housing, remove the transmition body and be able to get to the bell housing bolts sucessfully?

You can generally reach AND undo the bellhousing bolts from the top using a small, long, 9/16" boxend wrench if you want to get them from the top. Then slip under her and remove the two along each side using a ratchet and extension. Or the same wrench..

AND fwiw, I would love to have the 409 "W" motors aluminum bellhousing that is bottomless so I could drop everything out the bottom like the old, half/bottomless cast-iron b/h's were early on.. They were supported from the b/h sides and the front of the motor with four mounts with the tranny hung right out in space with NO mount under it!!

He, he!! 4 nuts and 4 bolts AND some cotter-keys and the tranny was out in like 10 minutes if you were quick!!

pdq67

Take the trans out first, then the bell. Be sure to support the engine with a jack and a 2x4 under the oil pan. If you have a hurst with a bolton shifter, you can take the stick off from up top and the rest can stay on the trans. The crossmember is usually a bear, kick it till it comes off.

I'm sorry, Jim is right b/c I got off track!

I just figured you had the tranny ready to drop with the cross member beat out/removed... And were only asking about how to remove the b/h...

pdq67

If you have a 98 CAMARO, first unhook the battery. You have to remove the shift boot and console so that you can remove the shifter from the top of the trans. Make sure that the trans is in first gear before you take the shifter out (you'll find out why later). Put a clean rag in the hole or duct tape over it. Use a 2x6 under the oil pan and put the jack up to the bottom of the pan. Remove the two bolts that hold the clutch slave cylinder and wire it up to the frame out of the way. Remove the trans mount bolts, pump the jack once or twice. Remove the crossmember. On the 4th Gen cars it just drops down. Now, you need to lower the motor slightly to be able to reach up to remove the top two bellhousing bolts (There are six bellhousing bolts). Place a trans jack under the tranny and raise it until you have contact. Strap the trans to the jack then you can remove the bell housing bolts and slide the trans back. Don't forget to unplug the skip shift. The T56's are very heavy so be careful. It will hurt you and I suggest you have an assistant for this job. Once you have it out you can remove the pressure plate and clutch plate. Inspect the flywheel for signs of excessive wear and replace if necessary. Now you can reverse everything for assembly. When you install the clutch and pressure plate make sure you use the installation tool that comes in the box or use a clutch installation tool. Make sure you torque all bolts to factory specs. When you put the trans in make sure it is parallel to the motor and it should slide right in. If it does not seat imediately you can turn the tailshaft while applying forward pressure it should pop in. If not double check your horizontal alignment between the engine and trans and adjust with the jacks. Try again. If it does not go all the way in you have to puul the whole thing back and check the clutch disc with the alignment tool. Make sure it is dead center in the pressure plate. If it is try again. Under no circumstance do you ever use the bell housing bolts to pull it in. If everything is aligned properly, it will go in. I would highly suggest replacing the rear main seal while you have the trans out especially if the car has high mileage. Good luck and have fun.

98? lol, don't know why I'd assume a firstgen...

And I made two long headless bolts that I keep in my tool box just for holding the tranny in place after it's put up in the hole so I can catch my breath (WITH the help of a Buddy nowadays b/c I'm too old to press one up in there by myself)...

Just put them on one side, one above the other hand tight. Makes the job a whole lot easier.

Also buy a little plastic clutch plate alignment tool or hopefully it will come in your kit?

Perfection/Zoom has one in their kits, at least mine did..

pdq67