All right, so on idle I have a knocking sound from the bell part of the tranny...did a bit of research and found that it could be caused by loose flexplate bolts. So...couldn't find any pictures, so I was just looking for a service plate to be removed so I could tighten up the bolts. Pretty sure I found it (check the pic to verify that), but I've got a problem.

Service plate?



With the exhaust bolted onto the tranny in the way it is (check the pic) I can't pull the plate off...the exhaust isn't stock (bought it that way), but I'm not sure if this is the stock mounting or not...if it is, how are you supposed to get the plate off?

If I unbolted the exhaust pipe/manifold connection, I think I could move the pipe enough to slide the plate out, but that also ran into problems...the bolts just turn when trying to break the nuts loose on the downside of the bolts. They bolts aren't very tight on the connection at all - feels like just past finger tight, and also check out the pic...looks like there's a space in between the manifold and the pipe? I'm just confused...

 

Im no help on the exhaust issues, but that is the service plate you are looking to remove to gain access to the flexplate!

 

All right, awesome. Anyone ever pulled that inspection cover off? I'm still not seeing anyway to get it off without moving the exhaust...

 

Just cut that tab off,when you are done just bolt the plate back on the way it is suppose to be.

 

You're talking about the tab....on the exhaust mount?

 

The tab you took the pic off,that was someones idea not stock. The large hole on the passengers side is where the original bracket was installed,you can get another hanger at the autoparts to install there so there will not be any stress on the exhaust,not clear why someone would weld the exhaust to the inspection plate.

 

Oh, I guess the picture isn't clear...the tab isn't actually welded to the plate. It was bolted on with a large bolt, just like the one that goes in the hole on the pass. side that you're talking about...and the pass. side bolt was holding on some sort of a bracket for the lines running there. The exhaust hanger is pressed tightly against the inspection plate though, and with the tabs bent down around the bellhousing (why..?) you can't slide the plate out.

And do you know if the exhaust manifold/pipe joint is how it's supposed to be?

 

From the picture the pipe to manifold looks ok,is it leaking?maybe it looks a little off on the left side in the pic. the pic of the hanger that was installed just looks like it is welded,but I would still remove it so you can get the plate off,and install another hanger that makes life easier for you in the future.

 

It's not leaking as far as I know - I just saw the joint like that and didn't know if it was supposed to be like that or not...I don't know anything about exhaust really. But shouldn't the bolts be tight on that connection?

All right, thanks.

 

thank you for posting that picture by the way, i couldnt find a single picture of where the service plate was and i didnt wanna start digging around til i knew what i was pulling apart.

 

I wondered why the bolts that hold the cover at the bottom are so big? They can't be that size just for the plate and a bracket.

I never did get my cover off all the way. The bolt on the exhaust side was installed from front to rear. I can't get it past the exhaust. I guess at some point I'll end up cutting it off so I can get the plate completely down.

 

whoa...... HAve fun with that lol

 

huh huh...yeah

I'm still not too cool with using the cutting torch underneath on my back (I know....where's my sense of adventure?). Prolly use the old right angle grinder if my bud will hold the bolt still :-)