Miata bellhousing bolthole troubles.

freestyle Reader
9/21/14 8:41 p.m.

So I've been wrangling today installing my engine into my 94 Miata. The engine is from a 94 Escort GT (I've never heard of bolt pattern differences.) I have all the bellhousing bolts in but one...the 14mm with a nut on the back, just above the starter. I've loosened all the bolts so there's a 1/2 gap for wigglin'. but it doesn't seem to line up. I assume they didn't put this bolt in for decoration and it helps distribute the load....so I'm flinchy about doing without. I COULD drill it out. Somehow. But I could barely fit my phone up there to see what was going on. the hole just below is for a 17mm through bolt that flides and works just fine. Any ideas?

bentwrench HalfDork
9/21/14 8:59 p.m.

No rat tail file in your tool box?

Small bolt next to a big bolt isn't going to do much, I'd just leave it out.

Streetwiseguy PowerDork
9/21/14 9:28 p.m.

I second not worrying about that one. The big one next to it will do the job quite nicely.

Keith Tanner MegaDork
9/21/14 10:28 p.m.

One of the starter bolts did move in 1999 on the Miata side. Dunno about Escorts.

novaderrik PowerDork
9/22/14 3:09 a.m.

i'd just leave it out and pretend you never saw it.

freestyle Reader
9/22/14 7:44 a.m.

Well that's humbling. That isn't the engine block that is not aligning with the bellhousing, that's the flange on the starter. I need to adjust the position of the starter. Amazing what a night of sleep will do.