A transmission Tale - help

[68lovebuzz]

I need a little input ( no pun intended) on my TKO 600 and a recent symptom. I have maybe 200 miles on a LS6/TKO swap. I had the 3rd gear fixed on recall from TREMEC and all things seemed great - smooth shifting, no grinding. I am using the Keisler Hydro kit and bell. I have been less than impressed with their customer service so I figured I'd ask here. While driving around a couple of days ago I was maybe going 30MPH when I pushed the clutch in and rev'd the motor pretty good. Just wanted to hear my newer exhaust while bouncing off downtown city buildings. I felt a bad vibration in the shifter handle and a groaning from what I suspect was the trans. In my head the only thing I can think of that happened is that the needle bearing in the flywheel was not liking the trans input shaft spinning in gear at a different speed than the engine. I remember lubing it up well on installation. Now, I was told that the tolerance on the Keisler bell for LS applications did NOT need bell alignment ( I remember asking because I did align the trans on my old SBC and factory Alum Bell) So, I did not dial indicate this bellhousing as a result of being told it was not nessesary. The dowels fit plum tight and it didnt appear that the bell would move at all on the back of the alum LS flange. My question is was I supposed to? Anyone have thoughts? The car shifted fine at moderate shifts on the trip home, but there was a noticable vibration in the palm of my hand at higher RPM shifts that also took a bit more effort to engage in desired gear. (this would make me think bell alignment) Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

[68lovebuzz]

Sorry I guess for the story. Bottom line, is anyone running the Keisler bellhousing behind their LS engine? And did you align the bellhousing? Thanks

[garys 68]

Yes, Keisler 621 style bell with Richmond 6 speed and 6.0 LS motor. It was out about 0.007, so got offset dowels. Are you using the LS7 pilot bearing too?

[68lovebuzz]

Thanks Gary for your answer. I am NOT using the LS7 Pilot. I was planning on using it but I read or was told (can't remember) that I wouldn't need to because the Keisler 621 reduced the length from front to back and therefore allowed the input shaft to ride in a regular pilot bearing (as apposed to the factory bell). Once I mocked things up the input shaft went into the bearing by 3/4". Now I feel foolish because it sounds like I should of used the longer bearing. Currently I am using a LS1/LS6 roller pilot and LS2 flywheel/LS7 clutch. Is it time to install the LS7 pilot?

[garys 68]

The keisler bell is actually a bit longer, and thicker, than a standard 621 bell. The turned down area of the input shaft should seat the full depth of the LS7 pilot bearing that rides in the outer flange. My opinion, get the LS7 bearing, dial in the bell. You probably don't even need to remove the other bearing.
And where did you get all this info on the keisler bell?
Btw, I got an aftermarket ebay 621 bell for a Muncie/LS swap. It was out 0.020.

[68lovebuzz]

HA! Wow, after building a car in stages for years the information gets a little foggy. I am not sure where I got that information from but I'm sure glad there are guys like you to straighten me out. Plus you answered my next question, whether or not I will have to take the old one out; that's sometimes not the easiest as I'm crawling underneath the car on jackstands. And that runout.....so much for "precision design not requiring alignment". Thanks a bunch for your two pennies. I owe you some beer. Now off to the garage to lower a trans full of fresh syncromesh that I will probably spill everywhere.

On a side note, do you run a dust shield? Mine made a horrid noise as it made contact with the back of the flywheel after first start up. Was thinking of cutting it but then thought of just going without. Thoughts?

Thanks again Gary

[garys 68]

I used the 2 piece 98-02 f body dust shields. Part numbers in this link.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...-ls-motor.html

[68lovebuzz]

Great information Gary. I really appreciate it!