The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 318 Detroit transmission question

I've been looking at a truck with a 318DD and 13 speed. Apparently the bolts mounting the trans to engine worked loose at some time and were replace with Caterpillar bolts. All I know is they had a fine thread. The bolts were installed with thread locker but have come loose after a couple of years. The mounting holes in the block would need repair (weld and tap or heli coil) if that is possible. I'm sure the trans would have to be dropped to do this. How much work would this entail and would it be worth it to even try? Any thoughts would be very helpful.

Kermit

Hy kwf, the part that the transmission mounts to is actually a housing separate from the engine block, these housings came with different s.a.e. opening sizes, different engine mount bracket locations, and in iron and aluminum. So repair or replace will depend on what you have, and availabilty of a good condition replacement. Replacing the gear housing is not actually an easy job, as the engine oil pan must be removed, as the housing forms the rearmost section of the pan rail, hope that helps.

Like 3B says, replace or repair are both options, your situation will help determine which is the best option.

If helicoils will repair the threads which I think were originally 3/8-16 I'd probably try that first, less effort.
But if the flywheel housing is trashed I would have no problems replacing it, they are easy to find.

Grigg

Thanks to you both. The info helped alot. I'll go back and take another look at it. The person I talked to about it drove it but is not the owner. Maybe I can get some more info from him. Thanks again.

Kermit