How to Dial Indicate Your Bell Housing

[@scwwfsc]

Just bought a 6 speed kit from you guys for my Chevelle, appreciate this video

[@steveclunn8165]

Very interesting and informative I have been voting electric motors 2 Transmissions for 25 years now using a different technique to line them up. I spin the motor with 12 volts and move the transmission around till it makes the least amount of noise. Somebody pointed your Technique out and I am going to try it the next time I do a transmission that has a bellhousing that will come off. Learned something new today and that is always good thank you

[@MrTNBassmaster]

I'm running your TKO 600 5009 in my 84 camaro. With the lakewood behousing mine was only off .002 total . Well within specs :) brand new stuff.

[@alexrodaro1]

There's always something new to learn! Thanks for your tips

[@thomasshamp6031]

Does using the dial indicator at an angle impact the measurement at all?

[@davebenedict7986]

Was not aware of this. However, it would have been more beneficial I think if you'd shown the offset pin install as part of the video.

[@MrTNBassmaster]

Excellent video and very easy to follow , please make more videos , they help so much. And I'm running your 5009 TKO 600 in my 84 camaro.

[@AmericanPowertrain]

MrTNBassmaster Thanks! we are working on some new hydraulic clutch set up videos coming soon

[@PANTYEATR1]

great video...i how can this be done with the clutch attached? the QuickTime says it can be done with the clutch on, but it's easier with it off...i have a twin disc clutch and it's alot of work to remove and install especially when loctite was used with the torque specs. thanks

[@gaston50952]

Hi, can you share the link where to buy the dial indicator like the one you have? I have a regular dial indicator with a magnetic base but hard to use because when turning the flywheel it touches the bell housing. Thanks

[@rosarawlins9471]

Which dial indicator are you using cause mine is a pia to get to adjust to that hole.

[@sullie35]

Should we use the supplied pilot bearing or should we use a bushing? People telling me to use a bushing cause of less chance or possibility of bearing defect or failure?

[@LosDrifteros]

Same question, is this required when using the original bellhousing on a T56?

[@andy347495]

His readings are not correct because of the sag caused by the weight of indicator and the associated parts of the mag base. Also, not using the proper location of the ball on the stylus will skew the readings. The sag can be tested too.

[@V8freaks]

How can the sag be tested, Andy? Thx, Marlon

[@andy347495]

V8freaks if you KZbin indicator sag you can see an example of how. Or, attach your indicator to a ridged piece of square tubing with the indicator touching it. then, zero your indicator out as it's sitting upright. Then, flip it upside down and see how much the needle moves.

[@Jordanrhart]

The location of the ball is what concerned me too. Shouldn't the arm of the stylus be perpendicular to the face being measured. ?

[@andy347495]

@Jordanrhart you should also be concerned about the sag/flex of the arm that the indicator is attached to. there is flex induced by gravity. the contact point of the ball should be perpendicular to the stylus arm.

[@joeamez7041]

I’m probably asking same question, but what about on a oem trans and bell housing that came with the car from factory. I know it is cause I’m the only owner

[@firebirdpontiac5102]

Whats the best way to do this when a quicktime bellhousing is used?

[@AmericanPowertrain]

firebird pontiac Same set up, BUT in most cases QT bells are very accurate

[@frekkledipped]

sorry I didnt get where those shims or what ever went, mor4 detail would have been nice

[@Dr_Xyzt]

In the case of a T-56 Magnum and an aluminum bellhousing, would you say it's reasonable to remove the end of the transmission and indicate off the bearing race? I mean, I could attach a plate with a round hole in it and indicate off that, but can I really trust it? By the way, you guys make really good instruction manuals, and your Hydramax slave is nicely machined.

[@rsulka]

good call. I was hear to learn about bell housing without round hole. I saw 'indexing plates' but that introduces another error to the stackup. Removing the midplate and dial indicating to THAT ACTUAL PART is an ideal recommendation. Anyone else have thoughts?

[@yousefbinahmed2269]

Do I need to diel indicate my LS to the T56?

[@nickschoenly742]

Yousef Bin Ahmed *dial

[@watahyahknow]

you should check any bellhousing you mount with a dial indicator for being offcenter or not , even factory mounted ones could be off center , its just part of making stuff better then new

[@jedwards100able]

The LS T56 that bolts back to a LS with original dowl pins and bellhousing bots should and will lign up correctly. Hes taking a engine that has a different same bellhousing pattern but only a LS crank pilot bearing hole to input shaft is going to different.

[@madoneadventures]

What is the dial indicator called so I can buy one to dial indicator my bell housing? Is it just a dial indicator with a magnetic base or does it need to be specific to do bell housings?

[@SwitchBiker]

I've been trying to check my SBC with a T-56 Quicktime bell housing, but having difficulty because there are numerous gaps at the mounting flange where I need these measurements to determine center, is there a practical way to correctly check these style bell housings?

[@SwitchBiker]

Ok, I got it now. For these bell housings one must remove the front plate off the T56 and mount it to the bell housing to dial indicate. Tricky Tricky, I spent a little time trying to figure it out and the answer was right there on the Quicktime website.

[@firebirdpontiac5102]

couldnt find quicktime website...do you just place the magnetic side anywhere in the flywheel?

[@SwitchBiker]

firebird pontiac yes, anywhere as long as the mic head can travel near center of the flywheel within its range

[@danielesilvaggi]

How did you center the dial indicator to the flywheel lol I think you need to show that first. I have rescinded my thumbs down after watching a few other videos and I now understand how you came about this. Sorry for doubting you.

[@geoffmooregm]

You don't have to. Just put it on with a magnetic base. You're not trying to find center you are just finding out if the bell housing is concentric to the crank.

[@loganshotrod4x464]

The off-set dowels seem like more trouble than they're worth, is it better to use the Lakewood kit that has the longer dowels & weldable collars? Are your options limited with an aluminum bellhousing? Excellent video by the way, you made your point, I'll index my bellhousing.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

I'm having a hard time getting my dowel pins out, and I'm barely off, at .008". One of the pins fit loosely into the bellhousing. I sanded the one that already fits loose, stuck some aluminum foil on it, and re-indicated the bell. Loosened the bolts, and then tweaked the bellhousing with a ratchet strap and a 4" square tube going over the valley plate. Secured the tube on the other side to the pallet jack the engine is sitting on. I indicated it to .002" out. I bolted up the trans and let the assembly rest as if it were installed in the truck. I sat on top of the gearbox. Re-indicated, it didn't budge.

[@rorymcneil6087]

I have to think the weld on collars would be considered an non factory modification, and would void the SFI certification. May not be a concern if you don`t race the car, but if you do, and run quick enough to be required to have a valid SFI dated sticker, not a viable option. Frankly, I have always just used the Lakewood offset dowels, and after it is all dialed in, I drill and tap a small hole in the block next to the dowel pin hole, and install a pair of Allen head set screws to prevent the offset dowels from getting moved out of position during bellhousing re&res.

[@del00ze]

dti not set correctly.

[@deankay4434]

Companies with ISO9000 certification do this in house after machining a few. At this point, adjustments are made so each bell housing you sell, are machined correctly before they go into the box and get taped up. But, I would guess the manufactures like GM, Ford and others machined and drilled threaded & dowl pin holes off center in the millions there made! That's it! They are wrong and the manufactures have no way of controlling how far off the holes are. I am so glad we cleared that up! For a minute, I thought it was your fault. Glad it's not. DK, Omaha. ASE Master Tech since 1978, UTI instructor and ACDelco MASM retired!