Offset dowel question..

[asmith1968]

I purchased a set of offset dowels from a local speed shop for aligning my bellhousing for my new tko-600. They fit in the block without any need to press them in and spin with the help of a standard screwdriver. The kit provides a set screw and the expectation is to drill and tap the block and lock them down once the desired offset is acheived. Since I am doing this with the engine in the car, this is not an option. My question is what role do the dowels play other than alignment? am i risking anything by not locking them down? once alignment is achieved and the housing is torqued I should be good right? I planned on etching in the final position for reference in the future if I need to tear it down. What are your thoughts?

[chicane67]

Green, self wicking, LockTite, maybe...

Without the set screws, which wouldn't hold them in place with any load on them anyway, I believe that the self wicking LT might be a workable solution.

[CarlC]

You could get everything assembled then weld the pins to the bellhousing, if it is steel.

If welding is not an option, is there enough material to put a set-screw into the bellhousing flange?

Or, like Tom says, go green.

[Blown353]

My suggestion: sell those dowels and buy the set screw locking "split" dowels from RobbMC performance... also now sold by Lakewood.

http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/dowels.html

Easy to install, easy to adjust & lock in place, and easy to remove or readjust in the future.

If you keep your current ones, I would also suggest the green "retaining compound" loctite for the first effort. It should work given the application. For a close tolerance "slip fit" application such as yours you want grade 603 or 635.

[Bigblue73]

X2 on RobbMC. Great pieces.