dropped TC bolt into bell housing........help?

[Jim Ross]

A couple of days ago, my installer was completing the install of a new DunRite torque converter/flex plate. Near the end of the job (99% done) he dropped the 6th (final) torque converter bolt down into the bell housing. We tried for 2-3 hours to locate it and fish it out using a flexible shaft with a magnet and we also tried to move it around with compressed air, but we are stuck. We can't see it or feel it. We think we will have to pull the transmission to get it out.

He's going to try to borrow a flexible bore scope tomorrow, but even if we can see it, that doesn't mean we will be able to reach it or extract it.

Any ideas?

 

[jgillott]

I had a very similar thing happen to me once when installing a clutch. As much as you don't want to face the extra work, the only way to know for sure that it isn't going to end up getting caught up in something and cause additional damage, is to disassemble until you locate the bolt and remove it.

 

[Jim Ross]

I just got off the phone with my installer and he pulled the transmission, got the bolt and has most of it put back together. He told me he found the bolt laying on a ledge on the back of the engine block. I can't believe he did all the work by himself today. What a worker! He turns 79 yrs old tomorrow.

 

[jgillott]

Excellent news. .

 

[Jim Ross]

Yes, it is. I just hate the idea of this fellow working alone in his shop and what could happen if he had an accident. I'm glad it seems to have gone off OK without him getting hurt. Have to admit, I would have probably done the same thing. Not always the smartest thing to do, but that's how a lot of us are... .

 

[jgillott]

Yea, I'm the same way. I can't stand not to have a job go perfect if I'm working on my own trucks and I am much more uptight when it is a vehicle that isn't mine. I would have worked on it all day like he did.

 

[MLee]

Patts on the back of the older gentelman for his -GO GET-EM- attitued. This takes fortitued.

 

[Jim Ross]

I agree and I hope to be as spry and capable when (if) I reach that age.

 

[hbowers]

I confess, I dropped the bolt. I suggest using a socket w/ a magnet in it to start them 6 bolts in tc thru the hole in bell housing.
I'll try to post pics.