Idiot Mechanics!!!!!

retroedaddy

retroedaddy

Infidel
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Location
Bahama NC
I bought a 80's Model Monte Carlo SS that had been half converted over to a 5 speed.I ironed out all the problems with it I thought and I occasionally drive it.It's got a pretty well built 350 with the 5 speed trans and a 4.11 positive rear end.It's a lot of fun and will spin the 295/50/15's all the way through 3rd gear,but I have had a problem with the trans doing weird things.Mostly the bolts will work themselves out.The first time it happened I caught it early and put them back in assuming they were just loose.Then next time I tightened them again meaning to look it over better,but I forgot.SO this last time I babied it home which was extremely hard,only to find that I only had one bolt left when I got here.I pulled it out and figured out my issue.The bolts and bolt holes are coated with anti-seize.That can't be right can it?I would think the opposite,you would want lock tight,right?
 
Like bell housing bolts?
 
what is the bellhousing made of ? i have seen anti-sieze put on the bolts to stop cross-metal oxidation(there's a technical term for it but i won't pretend to know what it is).
i would loc-tite them, loc-tite can always be removed with a little heat is needed. i would rather have them in than out.
 
Yeah,well I tried to replace all the bolts tonight after an hour at the parts store searching the bins in the back by myself.Apparently there isn't room for them out on the sales floor anymore what with all the plastic non functional vents and LED lights for everything.Plus the people there don't know anything about the bolts so there were no help at all.Anyways got back home and tried to put them in but apparently them being loose has stripped all the holes out,they wouldn't get tight.Guess I need a bellhousing.
 
And I have no idea what bellhousing they used for the conversion,I wonder how bad it would be to weld it?So seriously though,I am open to ideas!!!!!
 
The bolts that hold the transmission to the bellhousing stripped the holes? If so, I'd try drilling and tapping the holes to a slightly larger size then install new bolts with some loc-tite.

Or buy another bellhousing.
 
I have honestly never tried the drilling tapping route although this time I think I might be game.The worst that can happen is I'll have to buy a new bellhousing anyways right?
 
transman731 said:
what is the bellhousing made of ? i have seen anti-sieze put on the bolts to stop cross-metal oxidation(there's a technical term for it but i won't pretend to know what it is).
i would loc-tite them, loc-tite can always be removed with a little heat is needed. i would rather have them in than out.
Click to expand...

Galvanic corrosion
 
Sounds like the PO thought putting anti-sieze might fill the gaps left by stripping out the holes. Either way, I'd pull the bellhousing and install heli-coils (Time-serts, whatever brand you choose.) You should have a local machine shop that can do this and keep things square. When installed correctly, a coiled hole in aluminum is much stronger than the original tapped aluminum. You're basically using a bigger bolt without using a bigger bolt.
 
Were the 2 alignment down pins there? they NEED to be there as they properly align the trans to block. The bolts simply provide clamping force.

I generally use 3/8-18 (course thread)x 1.25" Grade 8s. Is it possible you are using 1.5" long bolts? They will likely bottom out in the block and not actually tighten the transmission up. If so slip an extra washer in there or get the right size bolt. 1" is to short and won't have enough threads or will pull the threads out.

You say 'conversion' what transmission did they use? Many common 5 speeds came in trucks/camaros etc. That are direct swap in items. Possibly they used an aftermarket unit for safety reasons. (and didn't use the dowel pins?)

There have been suggestions that the holes stripped out but have you verified this? Even 1 or 2 isn't enough to cause your issues.

But you said 350 so I'm assuming cast iron block. I'd only ever seen them stripped from cross threading or someone impacting them on.
 
yager;735051 But you said 350 so I'm assuming cast iron block. I'd only ever seen them stripped from cross threading or someone impacting them on.[/QUOTE said:
this
Click to expand...
 
i have been in the tranny business for over 20 years and have never stripped a bell housing bolt on a cast iron block. i use my impact on every bell housing bolt and have never had an issue.
he is talking about the 4 bolts that hold the trans to the bellhousing, not the bellhousing to the block.(i believe)
i have seen the 4 bolts in the bellhousing strip. heli-coils work well for that. either way though you will have to pull the trans to fix it.
 
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