removing bell housing bolts

I’m attempting to R&R the clutch/pressure plate package on a 91 2wd short bed. The truck’s supported on jack stands. The tranny’s free except for the top two bell housing bolts. Working over the fender I was able to loosen the passenger side bolt but I’m not able to get a wrench on the driver side bolt. The Haynes manual does not point to a special procedure to remove these two bolts. And once out, getting them back in seems near impossible. What am I missing? I’m considering cutting two access holes thru the firewall.

I am not actually familiar with your application but on other vehicles, I have found that lowering the tailshaft too soon closes this gap and causes the problem you describe. Perhaps this is the case here? ???

Several loong extensions and a flex joint on the socket works just fine.

Exactly what any tranny guy uses, no "special" tools.

thanks for the reply. I ended up cutting two 1 inch access holes thru the firewall.

Well that's an extreme way of doing it :grinyes:

I just yanked my G54 tranny last night to swap in a W56, extensions worked for me.

thanks for the reply. I ended up cutting two 1 inch access holes thru the firewall.

I did the same thing on my 86 except I cut a star patern and welded them when I was done. All is good now

WOW! You guys are serious. I hope you put some anti-seize lube on the bolts when you put it all back together. I had the same difficulty (though didn't cut through my chassis, just used brute force and multiple u-joints on my tools) when I replaced my '87 clutch the first time, and the second time it came apart very easily because of the lube.