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Bell Housing Alignment

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by MikeON, Sep 21, 2017.

  1. Sep 21, 2017
    MikeON

    MikeON New Member

    Lucinda PA
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    25
    Rebuilding my T90 and D18. The flywheel pilot bushing bore was badly worn egg-shaped. So I checked the concentricity of the bell housing bore with the crankshaft using a dial indicator - .020" Total Indicator Runout. This was with the dowel bolts in place in the close-fitting holes. Novak recommends this not exceed .007". I also indicated the flat face of the bell housing where the transmission bolts on - .004" T.I.R., which is fine.
    After a few hours of tapping and prying on the bell housing, I was able to center it within .001" T.I.R. But this was with a regular bolt in one of the dowel-bolt holes and no bolt in the other, although a 23/64 drill will fit there.
    The previous owner bought this 1963 CJ5 at an auction, so I don't know the history of it beyond that. The bell housing has no cracks or other evidence of damage.
    I'm aware that there are offset dowel pins for centering bell housings, but in this case the dowel bolt provides a clamping as well as location purpose.
    So I'm thinking of reaming the dowel holes to 7/16", then make some close-fitting 7/16" bolts in the lathe. Just wondering if anyone else has encountered this and what other solutions are available.
     
  2. Sep 21, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I had big issues with a 258-six and a four-speed (1973 CJ5). Repeatedly jumping out of gear even after a 'professional' transmission rebuild.

    Borg-Warner advised me to center the bell housing.

    I used a few beer-can shims between the bell and the engine, never had any problem after that. Worked for me.
     
  3. Sep 21, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    You can find or make offset dowel pins that will allow for some corrective movement.............or you can indicate where the true center needs to be in the bell housing.........bore it out and then make a sleeve / bushing that corrects the center..........keep in mind , whatever fix you decide on you want it to be easily repeatable.
     
  4. Sep 29, 2017
    MikeON

    MikeON New Member

    Lucinda PA
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    25
    Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and reamed the holes to 7/16". Drilled 25/64, 13/32, 27/64, then the reamer. Made some tight-fitting 7/16" bolts out of 1/2" bolts in the lathe. Bolted everything together and it indicated .003" T.I.R.
    bolts.jpg
     
    tripilio, Bowbender and tarry99 like this.
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