Transmission alignment to bellhousing
 

I was wondering if there can be an small alignment issue with the damper that bolts to the flywheel or the bellhousing not being centered on the crankshaft? I installed the transmissions to the bellhousing and the shoulder on the tranny did not slide in easly to the bellhousing. I had to use a couple of bolts to "pull" it in place. It took very little pressure with the bolts to do this but it still could not be done by pushing on it by hand. Is this exceptable or is there and alignment issue that MUST be corrected? If so, what needs to be done.

Thanks in advance,
Rick

RV,
Yes there can be an alignment issue with the coupler in relation to the flywheel and yes it should be corrected. I think .005 of runout from center is the acceptable limit. Moroso, among others, makes some offset dowel pins to move the bellhousing around. I think Bam sells a dial indicator set to measure the runout. I think that is where I got mine(was a long time ago). Hope that helps, Eddie.

Actually there are 2 issues, first is drive plate runout. The hub will actually move a round a bit, you can smack it with a brass drift. .005 is max.

Second is crank to flywheel housing centerline. In addition to normal tolerances if the block is align bored or honed it is very common for this to be off. Also .005 max

The offset dowels will work, but Tilton makes a fixture to move the dowel holes in the block and use stepped pins, I like it better.

It might just be too much paint on your trans or housing.

Eddie/Marc,
Thanks for the reply. Do you think since I was able to get it on with very little pressure from the bolts that the misalignment of the hub has centered some and once the engine runs it will be ok and not put too much extra pressure on the crank or front bearing in the trans oil pump housing?

If I had to guess I bet it wasn't more that 1-2thou off. For something that large of diameter to be off more than that it seems to me that it would take alot of pressure to put it in place.

Rick

In my past experience, if it was more than .005 out, the trans would be really hard to get on. I have never pulled one up with the bolts, so I don't know if it will be ok. The safest thing would be to pull it and check it out. I know thats not what you want to hear, but I can't say for sure if it will live.