shanewbenson

Ok so it's time to switch out my 700r4 in my 92 305 TBI with a manual transmission. I have all the bolts out except for the middle bell housing bolts on the left and right (The ones that sit down in the holes). Does anyone know the size of these bolts or how to remove them? All the sockets i have tried to use are either to big to fit down in the hole and the ones that do fit dont grab onto the bolt head. Please help.

ttypecamaro

iTrader: (2)

they're 9/16" hex head, with 3/8-16 threads.

I made a tiny dent in the firewall with a screwdriver right at the center of those two bolt heads. Then went inside the car, pulled the carpet up a little, and drilled 1 inch holes in the firewall right over the middle bellhousing bolts on each side. Its really easy to get them out now. I call it the "quick-change tranny mod."

AlkyIROC

Bellhousing bolts are 3/8" NC should use a 9/16 socket or wrench.

I did pull a 700R4 out of a pickup truck that used metric bolts/studs and I needed a 13mm socket to take the nut off the stud.

Third gen bellhousing bolts are difficult to access. I use a swivel socket most of the time to access those upper bolts. Once the tranny is out, a really big hammer can dent the firewall to make access a little easier. Eventually my car will have a removable tranny tunnel to make access even easier.

shanewbenson

thanks for all the quick replies. I was able to drop the transmission out last night. the only issue now is one torque converter bolt is really messed up and i cant get it out. its rounded. any ideas? As of now tranny is out but torque converter is stuck to my engine.

ttypecamaro

iTrader: (2)

got a gator grip?

Sears sells sockets that bite into bolt heads that are rounded... like $20 a set.

shanewbenson

I tried the sears things and they just made it worse. this bolt is very messed up now. I'm not sure what a gator grip is

ttypecamaro

iTrader: (2)

a gator grip may not work at this point.

http://www.endeavortool.com/

you could try grinding the head of the bolt off.

shanewbenson

OK say i'm able to cut the head of the bolt off, will the torque converter then come right off or will the threads still hold it in place?

ttypecamaro

iTrader: (2)

It'll fall right off... If you don't get the whole head off it will seem like it doesn't want to come off. At that point you can pry it apart or grind some more. You'll have the torque converter off, but then you'll need tyo remove the cut-off bolt from the converter if you are re-using it.