So i was putting a 5.9 in my friends 99 dakota 4x4... and 1 of the TC bolts cross threaded on the first few threads it was lined up properly and it went in 1 turn crooked. What should I do? Everything else is bolted up and ready to go. Also what is the thread size on the TC bolt

 

If I have to pull the motor I think i'm gonna loose my mind. I have the inspection cover on but I hacked it so i can pull it out without spreading the tranny.

 

You can pull the transmission, instead of the motor.

I don't know the torque converter bolt thread size for sure, but couldn't you just take another one of the bolts out, and find out?
From what I can gather from the parts manual, it's: .312-24x.44 (Don't take this as the absolute truth!)

 

is that 5/16-24 thread or is it a bit off from that? the motors probably easier to pull then the tranny i think

 

i would just take a tap to it and see if you can fix the threads first

 

That number (.312), is slightly smaller than 5/16 (.3125).

I want to say that the thread matched that of a common store-bought 5/16" bolt, but a half-inch bolt was just a little too long.
It's been a year and a half since I've messed with that, and the only way to actually know the thread size will be to pull a good T/C bolt, and measure it. (Or take it to a store with one of those thread size charts)

 

hey man i dont have the truck in front of me.. I got a 2wd dakota and the tranny mount is different from the 4x4 im working on. I cant remember but do you think i have room to get a ratchet in there to get a tap started?
I'm gonna take the bolt to a parts store to see if it is a 5/16 fine thread. I'd imagine it is. Brafasco has never heard of a .312 bolt diameter and they said it has to be fractional