How in the world did that happen!
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 335
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From: Salisbury NC
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 3.4 Liter
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: stock
How in the world did that happen!
About 2 weeks ago I was leaving softball practice and hear a thump and heard grinding. So I got the car towed back to the house and set it up on jack stands and let it sit until now. I was just pissed and went out and just brought me another car to use for a daily driver. Anyway I get under the car today to pull the tranny thinking it was the clutch and guess what I found.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,615
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From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Sheared metal, which part is that? I can't really tell from that close of a pic with no reference points...but yeah, that can't be good,lol.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 116
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From: Grande Prairie, Ab
Car: 1987 Z28 / 1988 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 LG4 / 305 LB9
Transmission: T5 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.08
Re: How in the world did that happen!
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Marengo,IA
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L out of a 89 camaro
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: ?
Re: How in the world did that happen!
cracked bellhousing ouch. time to find a new one. might as well pull the tranny now and take it off. check the engine /tranny mounts also.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 5
From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Yeah, that's what my guess is too, just not really enough to tell for sure though.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 5
From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: How in the world did that happen!
I can't think of anything that could do that other than extremely high stress on it, or a power tool, maybe ran out of transmission fluid and it burned up? Or do you have some serious engine mods? Anything under 300 hp it should handle...
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: How in the world did that happen!
If your V6 can bust a tranny bellhousing like that, I'll trade you straight for my 350 TPI! 

Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 5
From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Hey, once I finish building it mine just might :P I know it will once I get to the turbocharging stage, but that is like 5-10 years down the road, I'm building it up N/A then going to focus on everything else the car needs, or that I want on it, then after it's a pristine beauty "it's turbo time!" (anyone get that reference from that corny Christmas movie?)
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, California
Car: Trailblazer EXT 4.2 (Firebird Form)
Engine: 5.1 4bbl
Transmission: 700R4 Mega Raptor Level 4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: How in the world did that happen!
that looks like the tranny...
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Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 335
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From: Salisbury NC
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 3.4 Liter
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Can't figure out for the world why it happened though. All bolts were tight and used a torgue wrench when assembling so it was to specs.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 200
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From: Muncie, Indiana
Car: 1983 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 2.8L, hopefully upgrading..
Transmission: BorgWarner T5, Made here in Muncie
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: How in the world did that happen!
I actually have a spare (used) bellhousing for the t5. Not sure what it would be to ship it to you though
I did the same thing to mine but ended up just getting it tig welded. Busted a tranny mount and it weakened it really bad then shifting too hard tore it.
I did the same thing to mine but ended up just getting it tig welded. Busted a tranny mount and it weakened it really bad then shifting too hard tore it.
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Posts: 7,240
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From: LeRoy, NY
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Nope no major mods just a 3.4 swap. Took the bellhousing off and I now have a 2 piece bellhousing. She was running pretty strong though when it happened. LOL!
Can't figure out for the world why it happened though. All bolts were tight and used a torgue wrench when assembling so it was to specs.

Can't figure out for the world why it happened though. All bolts were tight and used a torgue wrench when assembling so it was to specs.

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From: Utah
Car: 89 RS 89 iroc 87 firebird
Engine: 3.1 Turbo/ 355 twin turbo
Transmission: a4 w/ 4500 stall/ a4 / t5
Axle/Gears: strange s60 /w 3:42's
Re: How in the world did that happen!
heh this thread reminds me of my reaction when i did this

the first time i broke the flex plate i wwas like wtf the second time i was like no way not again, after that i reinforced the center section around the crank bolts and havent broke one since
quess the flex plate just dosent like high hp v6's lol

the first time i broke the flex plate i wwas like wtf the second time i was like no way not again, after that i reinforced the center section around the crank bolts and havent broke one since
quess the flex plate just dosent like high hp v6's lol
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, California
Car: Trailblazer EXT 4.2 (Firebird Form)
Engine: 5.1 4bbl
Transmission: 700R4 Mega Raptor Level 4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: How in the world did that happen!
heh this thread reminds me of my reaction when i did this

the first time i broke the flex plate i wwas like wtf the second time i was like no way not again, after that i reinforced the center section around the crank bolts and havent broke one since
quess the flex plate just dosent like high hp v6's lol

the first time i broke the flex plate i wwas like wtf the second time i was like no way not again, after that i reinforced the center section around the crank bolts and havent broke one since
quess the flex plate just dosent like high hp v6's lol
... that to me looks like a flywheel... well now I know... flywheel is to clutch as flexplate is to Converter Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 5
From: PA
Car: 1996 Camaro, 1985 Camaro
Engine: 3.8, 3.4
Transmission: WC T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23(?), 3.42
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Project where did you get a new flexplate, for that matter does anyone make aftermarket ones that you know of?
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,401
Likes: 5
From: Utah
Car: 89 RS 89 iroc 87 firebird
Engine: 3.1 Turbo/ 355 twin turbo
Transmission: a4 w/ 4500 stall/ a4 / t5
Axle/Gears: strange s60 /w 3:42's
Re: How in the world did that happen!
i looked for a spec certified aftermarket flex plate a while back and couldnt turn anything up, dont kow if there are any aftermarket pieces available.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Carson City Nevada
Car: 86 coupe
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27 posi
Re: How in the world did that happen!
jegs has a balanced SFI approved one for the same price. could this be a starter clearance or torque converter balance issue? the engine and tranny mounts are definitely suspect
Last edited by SLEEPER 86; Mar 28, 2010 at 12:47 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Carson City Nevada
Car: 86 coupe
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27 posi
Re: How in the world did that happen!
derickab, dod you check your pilot bushing? also, it appears to be on the driver's side where you had your problem. bracing the clutch pivot arm helped that in older camaros.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury NC
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 3.4 Liter
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: How in the world did that happen!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury NC
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 3.4 Liter
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: stock
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