Need Help-Bellhousing alignment

RestoCreations · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Ok, so i got the stock dowels out and installed the offset lakewood units. However, no matter which way i rotate them, i cannot get the reading from top to bottom to be less than .020 whenr i start the dial indicator at the 12 oclock position at zero
Can someone please explain this to me:
Setting the dial indicator to zero at 12 oclock position
9 oclock= -.012
6 oclock= -.022
3 oclock= -.011

HOWEVER, when i set thedial indicator to Zero at the 3oclock positino, my readings are as follows
6 oclock= .008
9oclock= .02
12 oclock= .012

I have checked the numbers twice. This is very confusing to me and i do not understand. Can someone please educate me.
Thanks

saltshaker · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:06 PM

I bought adjustable pins which made this so easy...Got the from Rob Mc???
He makes starters,fuel pumps etc...I will see if I can find his last name
Jon

RestoCreations · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:13 PM

As noted above, I have adjustable pins.

saltshaker · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:18 PM

How are you attaching the dial indicator?? I have a special too that slides inside the crank and tighten a bolt to secure it and the indicator atachs to that .
Sounds like the indicator isn't centered....you can borrow it
Jon

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:29 PM

Make sure that your dial indicator isn't running out of travel...

RestoCreations · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:42 PM

Plenty of travel. I have it attached with the magnetic base as the kirkhams recommend. I removed two bolts from the flywheel so that it would sit level.

Thanks for the offer to borrow your base. I might take you up on it.
Ive the indicator and put it back in place and i get the same readings.

blykins · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 05:48 PM

Which dowels do you have? .007"?

elmariachi · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 07:42 PM

Starting at anything other than 12 o'clock just adds a second set of useless numbers. Just base everything off of 0 at 12 o'clock. Notice that:

1. If the dial indicator needle moves inward (shorter) it produces a positive reading.

2. If the dial indicator needle moves outward (gets longer), it provides a negative reading.

Something seems off about your numbers because you should't have negative numbers opposing each other at 3 and 9...the fact that you do suggests you don't have it set up right. You can't a -.011 reading at 3 o'clock (meaning the hole is off to the right) and at the same time and the have it be off to the left at 9 o'clock give you a -.012 reading.

My advice is to loosen everything and make sure both adjusters are positioned so that the thickest part of their bodies are at 12 o'clock. Take new readings, watching the needle as you go, and repost here.

This was very helpful for me:

Lakewood Bellhousing

Another thread with pics:

How to dial in a bellhousing/scattershield - Lot of pics - Chevy Nova Forum

RestoCreations · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 08:38 PM

Sure you can get two negative numbers on opposing sides.

See here

Kirkham Motorsports Assembly Manual

Yes, i have the .007 offset pins. I just ordered the .021 units.

I probably took 20 different measurements today. I finally removed the ring from the bellhousing, the one that makes it the correct size for the tremec, but the numbers were the same.

elmariachi · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 11:44 PM

Nothing on that page support two opposing negative numbers, but I'll table the argument. You have enough data in the three links to resolve this.

RICK LAKE · #11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2011, 04:25 AM

RestroCreations It sound like a paint problem when you rotate the flywheel. Sand the paint off the inner lip of the bell housing.
Install the new pins at "0" on both sides. Buy 7/16" 1.5" Allen bolts for this fix. Install 2 at 3 and 6 oclock. Do the run out. Move one side at a time. This will take some time. Too adjust loosen the allen head just a little and hit the bell with a rubber or dead blow hammer and retighten. Keep going back and forward until you have 2 measurement "0" out this would be either 12 & 6 or 3 & 9. The other measure ment should be close.
Side notes, mine was .038" and a pain to center in the car. I got it down to .002" after 2 hours of working on it. When you have it done and "0" in, You should add 2 more alignment pins to the motor block and bell housing. I also welded nut that just clear the dowls on the block and welded them for postion location too. You want to drill through both the lip of the bell, motor block plate and into the block edge about 1/2" with either 1/8" drill bit or 3/16". These pins are for making sure that if the bell is pulled for a repair, you can reinstall the bell housing, by add these 2 pins and have a perfect realignment and not be .000-.010" off the mark. You will get it. Rick L. Ps I like allen head bolts because they have a smaller head and it is easier to get to them with a short allen wrench. I add flat washers and remove enough of the edge to have the washer lay flat on the bell surface.