Great report on bell housing alignment and a QUESTION

[GaryL]

Thanks for the good report Jerry M.

Since I installed my transmission and rebuilt DZ I have had a stiff operating clutch when the car is fully warmed up. When cold it works fine. Could this be an alignment issue? The block, bellhousing and tranny never met each other before I introduced them. I am pulling the drivetrain during bodywork and will check the alignment for sure now, but is stiff, sticky and hard to shift the clutch when warmed up a symptom of mis-alignment?

[Jerry@CHP]

It could be but you won't know until you check everything out.  Good luck, check the pilot bearing, and input retainer too.

Jerry

[sd1968z28]

hi jerry, jason from south dakota.  picked up my engine today, looks to be in good shape with all the correct markings.  this guy had more stuff than i have ever seen in my life.  everything from a zl1 corrvette complete with alunuimum 427 to a 1942 indian both in original driver condition!!!!  and everything in between including a boneville jet car.  man to have that much money!!!!! i will try to post pic this week.

[JohnZ]

If the O.D. of the front bearing retainer (where the T/O bearing slides) is galled, or the groove on the I.D. of the T/O bearing didn't get lubed, it'll cause exactly the symptom you describe.

[GaryL]

Thanks John. You are my second verification of this. The TO bearing has a plastic collar and the instructions said no grease. I plan on checking the bellhousing alignment (I already ordered the tool) and replace the TO bearing with a greasable metal unit. The bearing retainer was good by the rebuilder of the M20.

[GaryL]

So I have the alignment tool now. The flywheel dowel needs to come out to use it. Can I use Vice Grips to remove it and does it need to be replaced?

[JohnZ]

You don't need the dowel - it was only used on the 400 and 454 (and aftermarket 383's), which needed the unbalanced flywheel indexed to the crank flange.

[GaryL]

John, my 1178 crank has the dowel.

Does GM make 2 different 403 bellhousings? The alignment tool ring is too big for mine, by about 1/32". Back to square one now.

[JohnZ]

John, my 1178 crank has the dowel.

Does GM make 2 different 403 bellhousings? The alignment tool ring is too big for mine, by about 1/32". Back to square one now.

Nope, just one 403 - the hole should be 4.684"- 4.687" in diameter.

[GaryL]

Dead nuts on John. The largest measurement I could get was 4.687"

Another question. This alignment procedure is assuming the block and transmission mating surfaces are parallel. What about that plane?

[TODD]

Gary;
Did you finish alignment?
How much was the tool from Browell?
I need to check mine.

Todd

[GaryL]

I had to send the ring back to get machined. Browell machined it to 4.685". I received it yesterday and checked the alignment last night. It was right on. All done. Now I just need to get a good throwout bearing and put it back together.

Todd, email me and we can work something out if you are interested. No sense in buying one for a one time alignment. If you restore these engines on a regular basis the investment is worth it. It was about $140 with shipping.

[TODD]

Gary;
Which clutch are you using?
I'm using the Centerforce II and Centerforce thowout bearing.
Very good quality stuff.

Todd

[GaryL]

I used a Luk clutch. They are the OEM. The TO bearing is a Timken unit. I would bet that only Timken or a couple of other mfgrs. make TO bearings for everyone.

[TODD]

Gary;
One other question what did you use for an engine cradle when you loaded your bellhousing.
All the ones I've looked at support the back at the bellhousing flange a few are oil pan rail supported.

Todd