How to put on tranny bellhousing?

[BLOHS7844]

I noticed I was missing a transmission bolt (to the right of the starter bolts when looking from the passenger side) and its making my starter grind horribly. I'm trying to install a bolt but im having issues because there not 100% aligned. I have maybe 10mm to go and I'm having to crank it pretty hard to get it to move. I have a jack under the tranny (with a pad to protect it) but I was wondering if there was some trick to getting it aligned. Thanks in advance

 

[95'RS-T]

Sounds like your tranmission backing plate is not lined up. Can you get pics? Your thread title is a bit confusing, after reading your post.

 

[BLOHS7844]

I noticed one of my transmission bolts that bolt the housing to the block was missing so I'm putting a new one in. The fact that a bolt is missing means that it isn't 100% lined up. Because of this, its making my starter grind against the flywheel. I screwed in a new bolt and used a rachet and went as far as I could but since the engine and the transmission aren't 100% lined up, its putting a lot of stress on that bolt so it can't go all the way in.

I'm wondering how I can get this aligned enough so I can get the bolt in. Is that a little more clear?

 

[LiquidX]

Do you still have the 2 alignment dowels?

I suggest you check and if you don't you need to get them.

 

[BLOHS7844]

Would you be able to see the alignment dowels with the transmission installed?

I haven 't ever removed the transmission.

 

[95'RS-T]

I agree check the alignment dowels. I know on my fwd trans there's an extra hole for a bolt, but no bolt goes there when installed.

Here's a pic. See the 2 holes right after the starter?

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[BLOHS7844]

Its one of the 2 bolts that are to the left of the starter bolts in this pic. I can't remember which exactly. Also my starter bolts were loose before and that cause it to grind. I fixed that and it stopped grinding for a bit. Now it started up again but starter bolts are good.

Still looking for the location of the dowel near the front of the car. Would I be able to see it from under the car?

 

[95'RS-T]

Wow that bell housing is different then mine. I thought all the 2g fwd transmissions were the same. Edit: after looking at some pics on google it appears that is a pic of a awd trans.

 

[BLOHS7844]

how would I check to see if the dowel pin is there?

 

[bryanwheat]

The front bottom and rear bolts go thru the dowels. If the dowels are in place and all bolts but one are in than the transmission will be lined up perfectly fine. Verify that the dowels are in place and that the rear bolt is in place also.

 

[95'RS-T]

You should be able to see that dowel from under the car IIRC. I'll be installing my trans tomorrow I'll take some pics.

 

[BLOHS7844]

ok thanks guys

Do you have any explanation as to why both my starter bolts were loose and the fact that I'm missing a tranny bolt?

Lets say I have every bolt in but one, and the dowels are in, but its still not lining up. What are some possible explanations?

 

[LiquidX]

Do you have any explanation as to why both my starter bolts were loose and the fact that I'm missing a tranny bolt?

Not torqued properly and vibrations loosening them.


How about a picture to show your dilemma?

 

[95'RS-T]

Well I'm not sure why the starter bolts would be loose, unless someone replaced the starter and forgot to tighten then all the way. If everything is lined up and your missing one bolt I don't really see any problems. As for the trans are you doing a awd swap? The starter could be grinding because it might not be the right starter flywheel combo.

 

[luv2rallye]

Maybe you incorrectly have an awd starter plate instead of a fwd one (causes starter grinding)?

Here's where your dowel pins are:

 

[BLOHS7844]

I just replaced the head gasket/did timing/etc and when I went to start it, it made some horrible grinding and crashing noises.

This is the same starter/trans/engine thats always been on it. Never touched any of them.

I don't think a pic would help really. Theres nothing really to see. If you look at my pic, only the 2nd bolt from the left of the start bolts is missing that I know of. Its real tough to check the ones on the back of the trans.

No awd swap or anything like that

And don't necessarily over think this. I have been known to make really stupid mistakes because this is my first car that I've really worked on.