17mm bolts, T/C to driveplate

[AKJames]

Pulling the torque converter from the drive plate, im assuming the only way to get to these 17mm bolts is with an offset wrench of some nature....how is everybody else doing this? Tried with a multitude of flexy's but no dice...hardly enough room for the socket let alone a ratchet. Since the only time I have to get this done is on sunday, the tool shops are never open....at least the world didn't end...I sure wanted to drive this thing

[dreamer420]

i got a 17mm socket on there fine. it was a short one, used with a breaker bar.

[AKJames]

So as it turns out the above combination is closer but still no dice. The 318 having a smaller diameter t/c makes for things being REALLY close to the pan.
So order a new set of wrenches it is....(even the repair shops in town don't have em)

[TimKninja]

I used a 17mm Normal wrench The box end. The angle of the box end is perfect.

[Simon S]

Sorry - we don't take too kindly to automatics around these parts..

[AKJames]

No worries, neither do I.
All that being said, free cars are nice (with factory LSD (?!) )

I couldn't get the box end on there enough to provide what I felt to be satisfactory coverage....them things are probably really in there by now & I'm not cool with having to cut/drill/notch em outta there.

Maybe I'll take a couple pictures to elaborate, I swear its worse than it should be

[TimR]

If you can almost get the socket on it grind or cut the end off til it fits, i have a few "customized" tools for BMW's, maybe pull the tranny out a little and you can get to it from behind the plate, can't remember how i did it last time. I guess getto last try, cut the socket in 1/2, get it on and get the vice gripes on the socket. Can you get behind it with a wrench by pushing the torque converter forward??

[E30SPDFRK]

There is an access hole in the oil pan on other models, I'm not sure if this applies to yours. I know the hole is there on M30's and M60's. There might be a rubber plug covering it.

[AKJames]

If you can almost get the socket on it grind or cut the end off til it fits, i have a few "customized" tools for BMW's, maybe pull the tranny out a little and you can get to it from behind the plate, can't remember how i did it last time. I guess getto last try, cut the socket in 1/2, get it on and get the vice gripes on the socket. Can you get behind it with a wrench by pushing the torque converter forward??

This is my endgame plan for sure. Buy cheap 17mm, cut and weld.

There is an access hole in the oil pan on other models, I'm not sure if this applies to yours. I know the hole is there on M30's and M60's. There might be a rubber plug covering it.

I wish it were so. Seems old M10's are a little more devious.

Regardless, this fucker is coming down

[TimR]

Yep the WORST bolt is the top starter bolt on the 84-85 ETA with the big starter, i finally stopped a snap-on truck and ponied up the $40 for the sppecial 30 degree locking swivel and a swivel with a 17mm socket on one end.

[AKJames]

So I just wanted to stop in and report my progress........which would be zero. Haven't had a day off in weeks, only to use my sole break to monkey around with this some more. Still never got the damned tranny off, did have a fancy wrench made at the local welding shop. Ideas on locking out the crank in some way? Cant remove the t/c bolts without engine spin, im hoping a socket on the nut over crank pulley will suffice. Taking pictures today, I swear this is being harder than it should

[AKJames]

Improvised tool in place, worked like a charm. Gets the head out far enough to get a 17mm ratchet wrench on there just fine. Now to insure all is clear and begin the wiggle fest on the tranny....and not get crushed

[AndrewBird]

An auto M10 318i? Damn that thing must be slow.

[AKJames]

Gonna be a D/D, and a vast improvement over the 2001 ford tore-ass, so I could care less how slow it is, not exactly a performance vehicle. Would be a hell of a s52 swap candidate but im not sure I even want to bother. (Interior is fucking PERFECT)

[Keith M]

An auto M10 318i? Damn that thing must be slow.

I had one and was really, really slow. Had an LSD though! Lol
OP. Glad you got it out. Beautiful area you live in by the way.I spent about two months going to Fairbanks and back on a camping trip. Never made it to Sitka though (the ferry cost was prohibitive)