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[Ron Sebastian]

Trying to see what might be rattling underneath, I found the metal tube that protects the starter wires from the exhaust was not connected. Then I noticed the support bar that bolts to the bell housing was loose. The bolt has snapped and was just sitting there. Can't imagine how it stayed there. The rest of the threads are still in the hole. Not sure I can get in there to get it out. This truck is killing me

 

[Ricko1966]

Trying to see what might be rattling underneath, I found the metal tube that protects the starter wires from the exhaust was not connected. Then I noticed the support bar that bolts to the bell housing was loose. The bolt has snapped and was just sitting there. Can't imagine how it stayed there. The rest of the threads are still in the hole. Not sure I can get in there to get it out. This truck is killing me

Pic of the broken bolt and threads.

 

[75gmck25]

Are you talking about the bell housing bolt that holds the tube? If all the other bell housing bolts are tight it might not cause any problem, since it’s just a mechanical connection ;to the engine (no seal to keep in place).

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Here's a couple of pics. The broken bolt that was just dangling there and the pieces I have wired so they stop rattling, till I get to fix it.

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[Broken85]

Maybe you can get in there with a 90 degree drill and easy-out it??? Once broken free, I have never had to fight a bell housing bolt, so I think what’s left could come out without a fight.

For as much work as it is going to be to unscrew that mess, I also agree you can probably just leave it as is and probably be fine. The block studs are doing most of the work anyway, and the 3/8 bolts are only compressing the engine and trans together (of which you have 5 more).

More important is why it broke. Could just be a junk bolt used too many times, but check motor mounts and watch it while it is running and look for some kind of shake or rumble. If everything looks good, chalk it up to an overtightened junk bolt and let it ride. I can’t tell you how many motors I have pulled and found one or more bell housing bolts missing.

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Maybe you can get in there with a 90 degree drill and easy-out it??? Once broken free, I have never had to fight a bell housing bolt, so I think what’s left could come out without a fight.

For as much work as it is going to be to unscrew that mess, I also agree you can probably just leave it as is and probably be fine. The block studs are doing most of the work anyway, and the 3/8 bolts are only compressing the engine and trans together (of which you have 5 more).

More important is why it broke. Could just be a junk bolt used too many times, but check motor mounts and watch it while it is running and look for some kind of shake or rumble. If everything looks good, chalk it up to an overtightened junk bolt and let it ride. I can’t tell you how many motors I have pulled and found one or more bell housing bolts missing.

My only concern is the pretty substantial support bar that is not connected. I'll work on it though.

 

[Broken85]

My only concern is the pretty substantial support bar that is not connected. I'll work on it though.

Sorry, I don’t know how I missed that, I wasn’t tracking that this was a K truck. Yeah that rod that connects to the TC is important.

 

[Ricko1966]

That is going to be no fun at all. Not what I was hoping to see. I'd want a sharp bit at least 2 and I'd buy new ones they are sharpest. That being said this is a good opportunity to start your left hand drill bit collection. Buy a small left hand drill bit and center punch the broken bolt good to stop the bit from walking. 2nd bit should be finished size for your easy out look at your easy out fir diamensions( this gets skipped a lot and then it is,it didn't work) with any lomuck the left hand drill bit is going to bite as it gets deep and spin the faster out. If not at least you are drilled easy out sized. Put your new bits in storage with the ez out so they don't get mixed up with regular bits,or worn out before you need them again. All my taps are stored with the bit that was bought new for that tap and nothing else.

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Well, gave it a shot. Without a lift, and my hands and eyes just don't have it anymore. Tried drilling and extracting but wasn't able. Taking to a shop to tap out. Sorry guys, no winning here today.

 

[75gmck25]

The only reason I can think of for breaking one of those bolts is if someone was installing the engine and tried to use the bolts to draw the assembly together and get motor mounts to line up.

 

[Ricko1966]

Or a compromised bolt to begin with or just a little too tight and failed with heat expansion. Yes that happens guys. So next time you think factory specs aren't tight enough,sometimes it's to prevent fasteners breaking or threads pulling with expansion.