Bellhousing alignment issue

[JohnRoderick]

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

[Bob Gullett]

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.

[JohnRoderick]

Originally Posted by Bob Gullett

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.

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

[JHeath]

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

[Sean Marconette]

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

[JohnRoderick]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

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

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

[FED 387]

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

[Rory McNeil]

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]

[FED 387]

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

[Sean Marconette]

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.