How important are the three Welsh plugs in a W58? (Anyone rebuilt one?)

[Ashh]

Hey guys,

Converting a W58 to fit onto my 2T/3T thing. I'm doing this with an adapter plate. To be able to use all of the bolt holes I'm welding the adapter plate to studs in the W58. Then the bellhousing will bolt to the studs on the adapter plate.

Welsh plugs in question surrounded by red grease:


With adapter plate on:


As you can see the adapter plate covers the welsh plugs. More importantly the stud is veryyyy close/ontop of the middle welsh plug.

How important are these to rebuild a W58 if I ever need to? I'd rather not cut out holes to have access the welsh-plugs because it will mean losing that stud.

[RAAAH23]

Any reason you didn't go for a 1G or 3TG bell and bolt it all up?

[Ashh]

They're realllyyyyy expensive and hard to find. Or that's what I experienced.

[lilcrash]

Personally I have never known anyone to need access to them but considering your current options, why not sell the 58 and just get a j160? Be cheaper and less hassle .

[dnegative]

Plugs never need to come out

[Ashh]

cheers for the information. I'll be leaving the adapter plate as is!

The reason I didn't go for the J160 is I didn't know about it! Had I known there was a cheap, 6spd (!) alternative I would have jumped on it, However I got myself a w58 for a steal (it was sold as a w55 and even then it was cheap), and also have the adapter and modified the T-series bellhousing. I've done all the hard work already, just got to countersink the adapter plate, clean up the studs and then fire up the TIG.

Small solace is that I've heard the J160 needs the trans tunnel to be massaged due to it's shape.

[allencr]

Probably not that important, just seals the ends of the shift rails.
What IS important is a close & TIGHT fit between the bell/clutch housing and the transmission!
Is your welded on plate going to do that? Else it's going to start moving & pull itself apart if there's any sort of power going through it.

[Ashh]

given that it's 6mm steel and to weld it on I'm going to be bolting it on (minus 1 bolt, which will be the stud I'm welding) and then slowly remove the bolts and put in the studs as I weld them I think it will be very tight.