Re-installing the tranny tonight with the new clutch, i was relying on the torque wrench for when to stop tightning, and ended up snapping the lowest bellhousing bolt on the passengar side. 350/t-5. Others all went in fine. I do not want to pull the tranny agian to get that bolt out. Will it be ok to leave it like this, with 5 out of 6 bolts in? I've seen cars driving fine with more then one bolt missing. Or is there a way to get the remaining half of hte bolt off without pulling the tranny agian?

Thanks

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82 T/A 305/TH350; soon to be 350/T-5

 

You'd probably be fine to leave it like it is on a high-up bolt, but considering the lower bolts are the main clamping force on the engine/tranny combo, I'd try and get it out. Unfortunately, I cannot reccomemnd a procedure to do so.

That broken bottom bolt is putting alot of stress on the next highest bolt, and you know how thin the bellhousing and block are up there.

 

It depends on how the bolt is broken, but you might be able to remove it with a screwdriver. There may be a rough edge sticking up, and if you can get that to turn you can get it out. If its far enough out and you have a dremel or similar, you can cut a groove into the end and turn it that way.

 

CFabe,

Better off to remove and replace it now than to pay someone to do it after the trans starts to separate.

If you have an angle-head drill and a left-handed bit, you might get lucky.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thanks for the ideas.

It looks like the bolt is broken just about even with the engien block. Maybe its time to invest in a set of easy-outs?

 

Maybe. Be careful though, they do break and that can be a nightmare. I think thats not a blind hole tho, so you might be able to tap it out from the other side if it does snap off.
Good luck.

 

Even if it is the lower bolt, I don't think I'd lose too much sleep about it not being there. The other five should hold it just fine. I've had cars come in to the shop before missing like two or three bolts, and the other bolts just barely more than finger tight. If you do decide to try to get it out, it shouldn't be too hard. Since it broke while installing it, it shouldn't be seized or frozen. Just use a drill bit with lots of shots of WD-40 while drilling, then E-Z out it. Also, use a center punch first to dimple the bolt where you're going to drill it.

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89RS w/350 TPI; 69RS/SS w/450 HP 350/Muncie 4-Speed "Too weird to live, too rare to die."

 

In actuality, the bolts only job is to keep the trans mated to the block. All tortional loads are placed on the dowels.