I've seen that with multiple vehicles, where somebody didn't seat the TC properly (normally 3 steps), and tried to bolt the bell housing in place by torquing those bolts. When you put the trans and engine together, they should go together easily with a little free play between the TC and flex plate. If not, you wanna check the TC for proper position.Took a closer look with the tc out of the way and saw the crack in the plate going from bolt to bolt. Not exactly sure how this could have happened from daily driving, but at least we have an answer to the noise now!
The 1st one I screwed up on was a 66 Ford Fairlane 6 cylinder and a C4. The most recent was a Mitsubishi Eclipse my daughter bought from an idiot who lost the alignment dowels AND forced the trans in place. Glad that POS was sold after a boneyard engine, timing belt, oil pump, alternator, straitening the core support (after she went 4 wheeling in a corn field), muffler, exhaust pipe, front valance, etc.
But, I digress, here's a few pics of how we straightened the core support - it was fun!
I drilled and bolted D-Rings, in the slab, on one end of the shop to hold the rear end.
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Hooked to the rear of the car.
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Ran a chain from one post the another in front.
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Then, with a 1-1/2 Ton come-a-long and a 2" strap winch, applied all the pressure we could, hit the crease on the core support, bang! It popped back it place!
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Sold it to a friend of hers for $2K, he ran ran it for a couple years before the engine finally gave up the ghost. I don't think I wanna flip another vehicle. My son and I split a whopping $500 in this endeavor - whoopee!
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