Flywheel & bellhousing query

[davidcot]

Can anyone shed light on fitting the flywheel. I have a repower billet variety to fit to a 1989 chevy SB. I will be fitting a TKO500 eventually via apepower bellhousing.

NOVICE alert.
The flywheel when offered up does not easily fit on the boss and appears to require persuassion which I am not inclined to give at this time, .I was lead to believe that the flywheel fit is a snug fit not an interferance fit.

When I get to clocking the bellhousing in is it done with the flywheel fitted?
And after reading all the posts on the subject has anybody put together a photo record of the process including the assy of the clutch throw arm and bearings?

confussed but happy

david

[Grease Monkey]

I'm not sure how it should be done, but i can tell you how i did it.

I checked mine with the flywheel off, just because i didnt have a flywheel that fitted at the time. The flywheel will be a snug fit, but should go on with a few well aimed taps. If you're using a lump hammer you may have a problem. Remember to fit the crank bearing before you bolt the flywheel on, remember to fit it the right way around, as you're never getting it out again.!

step 1: attach the bellhousing to the engine. (no gearbox at this stage)

step 2: attach the run out gauge to the crank. I used a couple of bits of angle iron bolted to the crank rather than the magnetic type. Make sure its FIRM and cant wobble!!!!

step 3 position the gauge on the inner or outer face, as per my pictures on thread
Adjustable RV8 Rockers
and spin the crank through 360 degrees. If you're lucky the dial will not change more than 5 thou (.12 mm) This would prove the bellhousing is parallel with the engine

Step 4: Point the dial at the edge of the bellhousing opening and spin the crank 360 degrees. Again if the dial never moves more than 5 thou you're in business as this shows the centre of the crank is also the centre of the hole.

step 5: take the bellhousing off, bolt the flywheel on, bolt the clutch on, being careful to line the plate up, and you're away.

Of course if the thing doesn't line up you'll need to consider shims and offset dowels

[salmon]

Hi Davidcot,

Use a soft faced or heavy rubber mallet to get it started, but don't hit it on the plate surface. As you tighten the flywheel bolts in a star fashion they will pull it on flush.

Maybe this will help.

http://www.cobraclub.com/html/cobra_28.shtml

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm

Regards
Chris

[salmon]

Hi Again,

I forgot to mention use a clutch alignment tool when fitting the friction plate, otherwise all your effort aligning the bellhousing will be wasted as you won't be able to get the gearbox input shaft in properly.

Most decent clutch kits come with one.

Good luck.

Chris

[davidcot]

Thank alot for the very detailed reply I feel more able to tackle this job.

Ta

David

[madjohnny]

David, as far as I'm aware the Repower bell-housing does not require "dialing In"

that's why so many people go for them.
May be wrong but I'm sure I've read that on numerous occasions.

[wazovolan]

Hello,
I have an aluminium toploader and I was wondering if there are aluminium bellhousing ; in USA, Kee makes the aluminium case transmission but he does not make similar bellhousing. Have nice Holidays

[dave]

Originally Posted by madjohnny

David, as far as I'm aware the Repower bell-housing does not require "dialing In"

that's why so many people go for them.
May be wrong but I'm sure I've read that on numerous occasions.

It's not the Repower bell housing that can cause the problem, it's the Chevy block, they can be all over the place.