Best way to pull tranny back just an inch or two
 

So I just rebuilt the engine on my FD, hooked it all up and started her up. It appears that somehow, a small nut fell in the engine side of the bell housing. (I hear something getting thrown around, and it certainly isn't in the block)

Is there a way to unmate the tranny from the engine and pull them apart just enough for me to get whatever is in there out? Without having to pull the engine again

You can't get it through the access cover on the bottom?

Thanks for the quick reply.
I believe whatever it is, is on the other side of the flywheel. Therefore, not reachable from the access cover, unfortunately.

easy way? no, the pull type clutch pretty much makes sure that's not possible.

Ah, just my luck. Well, I now know what I'll be doing this weekend.
Thanks a bunch

Slowly turn the motor over by hand and see if you can get it to fall to the bottom.

I'll certainly try that, although I only hear it thrashing around when I raise the RPMs. It runs perfectly while idleing.
Or it may be another problem entirely that I'm overlooking

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...11d112d824.jpg
Aaaand sure enough, there it is Lol

Bleh that sucks! Doesn't look like enough room to get it out there. A pickup magnet would be tricky since it would want to stick to the pressure plate and ring gear.

I can't think of an easy way to do that.

(returns from garage)

Got an idea.

- Remove throttle body elbow
- Remove oil filter
- There is an inspection panel on top of the rear iron on the engine, remove the one bolt that holds it on
- Fish down with a magnetic pick up tool. If you have an aftermarket flywheel, may want to rotate the engine so the counterweight is on the passenger side
- Pull up and there ya go.

Other wise I'd unbolt trans and starter and see if maybe it would pull back a half inch or so to get it out. If not you would need to pull the driveshaft, PPF, and other stuff under the car to get the trans to move back which is a job.

Just take your time and get it done right. I really feel you can do it from the top.

Dale

You're right on the money. Ive been trying to fish it out through that inspection panel for an hour or so. Very difficult but it will certainly work.
Thank you all so much

OK..here's my solution.primitive but doable.
Grab the nut with either a set of needle nose or locking surgical tool..( I got one..you should too..haha!)
Move it over and find the thickest part of the casing where you can cut it..
Take a dremel carbide bit and cut the casing enough to slip the nut out.
You do not have to go Nuts on the casing..just enough to make room to slip the nut out.

or take the starter out, you guys should be better than this.

good call on inspection plate at top

you guys really are trying to make life difficult for him.

all it would take is yanking the starter and a bendable magnet, strong enough to grab the nut.

put a small magnet onto the flywheel and have the nut stick to the magnet and rotate the flywheel/nut until it is at the starter hole

^ thats genius.