Since there is so much talk of bellhousings these days I thought I would ask. Does anyone know of a source for the tools to center a bellhousing? I mean affordable tools since I can't really see spending big bucks for the miller stuff since I will only use once or twice. What is the tool actually called? I've seen the procedure in magazine and the fsm, but I've never done it. Thanks in advance.

Well.....what I used was really cheap. I used a little stainless steel ruler.....and a dead slant six with a new pilot bushing.
I had the trans input bearing retainer turned down to a close fit to the bellhousing....then I carefully filed the bellhousing till the trans almost slipped in. With the bellhousing bolted to the block and the input shaft engaging the pilot bushing I carefully rotated the trans (in gear). To keep the trans square to the bellhousing I supported the output shaft by hand. (measure to be sure its square) This allowed me to see where I needed to do my final filing to let the input bearing slip into the bellhousing. Tedious, cheap and very accurate. When the trans finally slipped in I greased the trans to bellhousing mounting surfaces and made sure the trans would still easily rotate on the input/mainshaft. Then I held the trans tight to the bellhousing and made sure the input shaft/mainshaft turned freely while the trans was mated to the BH.
When this is accomplished its time to centre punch and drill and bolt the mounting holes one at a time.....always making sure everything rotates freely....Tedious, cheap and accurate.

This setup has about 40000 miles on it now.

This is not the best method!....but in your backyard,,,,, far from the city....in a big hurry (I had a 1000 mile trip planned 2 days later)

The whole process took about 3 hours and cost nothing.

You must understand what you are trying to accomplish.

I like chainsaw files,,,,,cheap , available...and they bite aluminum like crazy....have a file card handy.

Lou's method is far better!

(OK slag me!)

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

That is one classy method sandy. Unfortunately I don't think it will work good on steel. I want to do it the proper way since I will be doing it on one of the T5 adaptor bells that lou is making up. Thanks for the method it certainly is a creative way of centering a bell.

Alignment can be checked with a dial indicator but making the corrections is more difficult. One method is the use of offset dowells and/or shims.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Dial indicator and adjustable magnetic base can be had for <$50. I made a simple (bent 5/16" threaded rod) pair of screw in arms for the magnetic base to mount the dial indicator easily in/near the BH hole.

Lou

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