Removing the flywheel and torque converter from the V8

[adamb]

I'm disassembling an M116 3.5 litre V8. The torque converter seems to be integral with the flywheel. There are 19mm bolts hidden behind the flywheel. I've had no luck trying to undo them. How is this meant to be removed? Anybody with experience on this forum in this area?

Adam

[UTn_boy]

There should be an access hole in the front bottom of the bell housing.  Sometimes there is a plastic cover that is in the access hole that you have to pry out, but being a 3.5 it'll likely have a metal plate that you'll remove.  It's held on by two bolts. Any of this make sense?

[adamb]

The engine is out of the car and the gearbox has been removed. I'm staring at a bare flywheel and torque converter.

[Zaxxon]

There shouldn't really be a flywheel, there is only a flex plate attached to the TC. The flex plate is held onto the TC with 3 sets of 2 bolts as far as I remember. At least on the 450 that's how it is.

--Zax

[UTn_boy]

The engine is out of the car and the gearbox has been removed. I'm staring at a bare flywheel and torque converter.

Well, have another look.  As myself and Zaxxon mentioned, there are bolts that hold the TC to the flex plate.  On the bottom of the adapter plate that goes between the engine and the transmission there will be a hole of some sort that allows you access to the bolts you're looking to remove.   Anybody have a picture handy to post? 

[robertd]

Once you have found the access hole located at the bottom of engine/transmission mounting plate you can rotate the ringear to reach the 3 sets of bolts that hold the flex plate and ringear in place.

[adamb]

Okay, understood. The bolts go through the ring gear towards the rear, right? I'll take another look. Thanks for the advice.

[UTn_boy]

Yes, and you should be able to see them from the access hole.  As previously mentioned, you'll have to turn the crankshaft to align the bolts up with the access hole.