Bellhousing Alignment Tool

[69TAPoser]

My TKO-600 should be here on Thursday (thanks again CC5 Speed)so I am trying to get everything I need to get it installed.

I have a Lakewood bellhousing (known for needing alignment from what I have read) and I was researching different ways to get the bellhousing aligned. Most will use a caliper gauge, which I understand can be challenging, but I came accross this tool:



...from Browell Bellhousings in Indiana. Here is a link to an article about it:

http://www.camaros.org/bellhousings.shtml


Looks like a much easier and accurate way to get the bell aligned.

I have been on the phone with Browell already. They are verifying my crank dimensions to ensure that there tool will work. They will make them to fit (I have a 455 pontiac...not as common as the Ford and Chevy stuff) if needed.

It's not cheap at $135, but replacing a TKO would be a lot more.

Anyone ever use a tool like this?

Phil

[hotrdblder]

looks good, however you can get a magnetic base and dial indicator for less then that and it will have many more use's down the line

[6'9"Witha69]

looks good, however you can get a magnetic base and dial indicator for less then that and it will have many more use's down the line

Yeah, like engine building, rear end assembly, etc.

[Bigblue73]

Here is how to dial indicate your Lakewood. This should be typical with all engines.

Bore Runout – Clutch Housing to Crank Shaft Centerline Alignment

When performing adjustments or repairs that involve removing the clutch housing, it will be necessary to check transmission mounting bore runout and squareness to the crankshaft when reassembling.

Note: If your engine has been line bored as part of a rebuild, this step can be omitted.
If you are using a Lakewood Scattershield, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions.

1.) Replace one flywheel to crankshaft bolt with a bolt that is about 3 inches long. Mount a dial indicator on this bolt with a “C” clamp. If you have a magnetic base for the dial indicator, this can be used in place of the bolt and “C” clamp arrangement.

2.) Rotate the engine clockwise, using a socket wrench on the vibration dampener bolt at the front of the crankshaft while noting dial indicator needle deflection. Bore out of round must not exceed .005 inch of maximum total indicator reading. (.0025 one-half total indicator reading)

3.) Excess bore runout must be corrected by installing correct size offset dowels. These dowels are available in three offset sizes and must be installed in pairs of the same size. Mopar Performance and Lakewood each sell these offset dowel pin kits. The offset dowels are in size of .007, .014 and .021 inch offsets.

4.) To illustrate the recommended correction procedure, assume the total indicator reading is .020 in a direction that indicates 2 o’clock on the engine block.

In this case, the clutch housing or scattershield is off crankshaft centerline by .010 inch (one-half of the total indicator reading) which is .008 inch greater than the allowable limit of .0025 (one-half total indicator reading).

In the case under consideration, installation of two (2) .007 inch offset dowels will bring the runout within the allowable limits of .0025 inch. .009 minus .007 inch offset dowels equals.002 inches of runout.

The amount of eccentricity of the dowel will produce a total indicator reading change of double the dowel eccentricity, therefore, select a pair of dowels to the nearest to one-half the total indicator runout.

For runout (total indicator reading) of .009 in. through .020 in., use a .007 in. offset dowel set.
For .021 through .034 in., use a .014 offset dowel set.
For .035 through .050 in., use a .021 inch dowel set.


To install the dowels, remove the clutch housing and old dowels from the rear face of the engine block.

Install both dowels with the slots parallel and aligned in the direction to correct the bore runout. The slot in the top of the dowel indicated the most of amount of offset. Make sure that both dowels are installed up to the shoulders of the offset.

5.) Install the clutch housing onto the engine block using the bolts that were removed. Tighten the bolts to the recommended torque specifications. 7/16 bolts tighten to 50 ft lbs. 3/8 bolts tighten to 30 ft. lbs.

6.) Recheck the runout by repeating steps 1 and 2. If the bore runout is within the acceptable limits, the clutch housing to engine alignment is complete.