Topic: 83 22r to a 85 5speed trans question

[Zombie85]

I just swapped engines in my 85 pickup and I have a question. The new engine is out of a 83 pickup and the threaded bolt holes above the oil pan, where the mount to the trans bolts up, does not fit using the bolts from the old 85 engine. I ordered new bolts from toyota for a 83 and they were the same as the old 85 bolts. I looked at my friends 83 and he doesnt even have this peice on his engine. If anyone has delt with this before please let me know what you did to solve this. Here are some pictures to let you know which parts i'm talking about. Let me know if you need better pictures. Thanks

[Zombie85 [OP]]

Anyone?

[UGLYTOY]

i swapped an 82 into a carbureted 86 model and don't remember having any issues lining that up (yes, mine has that piece you are referring to)--the only issue i remember is that the motor mount holes wouldn't line up and i had to use the ones off the original motor (the front section of the frame was an '85 for a straight-axle conversion before all these hi-steer kits were readily available--motor mount holes were still different)
in your pic i see the clean holes where it was mounted and see a hole in front of those--if you use one of those holes that's full of crap, will it now line up (ie, could it have been installed wrong to begin with), or will it no longer line up w/the trans?
it's been a long time since i looked at one, but looks like you are showing the left side of the engine, but the right side trans stiffener?  i assume you don't have them on the wrong side/backwards......

[Zombie85 [OP]]

Thanks for the reply. The picture of the holes on the engine are of the engine that the trans stiffeners came off of(85), not the new engine(83). The bolts thread into the 83 engine for about half a turn then stop. Im not sure what to do next. I tried to find a smaller bolt at a hardware store, but they were to small. I couldn't find any that were just a tiny bit smaller. Once I figure this out I can finish my build. I have 5.29s and ausies f/r ready to go in, bbcs15 rear shocks, 30 spline longs and a few other parts waiting to be installed. I can't wait to drive the truck again. 

[UGLYTOY]

sounds like the threads in the holes may just be a little boogered up, or just full of crap that needs cleaned out--take one of the bolts and carefully cut 2 or 3 "flutes" in it (ie, make it into a tap/thread chaser, using a hacksaw or small cut off saw) and then turn it in and out of the hole, while keeping your mind out of the gutter--obviously don't crank on it too hard so that u don't snap off the bolt (or worse, crack the block there...), and if this works, don't take it in too deep
don't know if that is the problem, but sounds like a place to start since u said the bolts will start in the holes

[79coyotefrg]

go to your local parts house and get a 10x1.25 tap  about 6 bucks  and clean the holes

also you can run the truck without them but it is better on the bellhousing if you have them

[Zombie85 [OP]]

Bought the tap and all is good. Thanks for the help guys!