So it took me two terrible days to wrestle my 700r4 out of my 87 trans am, mainly the top two bellhousing bolts. As I am inspecting everything it occurred to me that the crossmember is holding the transmission in the same way those bolts are. So my idea is to cut the heads off of the top bolts and use them more like pins... Is this a terrible idea? Anyone done anything similar?

 

That means you only have 4 bolts and the side dowels holding the transmission to the engine. The bellhousing is weak enough as it is. Using all the mounting bolts to hold it firmly is recommended.

 

Those bolts are not hard to get too. Remove the trans crossmember and lower the trans a little being careful not to break the dizzy cap on the firewall. Use a couple long extensions and they are cake to get too.

 

This ^^^^ bunch a long extensions and mabey a swivel for the one on driver side that's a bitch

 

Yes Sir a bunch of extensions and a swivel will do the job.

 

Don't screw with something that important if it works as designed.

I've had bellhousing bolts loosen and the snout half broken off off the converter in an otherwise healthy trans.

 

Arp sells studs as well. May work better for you.

 

Anyone tried cutting a small access hatch into the tunnel so the bolt can be reached that way. Then cover it with a panel and gasket. If you're only going to do it once then to too useful but if you'll be monkeying with the engine/trans a lot it may be worth it.

 

What's even EEEEEZIER, is to just stand next to the car, and reach down in there with a short box/open-end combo wrench.

They're the EEEEEEEZIEST ones on the car to get to. Don't have to jack the car up, lay on the floor, or anything.

 

Sofa is right, you are making this more difficult than it needs to be.

 

I have never seen so many people work so hard at trying to make a simple job hard as some people on this forum. (well other than D.C.)

 

No doubt. Guys on fb are defending "fuel pump access doors everyday"

removing carpet and hvac parts, cutting a hole, go to hardware store get piece of metal, screws, permatex, trim metal to make a patch, hope the hole was in the right spot, and then putting it all back together after?

Yeah, that's easyier!

Heck, if it's a pain just pull the hood off so you can comfertably get to the bolts from the top.