Gap between trans and block

[DiM]

Wrapping up a new clutch job along with changing out transmission. I was almost done torquing down all 4 tranny to block bolts and this gap caught my eye. That metal gasket is set in its right place all the bolts tightened down with no problem but this gap is there. What could it be?

[vpilarrt]

Sometimes the holes in the metal shield (gasket, as you call it) get bunged up and don't fit over the (2) dowels. Loosen all the bolts a couple of turns and see if you can move the shield onto the dowels. You may have to jiggle the trans some.

[DiM]

I'm obviously not familiar with the terminology but when you say dowels you're talking about those little lips the metal shield sits on?

[Kershaw]

M10x75 is what the dowels will look like. It's those little protrusions to help seat things.

[DiM]

Damn. Those dowels were not seated in the transmission like that photo. They were seated in the block. Would that make a difference ?

[Kershaw]

I was just showing what they would look like. I was in a hurry at the time. That's for an m30 I believe.

[packratbimmer]

I usually clean the dowels well and lube them with anti seize - then the transmission will clunk right on fully with no gap as pictured.

I am hoping that you did not have to wrench down the bolts to get it to that point. It might be possible to press the pilot bearing in without the shaft hitting the bore.

Did you reach a point where the bolts were super torqued and would not tighten without a huge amount of torque? Is the gap the sam e all around?

[DiM]

The gap is just right there. Everywhere else it sits flush. I have reached that point where I can't torque them down anymore. Granted I haven't used a torque wrench but I can't imagine there being much left to tighten.

[DiM]

Figured out why the gap was there. Long story short the metal shield wasn't sitting correctly. The issue was not the dowels.