Hey everyone! So I finally got the engine to line up with the transmission for the re-install. I have a couple questions.

1) I only have 12 of the 14 bolts (4 short, 6 medium, 2 long). How vital is it that I get replacement bolts for those 2 missing medium bolts?
2) where is the electrical harness supposed to come out from behind the engine? Above or below? I’m trying to wiggle it out but there are some electrical connections at the back that I’m not sure where they connect to.
3) Which step should be next (aside from the 4 small bolts from the transmission to the flex plate)?
thanks for the read and your time!

 

I alway work on the basic principle it wouldn't have 14 bolt holes it it didn't need then all , ie, VW beetles only have 5 bolt holding all together

 

)1) Yes, replace the missing bolts.

2) Two of the bolts, one on each side - second from the top, will secure the wiring harness brackets to the bell-housing (which runs across the top of bell-housing). They are probably the most difficult to reach, but they are important. Your harness will rub and cause more problems down the road. Plus, they hold the 02 sensor plugs in place.

3) Just be sure that the torque converter spins freely, but and while you are tighten all of the bolts. Once the bell-housing is secured...then go after the four torque converter bolts. Just be sure that the torque converter turns freely, as you draw it up tight...or you will ruin the front pump on trans.

Brian.

 

yeah I’ll find the replacements. Any idea who sells them? I’ll be checking that the torque converter spins freely when I attempt to put those bolts in. Unfortunately, I already put the motor mounts in and I already placed the top 4 bolts in without attaching any harness to them.

To give an idea of which bolts are already in, it’s 7, 9, 13, 14, 12, 10. I left 8, 11 empty since I don’t have them.

 

Make sure the wire looms on the harness's are in good shape, even put another piece or a split rubber hose over them.
All you're doing is preventing any holes from being worn in the loom or wiring itself from vibration.
I wouldn't waste time trying to get brackets on them and bolted in place.
The top 4 bolts are a big enough pain in the ***, as I'm sure you know.
As for the 2 missing bolts.
Should they be in there? Ideally, yes.
But, if they aren't, the transmission isn't going to fall off.
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

okay I’ll check the wiring harnesses. I already had to RE-drop the engine after I noticed I forgot the grounding strap. I wouldn’t want to go through all of that all over again haha yeah I’ll try to find replacement bolts. I gotta find the part number for them. I’ll keep everyone updated on the engine progress. I think the most frustrating part is over

 

Hey everyone, so I paused on the bellhousing bolts because 2 of them are extremely difficult to get in on the drivers side. The passenger side went flush pretty easily and the ones I’m working on require a lot of force. Is this normal?
in the meantime I got the torque converter bolts in and placed the oil pan back. The crank still rotates.

This bolt is extremely hard to get in. Requires a lot of force. Granted I’m working in 1/8 turns at an odd angle

 

Are the other bolts tight?
If they are, loosen them til they are all just snug.
That can help the bolt thread easier.
A little penatrating oil helps too.

 

yes, all the upper ones are snug. Yeah I should back it out and use some fluid of some sort. Maybe graphite. But the bolt right below it wasn’t too difficult to get in. I’m not sure if it’s the threads of the bolt or if the tranny isn’t lined up precisely.

 

OK so I would take them out and re-tape the hole to make sure the threads are not damaged,