Bellhousing alignment issue - Page 2

JohnRoderick · 06-21-2015, 02:26 PM

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

Run to Rund · 06-24-2015, 09:36 AM

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.

T Ames · 06-24-2015, 11:21 PM

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.

FED 387 · 06-25-2015, 08:24 AM

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

Mike Taylor 3601 · 06-25-2015, 08:29 AM

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

JohnRoderick · 06-25-2015, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

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

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

JohnRoderick · 06-27-2015, 09:09 PM

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.

06-21-2015, 02:26 PM	#11
JohnRoderick Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 75 Likes: 5 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	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

06-24-2015, 09:36 AM	#12
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	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.

06-24-2015, 11:21 PM	#13
T Ames Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: the Brazos Valley of TX Posts: 114 Likes: 161 Liked 125 Times in 33 Posts	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.

06-25-2015, 08:24 AM	#14
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,412 Likes: 510 Liked 329 Times in 177 Posts	Re: Bellhousing alignment issue shim stock is available in several dimensions/thicknesses usually in .001-.0005 increments try any serious machinist supply house

06-25-2015, 08:29 AM	#15
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,364 Likes: 340 Liked 281 Times in 97 Posts	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

06-27-2015, 09:09 PM	#17
JohnRoderick Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 75 Likes: 5 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	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.