By any chance, does someone have one of these "one time" usage tools they'd let me borrow (for a few $, of course)? :)

I started the process of switching out my Saginaw for a TKO-600 on Saturday. I ran into a snag and will have to wait until next weekend to attempt to complete it. I only accomplished getting out the old trans, clutch, & flywheel before I had to stop. However, I was dreading having to use the dial indicator that I borrowed. From all the threads I've searched here, it sounds like a very challenging and frustrating process....for even those who are much more knowledgeable than me. CC5spd sells a bell housing they guarantee to be within .005 tolerance, but this will only be so if your engine hasn't been align bored. I cannot tell if it's ever been done (new owner), and it'd be a waste of $ if it had been done (trust me, I'd gladly pay for the new bell housing if I knew 100% it would save me 2hrs of trial & error with a process I've never attempted). The Browell Alignment Tool looks like the way to go, but it costs $125+ S&H and it'd VERY likely be a one time use tool for me.

I don't really know what a Browell alignment tool is, But I assume you are refering to bellhousing alignment. Any bellhousing should be checked to be sure it is in the centerline of the engine. I have always used a magantic base on the flywheel inside the trans hole with a dial indicator to index the bellhousing, You really shoud check it any time the bellhousing is loosed or removed nothing assures the belhousing is going back to the same exact position,there is play even with new alignment pins.

I don't really know what a Browell alignment tool is, But I assume you are refering to bellhousing alignment. Any bellhousing should be checked to be sure it is in the centerline of the engine. I have always used a magantic base on the flywheel inside the trans hole with a dial indicator to index the bellhousing, You really shoud check it any time the bellhousing is loosed or removed nothing assures the belhousing is going back to the same exact position,there is play even with new alignment pins.

Yes Loneman, bell housing adjustment. I knew that probably only the people who have used a Browell would actually know what it is. It's a sweet little device that would make anyone want to throw away their dial indicator, lol. Scroll down the page and you'll see: http://www.camaros.org/bellhousings.shtml

And again, I've read many frustrated posts about using dial indicators, especially with the engine in the car. I want to avoid this if at all possible.

Checked out the site, thats a cool tool!!! I would think with all the tranny swaps ive read about on this site someone got to have one.

I have one that I have agreed to sell to someone once they have the funds. It is set up for a 403 bellhousing becuase the alignment hole is a little smaller on the earlier GM housings. I had to send the ring back to browell to be machined. It worked amazingly well for me and most likely is a one time deal. I will ask the guy wanting to buy it if I can rent it out once. The size is 4.684"- 4.687" (the GM dimensions) that my aligmnent tool will work with.

I have one that I have agreed to sell to someone once they have the funds. It is set up for a 403 bellhousing becuase the alignment hole is a little smaller on the earlier GM housings. I had to send the ring back to browell to be machined. It worked amazingly well for me and most likely is a one time deal. I will ask the guy wanting to buy it if I can rent it out once. The size is 4.684"- 4.687" (the GM dimensions) that my aligmnent tool will work with.

Gary, I recall your very post about this in one of the threads I dug up when searching. If I'm not mistaken, you had it machined down to .685? I find the search feature to be one's best friend on most forums.:D

Sure, ask him if he doesn't mind and then let me know. I'd actually like/need to have it by this Sat, if at all possible (you know how it is when scheduling a friend's help, lol). Mine is a 350....so I'm not sure if yours being machined down may cause a problem for me?

EDIT: I just realized you're in CA. You would have had to ship it via ground today for this to work by Sat of this week. Hmm.......

I did mine with the dial indicator - got it within .001-.0015. This was a used $50 Lakewood unit.

I did mine with the dial indicator - got it within .001-.0015. This was a used $50 Lakewood unit.


Very good, but I explained the reasons why I'd rather not have to use one :). Again, I've never used one. And Gary can attest to the fact the old thread he posted in about this, was rife with people who had...let's say..."issues" with using one properly. They had inconsistent readings, had problems keeping the magnetic base fixed in one spot....and the list goes on. Even CC5spd (along with Camaro.org) don't hide the fact that it's a "tedious and time consuming process that takes a lot of patience". And again, I have ready access to a dial indicator. I'd just rather not spend 2 hours (a common estimate) during installation trying to do this one thing.

I think this tool is for engine builders that will do the aligmnent many times. For me it was a quick easy thing and the money was not the issue. I felt I could resell the tool. It was a very quick, visual and positive way to check the alignment. It actually blew me away how this thing could bolt on the crank and have this ring with .001" clearance fit. I would think that stacking of tolerances would make this difficult.

Kevin, I like your sig. Me too.

Gary where can i get one of these Browell alignment tool .
Mark.

Gary where can i get one of these Browell alignment tool .
Mark.

Jerry MacNeish wrote the article. The link is at the end of ther article.

http://www.camaros.org/bellhousings.shtml

Kevin, my point was that it wasn't too bad, almost kinda fun. Probably did take me an hour or 2. But beleive me, if I can do it, ANYBODY can!

Kevin, my point was that it wasn't too bad, almost kinda fun. Probably did take me an hour or 2. But beleive me, if I can do it, ANYBODY can!

Point taken, Sideways. Lol, you're the first I've heard say it was "kinda fun".:)

It's such a simple tool - why not have a machine shop make one for you out of aluminum

It's such a simple tool - why not have a machine shop make one for you out of aluminum

I have pretty much solved the problem. After talking with a CC5spd rep, I've decided to just buy a new bell housing. They guarantee theirs will be within spec (I knew this initially), and I have an extremely high probability that no adjustments will need to be made (via offset dowels). This is the most viable option for a guy with my experience level....as well as patience level:beers:

I'll let you all know how it turns out next week.