Removing bell housing from engine

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

I have recently taken a engine out of a truck that I am scrapping and still have the bell housing and clutch assembly connected to the motor. Upon inspection all the bolts mating the housing to the motor seem to be inside behind the clutch and flywheel. I've always had motors with bell housing connected to the transmission . How do I get it off? Is there a trick or just remove all the clutch components and the fly wheel first ?

[RiverPatrol]

As I recall you have to reach a wrench inside the housing to loosen the bolts on the flywheel.

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

I took off the 6 bolts holding the clutch assembly to the fly wheel and the assembly slide right out. Then I took off the flywheel bolts and with some coaxing with a few taps from a brass hammer the fly wheel came out. After that I took the four nuts off holding the bell housing on.

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

The studs for the bell housing aren't long enough to fit in my engine stand mounts. Do you remove the studs and just thread bolts in their place?

[RiverPatrol]

Yes, get some new bolts from the hardware store. Make sure they are a high strength grade.

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

I don't have a stud extractor but used 2 of the bell housing nuts backed up against each other to remove them. I don't have a thread guide and was wondering if anyone know the proper thread size for the bolts ill need to put the motor on the stand mount