I am using a Lakewood bellhousing and when I built the Cobra, almost 2 years ago, I did not know any better and figured that since the bellhousing was made for the FE engine and when I sat it on the dowels all the holes lined up, that I just needed to bolt up and go. Well as many of you know that is not how it works.
After destroying a ring gear on the fly wheel and at least 3 gears on my starter, I went through the process of replacing the ring gear gear and trying to get a measurement to see how to adjust the bellhousing. Try as I may, I just could not figure it out. My dial indicator does not fit well in the bell housing so I can not adjust it at a 90 degree to the opening.
I also bolted up the starter to see how it was contacting the flywheel and the teeth are not fully engageing because the starter it too far off to the right...when looking at the rear of the engine.
This whole thing is giving me a big headache. So much so, I took put the engine in the back of my blazer today and took it to a local shop that builds race cars ( and has helped me countless times before). After a conversation on the pains of getting Lakewoods perfect, I came to the conclusion that this was just too much of a pain. They showed me a "scatter Blanket" that they use sometimes and offered to order one for me if I wanted. I believe that these are approved for racing (which I do not do) or they would not use them. I would have to check to be sure before I bought one as I do like having my feet at the end of my legs.
The plan would be to replace my Lakewood with a stock bellhousing so may starter and everything else would be in the correct place. Use the " scatter Blanket" for the added security and go on with my Cobra driving.
Has anyone used one of these blankets? Will the same spacer I use on my Lakewood with my Tremec bolt up to the stock bell housing. Has anyone had this (lakewood alignment problem) happen to them. Will the stock bellhousing solve my alignment problems?