I'm about to start installation of my flywheel, clutch, bellhousing, etc.

It looks like I'll need to hang the T5 inspection cover over the snout of the starter before installing the flywheel. It that correct? Inspection cover slips between the block and the flywheel?

It looks like, once everything is installed it would be impossible to remove the inspection cover without removing the starter.

Am I missing something?

Seems like a stupid design. Thinking about snipping the cover where is runs above the starter so it could be removed without having to take out the starter.

Any thoughts on the topic ?

 

It's not really an " inspection" cover... mostly just a cover. Not much to "inspect".

That said, there's no reason not to do that, if you want.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I have some experience with the problem you are having. When I installed the cover on mine, the engine and transmission were both already in the car, so no, you do not necessarily have to install it before installing the flywheel unless your starter is already bolted to the engine. If it is, it will be easier to just unbolt it.
Also, depending on the length of the bolts you have for the cover you may have to uninstall the oil filter to get them started.
One last thing that may help you...initially installing two of the cover bolts from the backside of the bellhousing may help with lining up all of the holes.

 

On my ‘88, The inspection cover went between the starter and the bell housing. I know, because the cover was missing, and it was a couple of weeks after the transmission was installed before I had a cover to install. The starter has to be temporarily removed to install the cover. BTW, if this is a T5 swap from an automatic, T5 starters are not the same size as the ones used for automatic cars...they are slightly smaller, and you’ll discover the inspection cover won’t fit, and the starter snout won’t fit into the bell housing. Learned that the hard way when I did mine.