[stuffedfrog]

Well I was replacing my flywhell with another one that would accomodate the converter I'm using and got 5 bolts all torqued up nicely and the 6th blew out. Now I can't get it out. HELP before I take a sledge hammer to it.

[stuffedfrog]

Well I was replacing my flywhell with another one that would accomodate the converter I'm using and got 5 bolts all torqued up nicely and the 6th blew out. Now I can't get it out. HELP before I take a sledge hammer to it.

[lkt1954]

If you have a helper, try using a pry bar on the back side of the flywheel ahile one takes the bolt out, pressure should help it come out. Go easy on the pressure, so as not to bend anything like the oil pan. This may be a little crude, but it will work most of the time. Like my daddy always said "poor people have poor ways."

[Jack Gifford]

I don't know any trick here. Like he said, try prying out while turning. Or maybe in combination with vice-grips on the bolt to allow pulling/prying out as you turn?
What really surprises me, is a stripped crankshaft flange bolt. Does the flexplate use 1/2" fine thread bolts like the manual transmission flywheels do? I've never happened to see one strip. Was it perhaps an old bolt that might have been damaged or less than a grade-8?

[stuffedfrog]

I used the same bolts since I was just replacing flywheels. I am temporarily using the old torque converter (and tranny) from my 326 and the bolts holes don't match those on the 400 flywheel. It seemed so simple--remove bolts, replace flywheel, replce bolts--then all hell broke loose. Anyway, I've taken lkt's advice and with more gusto than I was previously using, removed the stripped bolt. The crank's thread don't look much different, but I tapped them out of course and now when I get up the nerve, I am going to try again. Now I have another problem: the bracket that holds the flywheel in place is not symmetrical (it has a little lobe cut into it off the center hole, between two bolt holes. Can I put it on any old way or does it have to go on in a certain orientation so as not to throw off the balance of the crank????? Does the side with the lobe meant to balance the 7th hole on the crank and if so, should I mount it so that the lobe and the extra crank hole are opposite of each other? And what is that very thin piece that was between the bracket and the flywheel--what is it and do I need it? (I destroyed the old one getting the bolt out) The 326 bracket was mounted straight to the flywheel without this piece. Oh and the 326 flywheel has mysterious holes all over not symmetrically placed--does it matter how I put it on??? Good grief, the more I type the more depressed I'm getting...Thanks again...

[engineer]

flexplate only fits on in one place correctly onto crank for balance and so bolt holes line up. also there is a front and back side to flexplate. the beveled teeth edge on plate go toward the trans side. Lastly, thin metal shim goes on the trans side of flexplate under the bolts.