I guess that maybe true about a stock open bottom bell housing as that [ your ] question was never answered about that. Also it was never asked or stated if the bearing retainer fits the bell housing hole . So, does the bearing retainer fit the hole? I have had some with a nick on the not allow it to slip in. If the bell housing is a open bottom, install the clutch / pressure plate with the bolts loose, then push in the transmission, then tighten the bolts.