I got my rebuilt C4 Tranny to put back on to my 302 today. While waiting months on it, I got impatient and started engine assembly before I should have. I put the Flex Plate on with ARP thread locked bolts. Now I see the bell housing spacer plate should have gone on first (YDS). The ARP bolts aren't budging. Anyone ever try cutting the spacer plate in 1/2 then putting it on around the flexplate? It doesn't appear to be much more than a dust cover and I could even weld on some tabs to keep the 2 sides aligned.
The spacer plate aligns your ' starter ' .. I wouldn't suggest allowing that plate to "MOVE " ANY !! I'd continue to work with the bolts until they're loosed and then install the spacer plate .. Easy does it with the wrenches .. They should come loose eventually .. Cometized (Chip )
The loctite packet advises that the bolts can be loosened only after " Heating " them up to 500 degrees .. If you heat them up to this temperature .. I'd wait until they are completely "cooled " T H E N try loosening them gently.. Hope everything works out for you .. ( pun intended ) Cometized (Chip)
Well if you don't mind cutting, removing the section just below the crankshaft so it will slip in place isn't going to cause any issues... Assuming steel, reweld and the bottom cover will hide any scars... Cutting it in half is also a option, the bell bolts and block dowels would keep it aligned... Unless you also plan on replacing rear main seal, I don't like the heat idea... Threads extend into area just below crank seal surface...
I overreacted...feeling better now...... I had used strength serviceable blue loctite. I applied just a little heat (hot to the touch only) and out they came. Back together as designed until the next obstacle. Thanks for the advice.
