Bellhousing alignment issue
 

I have hit a bit of a snag while aligning my Bellhousing.

I need 0.007 offset dowel pins to get the Bellhousing properly aligned. However, for whatever reason, the dowel pin holes in the block have been opened up. The block needs a dowel pin with a diameter of 0.642'' to properly fit. The largest off the shelf offset dowell pin diameter I can find is 0.625.

Anyone have a solution that doesn't require me to have a machinist custom build a set of dowel pins? I was hoping for a solution that would alow me to use the Robmc offset pins that I already purchased. They have a max diameter of 0.621.

Thanks,
John

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

http://lakewoodindustries.com/dowel-...table-014.html
These are an adjustable dowel that also comes in .007 and might have enough adjustment in the to tighten into your block. May want to call Lakewood to ask them. They are available thru Summit cheaper than buying them direct from Lakewood.

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'll check, but I have been told that Robmc makes the dowel pins for Lakewood. The designs also look identical.

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

The RobMC pins have a max diameter of 0.621. If the Lakewood pins are identical to Robmc, then you can buy them directly from RobMC for $29 and avoid the Lakewood/Summit $30 markup.

John

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Maybe try Browell Bellhousing, he may have something that will work.

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

On my old Lakewood bellhousings, I installed the welded style like these.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lak-15981

With the welded style, when the bellhousing is installed and the alignment is where you want it. With all fasteners installed and tight, then all you have to do is tack the weld bushings. Not enough heat to change the alignment.

Or as suggested buy a Browell. Best money I have ever spent.

Good Luck

Sean

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Buying the Browell was the first step of the whole process. Now I just need to find a solution for the dowell pins.


http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...psqj3clsos.jpg

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

John--- look at McMaster -Carr company they sell dowel pins up to 3/4" in diameter and 4 inches long pretty inexpensive too about $3-5 each plus shipping --- when you get them have any competent machinist turn them on a lathe to the diameter you need--- problem solved--- FED 387

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue....
 

Gotta wonder what NHRA and Lakewoods thinking is concerning drilling and welding on a SFI stickered component.

{QUOTE=Sean Marconette;474338]On my old Lakewood bellhousings, I installed the welded style like these.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lak-15981

With the welded style, when the bellhousing is installed and the alignment is where you want it. With all fasteners installed and tight, then all you have to do is tack the weld bushings. Not enough heat to change the alignment.

Or as suggested buy a Browell. Best money I have ever spent.

Good Luck


Sean[/QUOTE]

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

DO NOT do any mods yourself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your SFI is VOID-you will have a very expensive piece of junk----- send it back to the manufacturer and let them do the mods that way they can "certify" that the mod meets approval---I still would buy 2 better yet 3 so you have a spare pin of the 3/4 in pins and offset turn them--- there must be a competent machinest you in your area you know that can do this--- ya I know its a pain but that seems to me to be the easiest way

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Anyone that races a clutch car has drilled holes to check air gap and to adjust the clutch. Those holes were never an issue on SFI recertification or the tacked alignment bushings on my Lakewoods. I drilled a hole in my Browell to check air gap, and it was just recertified over the winter. Browell could have deemed my modification as a money grab if it were an issue. All they did was tap and install a plug in the hole.

Sorry to derail your post John, I was commenting on the misalignment and not the real issue of alignment pin availability. Browell might be able to provide a solution.

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

At this point I am working with a local machinist to make sleeves for the block, so I can use the original RobbMc offset pins that I purchased. The main deciding factor for me was this solution allows me to keep using off the shelf offset dowel pins in the future. I can only imagine loosing a custom dowel pin and having to do this whole process over.

John

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Can you try wrapping a shim about .009" or .010" around the dowel, just enough for a snug fit, and use blue loctite so you can get it back out if needed. I drill and tap mine for 5/16 x 18 so I can take them out with a slide hammer.

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

John, I've had success taking a hammer and punch to knurl the OD of the dowel pins where they interface to slightly oversized or worn holes in the block. Pretty primitive, but it was enough to tighten the pins up in my application. Not sure if it would work in your circumstance. The machined sleeves you mentioned are certainly an elegant solution.

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

shim stock is available in several dimensions/thicknesses usually in .001-.0005 increments try any serious machinist supply house

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

I can't remember the size and don't have any on hand at the moment,but I think the size your holes in your block are the size that they opened up to when using BHJ products fixture.
BHJ dowel true corrects dowel holes off main bores,reams holes oversize to correct position.
I always use weld on bushings,easiest way to correct,I also use BHJ dowel true and surface bell area of block square to mains.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Mike,

You hit the nail right on the head. I was able to confirm that dowel pins where setup with the BHJ dowel true. Now I need to figure out the source of the 0.014 offset.

Thanks,
John

Re: Bellhousing alignment issue
 

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.

The problem has been solved thanks to Chuck Norton and Jack at C.M.C. Engineering. I had sleeves made for the dowel pins holes and used the RobMc pins to align the bellhousing.

This was my first time using the Browell Alignment tool. However, I found that I like the traditional way of aligning the bellhousing over using the Browell alignment tool. To me, the traditional way is more precise. The final numbers are shown below.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...psco4uyzju.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...psllw7lwyf.jpg