4L60E bell housing broke, inspection plate missing
01-18-2011, 04:27 PM
#1
4L60E bell housing broke, inspection plate missing So the other day I brought my Trans Am to get an oil change and while it was on the lift, I took the opportunity to look at her from the bottom. When I bought the car, I had to have the Trans rebuilt and the car hasn't seen 200 miles since then. So while I'm under the car I see that the round inspection plate at the bottom, front of the bell housing is gone and the bit of metal between that opening and the block is broke out and missing. Will this effect my car at all? Will the bell housing break under acceleration? Is it important that I get it replaced?
01-18-2011, 04:45 PM
#2
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When I use to build transmissions for a GM dealer most of our remans didn't come with those inspection plates. Having that little hole will let a small amount of debris in which is probably nothing to worry about. If you're uncomfortable with it I would try and find one on here or at the dealer for a couple of bucks. Next time you get your oil changed pop it into place and you should be ready to ride. As for the metal chunk missing they probably used a prybar to seperate the bellhousing from the engine block due to corrosion on the dowel pins. Do you have a pic? It probably doesn't need replacement because I've never seen a cracked bellhousing on a 4L60E. Just to be safe I would take the car back to whoever did the trans to express your concerns so if anything happens you have proof of their mistake. I've left a couple of those plates off by accident and they probably have some sitting around their shop. As a matter of fact I'll look around my garage, I probably have one and can send it to you. .
Last edited by TurboStangJON; 01-18-2011 at 04:54 PM.
01-18-2011, 04:56 PM
#3
It's not a big deal. People with th350, 400, 4L80E swaps have no lower bellhousing and only have 5 of the 8 bellhousing bolts in use.
There is a dust shield for swap transmissions but most people prefer to not use them and that leaves 1/3 or more of the flexplate/converter exposed. People have been leaving the dust shield off for decades.
That hole in your bellhousing isn't going to hurt anything, plus it's kind of pointless to put the plug in it if theres a chunk of aluminum missing.
There is a dust shield for swap transmissions but most people prefer to not use them and that leaves 1/3 or more of the flexplate/converter exposed. People have been leaving the dust shield off for decades.
That hole in your bellhousing isn't going to hurt anything, plus it's kind of pointless to put the plug in it if theres a chunk of aluminum missing.
