Engine removal; bellhousing bolts

[geardad]

Having trouble removing some of the bolts on my engine bellhousing - there doesn't seem to be any way to reach them - has anyone done this before on a 1990 Bronco? If so, please let me know asap - I need to take this engine to school by Monday night. thanks!

[nobody2]

I pulled my transmission out about 2 months ago, I was able to get them off with a couple extensions (12") each and a swivel knuckle(not sure what's it called, like a ujoint adapter) before the socket bit. I found to get the top passenger side bell housing bolt it worked better to have my father come in from over the passenger fender and help hold the socket on the bolt head. They were tight until you turned them about a quarter turn than they came right out. I was under neath the tranny with a 1/2" drive ratchet. It was a 1990 bronco II with the 2.9 V6.

[Truck]

Are these the bolts holding the transmission Bellhousing to the rear of the engine block? do you mean the two up on top? (If so, you have to pull the carpet back, and take the plate out from the inside.)

[nobody2]

yah the 2 bolts on top are actually reachable with about 3 feet of extensions and a swivel adapter to your socket bit. I removed all the bolts from the bell housing to the block from the ground underneath the transmission. but like I said I had my dad coming in from the fire wall side under the hood and holding the socket on the bolt on the top passenger side so it wouldn't slide off the bolt head.

[Truck]

Yeah, there's an access plate in the cab. Next time, it will be much easier to just take the 10 mins and get under the carpet. You need to use "black sealant" to make sure you don't get any moisture up from the road, but in the long run, you'll see how much easier it is to do those bolts when sitting in the passenger seat!

(Glad to hear your project is going well.)

[nobody2]

yah actually it's a standard so I had the plate off but the bolts were tight so I felt saver under neath where my wrists wouldnt't hit the sides of the floor where the cut out is when the bolt let go, of if the socket slipped off. thanks Actually the bronco I pulled the manual transmission out of is a 84 I think, I'm installing it in a 1990 bronco II that has a blown automatic transmission. I'm hoping that the conversion is going to go well, just waiting for warmer weather before I get back in the uninsulated garage.

[Truck]

3 feet of extensions cures that, as well. (i have removed them from underneath, as well, but assembling is definitely easier the other way.)