I have a '78 Big 10, (350 cubic in, auto transmission, Cheyenne) and last week decided to change the transmission fluid and filter. I don't have much in the way of a shop so slid under the truck and began the process of removing the pan etc. There were two bolts in the rear of the pan that were difficult to remove due to the proximity of a cross member but I finally got a socket that was narrow enough to get them out. It was then I realized that the pan was not going to come off! I read the Haynes manual for changing the fluid and it mentioned in some trucks you must support the engine and take off the cross member (there is another name for this piece but I don't recall). Before I proceed any further I would like to know if others have run into this issue and what they did to finally get the pan off. Without being able to take the pan off I'll not be able to replace the gasket since the clearance between the edge of the pan and the back of the transmission/front of the cross member will not allow me to set the gasket. Any help in this matter would be much appreciated.
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