The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 59 Apache Six Bellhousing Question? Experts?

My six cylinder is locked up tighter than..... well you know..... I am trying to remove the bellhousing. Engine is out but I can't turn the flywheel enough to remove the clutch housing bolts so then I tried taking the 4 bellhousing bolts out....top two,of course were easy but the inside ones won't back out as they hit the wheel. I am left with the conclusion that I can't remove the bellhousing from the block unless I pull the pan and start pulling the bottom end apart. Am I right or is there a hope? Thanks Ralph

Hy rasman57, You have to remove the clutch to get to the flywheel bolts, the flywheel must come off to get to all the bellhousing bolts. So if you absolutely can't turn the engine you have to do as you suggested and remove the pan and take the crank out from the bottom, hope that helps.

If your plan is to use this engine, then you'll eventually have to pull the pan, crank, etc. so why not just bite the bullet and do it now? But, if you just need the bellhousing off, how about backing the inside bolts out until they hit the flywheel, then cut them off with a cut-off wheel (leaving enough to get some channel-locks on the stud) then back them out again until they hit the flywheel, cut them again, etc. Voila! Bellhousing is off!

You may be able to ge two out that way, but I'll bet you can't get the other two. Another way to get the engine to turn over is to remove the head, spray the cylinder walls with Kroil or PB Blaster several days in a row and hit the pistons with a large diameter log and sledge to break it loose.

I wonder how you would get all six connecting rod caps off if you can't turn the crank. I'll cast my vote with Baldy. It will eventually loosen up and rotate with enough penetrant and leverage.

Stuart

Well I started pullin it apart, and was lucky to get all the connecting rod caps off as well as the mains. What has be scratchin my bald head now is the harmonic balancer. Service Manual shows a couple different tools but both are the center bolt leverage against two screwed in bolts. The front of my balancer has two holes but they are not threaded..... what gives? I must be missing something here?

Okay never mind....The bottom of the hole was packed with clay and harder than rock. I poked in there with a very sharp small punch and discovered threads in the back of the balancer...Wow.

Can you not reach in the bellhousing to loosen the clutch bolts, then the flywheel, then the bell housing bolts?