Reference sensor pivot bolt into bellhousing hole

[thekidd]

Well, I did it. I was trying to set my refernce clearence, I got the 8mm clearance. When putting in the pivot and locking bolts, I couldnt get the pivot bolt in for some reason. I took it out, and I droped it trying to pull my hand out. I didnt hear it hit the ground, and looked in the square hole next to the bracket (pass. side) and saw the washer. I got the washer out by means of my speed sensor, but didnt see the bolt, nor did I fell the bolt when I stuck my finger in the square hole. I loked on Clarks to see how to take the clutch bellhousing off, but its not there. I assume that you have to take the , ?? 5-8 17MM bolts ?? (dont know that numbers) off, and I should be able to retreive the bolts. Has anyone done this, and how did you get the bolt/ washer out?

[Techno Duck]

To get the bell housing off you need to basically do a clutch job. Drop trans, slide back torque tube.

Take the starter out and hope it fell to the bottom of the bell housing.

[speedracing944]

Like techno duck said. Pull the inspection hole covers in the bottom of the bell-housing and stick a magnetic wand in the bell-housing in hopes of snagging the bolt. You can pull the starter as well to have a bigger hole to fish in.

Speedy

[zedsn]

also maybe put the car in gear and push the car afew inches if you are able and maybe if it is on top it will drop to the bottom of bell.

[thekidd]

I pulled the starter when I droped it, wasn't at the bottom :< I will will try to push the car tommorow. Do I need the starter installed when I push it? What inspection holes? I know the clutch inspection hole infront of the starter, but is there another one? What will happen if I never find it (or I dont find it and drive)? I am assuming a new clutch/ parts. Thanks.

[zedsn]

Hi, you don't need the starter in while you push it. Get a friend to help and put the car in like 4th gear to make it easier to push. I feel your pain!

[thekidd]

Thanks guys. Please keep some other options coming (no shop/ selling) I will let you all know how it went when I am done. What does the inside of that hole look like? I saw what look like a black plastic peice that seperates left/ right coming from the firewall. The inside felt like it was flat?

[Razorback1980]

Don't drive it with it in there, you will damage something or multiple things. Look for it until you find it. Turn the engine over by hand and see if it falls.

[thekidd]

Well, I jacked the car up on the drivers side front wheel area, and turned the engine over a few times. Did not get the bolt out, nor did I hear it. I wanted to jack the rear up, and turn it over, but it is about to rain. I will jack her up at all angles and turn the engine over by hand again later today, or tommorow if it is still raining.

[John_AZ]

Steve,
I'm following your pain here and the Xpost.
I took a look at my '87 924S and IF the bolt did not go down the clutch TDC hole-even with finding the washer on top of the flywheel--where could it go if you did not hear it fall on the ground over the bell housing.

On the drivers side of the bell housing, halfway down, there is a bundle of starter cables tied to the bell housing. It might have gotten trapped there.

I always have trouble with losing the negative cable clamp bolt and small ground bolt next to it above the clutch hole. The bolts "roll" into a recess under/between the intake manifold and the oil fill pipe. The only way to "find" the lost bolts is with a flexable magnetic pick up poking around the area.

I tried to get a picture. Follow the orange stick to the area I refer to.



You may be in for a premature clutch job but you mentioned that when you took the starter out in Sept. you did find a tiny piece of rubber.

Hope you succeed in finding the bolt.
GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

[thekidd]

I am guessing that that picture is looking from pass. side (bottom of picture) to the drivers side (top of picture) ? EDIT- or you took that picture from the drivers side? IDK? Is the firewall on the top right of the picture?
Anyways, I stuck a coat hanger down around there to no avil :< I stuck a pressure washer (weak one that is on a nossel for a hose) and sprayed from the bootom of the bell housing, and from the top (TDC/ speed/ ref. sensor hole) Turn the engine over a few times, nothing. Stuck a coat hanger down the TDC hole and from an inspection hole/ starter hole/ took a plate off the bellhousing (half square in front of the clutch) and wiggled my hanger all around, still nothing. Is the TDC hole at the very top, or is it on the pass. side more? I am wondering if it could fall down the drivers side part of the bellhousing?

[Razorback1980]

May want to consider using an air compressor over a pressure washer if you have one. Use a magnet to fish around all over the back of the engine. I know this is painful..sorry for your misfortune.

[John_AZ]

I have labeled a couple of things. Have you been using a spring/flexable shaft with a small magnet to poke around and in the bell housing?



GL
John_AZ

[thekidd]

No, not yet. I was planning on doing that once I knew where the bolt was. I didnt want to risk getting my "poker" stuck and having to rip it out of the bellhousing,leaving the magnet behind. Didnt want another thing inside, 1 is bad enough. Thanks for the labels

[John_AZ]

You can buy a 2 foot flex with a permanent magnet attached. Some look like a cigarette filter on a flex shaft.

John_AZ

[thekidd]

Oh yeah? At a home improvement store, or auto parts store? That would be great if I could get one of those.

[John_AZ]

Different styles at different stores in your area. Harbor Freight here. Maybe NAPA, or local FLAPS

GL
John_AZ

[fast924S]

I did the same thing, Droped a nut in there when doing my build, Never did find it. Sooo I dont know what happened to it but Ive been driving fine and did a track day. SO Im hoping it fell out