I bought a 2000 ram 2500 with the 5 speed manual. It quit going into gear. When taking the drive shafts off to take the tranny out. I seen that the tranny only seemed to be bolted straight to the block. No flex plate or block plate. Should it have even been driving? There was nothing to bolt the bell housing to on the bottom half of the block. What should I do?

 

I don't think there is one....... should be a couple braces running from the motor mounts, down to the bellhousing though. (and I am sure they are frequently left off, after anyone does trans work.......)

 

So it is common for the flywheel to be exposed? And is it okay to leave the bottom half of the bell housing to not be bolted to anything?

 

There should be a cover of some sort that goes there..... Can you post a pic?

 

Best picture I have in my phone until I can take a new one. Does this help at all?
I'll post a pic in a day or two when I get back under there

 

Doesn't look like there are any other bolt holes that are empty there???

 

Wow, someone did a mess. And now you have it.

 

The loose bolts I did not undo. Any ideas what would cause it to come loose from the block like that?

 

Bolts not properly torqued last time someone was in there......

 

Before you consider pulling that transmission, you might want to try tightening up those transmission bolts to see if it will shift properly.