98 cobra lower trans brackets snapped off block

Bpwalls01 · Apr 15, 2024

This is not my engine just an example. Previous owner was a moron and appears to have snapped portions of the block off where the bellhousing bolts up.
green bolts are good.
red are the portions that are snapped off the block (no I don’t have the pieces, i just discovered it)
Yellow bolt hole has been stripped and bolt sticks out about 1/4-1/2 inch and does not touch bellhousing.
Am I good to run it like this?

Blkkbgt · Apr 15, 2024

Are you serious?

You would effectively have less than 50% of the hardware holding the transmission in place.

NO!

J.Rovirosa · Apr 16, 2024

Looks like somebody tried to reinstall the trans by using the bolts to pull it up to the block without it being fully seated. As was said, that block's hosed and should be replaced.

Blkkbgt · Apr 16, 2024

J.Rovirosa said:
Looks like somebody tried to reinstall the trans by using the bolts to pull it up to the block without it being fully seated. As was said, that block's hosed and should be replaced.

I can't imagine someone being that stupid to have such a misalignment and put that much torque on the bolts to snap the mounts off.

03cobra#694 · Apr 16, 2024

Blkkbgt said:
I can't imagine someone being that stupid to have such a misalignment and put that much torque on the bolts to snap the mounts off.

I can, just look around these days. Sucks for OP.

Blkkbgt · Apr 16, 2024

03cobra#694 said:
I can, just look around these days. Sucks for OP.

People like that shouldn't be allowed to own anything more than a screwdriver.

03cobra#694 · Apr 16, 2024

Blkkbgt said:
People like that shouldn't be allowed to own anything more than a screwdriver.

And they would still hold the wrong end.

Bpwalls01 · Apr 16, 2024

It’s very unfortunate as this car only has 91K miles.

Unfortunately a motor rebuild does not align with my finances, I guess it never does.
I have no choice but to run it like this. I’ve taken it on several test drives and the transmission and new clutch shifts perfectly, bolts are loctited and not coming loose. I don’t think that the transmission will separate from the block.
From what I’ve read, the holes with the dowels in them are the most important to have. I’ve also read that there isn’t a ton of stress on these bolts, given that the dowels keep the trans from twisting and the crossmember and mount carries all the weight of the trans.

I did speak to a few people on Facebook who have 1200HP cars running only 4 bolts.

Idk. I will definitely build a new motor in my spare time.

Would it be worth it to have a fabricator make new mounts?

Bullitt1448 · Apr 16, 2024

The one with the stripped hole can be repaired. The broken ones, by the time you get some one to fix it, it will cost more than good used block. Get a block out of a wrecker and swap the parts over. If you’re fortunate, a quick hone and some new bearings you’ll be good to go.

5.0 Hatch · Apr 16, 2024

Blkkbgt said:
I can't imagine someone being that stupid to have such a misalignment and put that much torque on the bolts to snap the mounts off.

I've heard of it happening when you forget the spacer plate. Input shaft bottoms out in the crank before the trans meets the block

DSG2003Mach1 · Apr 16, 2024

5.0 Hatch said:
I've heard of it happening when you forget the spacer plate. Input shaft bottoms out in the crank before the trans meets the block

i suppose that makes a little more sense but to break off both sides...good lord.

5.0 Hatch · Apr 16, 2024

Bpwalls01 said:
It’s very unfortunate as this car only has 91K miles.

Unfortunately a motor rebuild does not align with my finances, I guess it never does.
I have no choice but to run it like this. I’ve taken it on several test drives and the transmission and new clutch shifts perfectly, bolts are loctited and not coming loose. I don’t think that the transmission will separate from the block.
From what I’ve read, the holes with the dowels in them are the most important to have. I’ve also read that there isn’t a ton of stress on these bolts, given that the dowels keep the trans from twisting and the crossmember and mount carries all the weight of the trans.

I did speak to a few people on Facebook who have 1200HP cars running only 4 bolts.

Idk. I will definitely build a new motor in my spare time.

Would it be worth it to have a fabricator make new mounts?

Just an idea to get you through a rough patch but perhaps run solid engine and trans mounts to reduce flexing???

Bpwalls01 · Apr 16, 2024

5.0 Hatch said:
Just an idea to get you through a rough patch but perhaps run solid engine and trans mounts to reduce flexing???

Not a bad idea. I'll be taking it to a performance shop that built my last turbo stroker 4.6. He said he's fab work on coyotes with the same issue before.

I still think that as long as I don't take it to the drag strip it will be fine. Like I said, based on what I've read the dowel bolts are the most important for twisting and flexing, and the crossmember and mount carry the weight of the trans.

I_like_turtlez · Apr 17, 2024

Someone definitely tried to pull the trans to the block by impacting the bolts

I'm not surprised, I've seen DIY'ers take literal hammers to battery terminals and crack the whole battery in half

The block is aluminum, it's buttered toast

98 cobra lower trans brackets snapped off block

Bpwalls01

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Blkkbgt

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J.Rovirosa

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Blkkbgt

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03cobra#694

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Blkkbgt

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03cobra#694

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Bpwalls01

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Bullitt1448

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5.0 Hatch

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DSG2003Mach1

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5.0 Hatch

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Bpwalls01

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