PESKY transmission to engine gasket

[big_P]

I think mine was bent somehow. I had to remove my trans to get it worked on by Cliff, and when I put it back on I get a tinny rattling noise. The back of the flywheel is nice and scratched

I'm not removing the transmission again. I don't have the proper tools and it's not fun doing it solo. I Figure that if I can remove all the bolts, back the trans off the engine an inch or so so it's still in line, and then just cut the sucker off. Will I be OK without one?

[Mike M]

The upper or lower one? I'm pretty sure you can get the bottom one out quite easily... take off 2 bellhousing bolts, and the small 10mm bolt, then wiggle it out. The top one might be a different story, I can't really recall because I don't think I have ever put one back on... haha. (Just remembered...) I think the top one has a 10mm bolt inside the bellhousing, if you put it back on properly you probably couldn't get it out without getting real fancy.

The last time I put the engine back my 87 I put the shield back on (just the bottom one, I think) it was banging real loud, real annoying... we just got a prybar/screwdriver in there somehow and bent it back... I can't totally recall. I doubt I'll ever use one of those shields again

I'm sure it just stops rocks/dust/debris from getting into the bellhousing area... as long as you don't do excessive gravel/offroad driving I'd think you'll be ok, unless someone else has a horror story they'd like to share.

[big_P]

the bottom one is already off...stupid sheet metal! that'll be my weekend project

[Mike M]

If the bottom one is off try peeking up and seeing if you can see where the top one is bent, you might be able to rig something up to pry it back where it should be.

[big_P]

Good Idea, Mike. I'd rather not pull the axles unless I absolutely had to