1986 740T M46, J-type o/d
I stumbled on to a way to install the top bellhousing bolt with a minimal amount of blood and profanity.
I had all the other bellhousing bolts installed (starter - 2, bottom pan - 2, others - 3). I had tried to install the **** thing from the top - forget it - too many wires and a/c tubing. I tried the "extension thru the shifter hole" approach solo - nobody to guide the socket - not gonna happen.
I was laying under the car on my creeper contemplating what I would like to do to some anonymous Swedish auto engineer - my feet sticking out under the front bumper. I found that I could get both arms around the bellhousing so I could get to the bolt with either hand. Em, grabbed a 19 mm 12pt offset box end wrench in the left hand and the bolt in the right. I could finger tighten the bolt with my right (new bolt). I could position the box end on the bolt with my left - using my right to keep the box on the bolt head. Surprise, surprise - I had over 90 degrees of free swing with the wrench to tighten the bolt. I found that I had pretty decent leverage to apply some good torque as well.
The bolt's in and tight (it's there for some reason).
hth,
JimG
I stumbled on to a way to install the top bellhousing bolt with a minimal amount of blood and profanity.
I had all the other bellhousing bolts installed (starter - 2, bottom pan - 2, others - 3). I had tried to install the **** thing from the top - forget it - too many wires and a/c tubing. I tried the "extension thru the shifter hole" approach solo - nobody to guide the socket - not gonna happen.
I was laying under the car on my creeper contemplating what I would like to do to some anonymous Swedish auto engineer - my feet sticking out under the front bumper. I found that I could get both arms around the bellhousing so I could get to the bolt with either hand. Em, grabbed a 19 mm 12pt offset box end wrench in the left hand and the bolt in the right. I could finger tighten the bolt with my right (new bolt). I could position the box end on the bolt with my left - using my right to keep the box on the bolt head. Surprise, surprise - I had over 90 degrees of free swing with the wrench to tighten the bolt. I found that I had pretty decent leverage to apply some good torque as well.
The bolt's in and tight (it's there for some reason).
hth,
JimG