Lakewood Bellhousing Surface Parallel

[Ghoste]

I know about checking runout but I was told that it's even more important to have the mating surfaces of a Lakewood (or any) bellhousing ground to ensure they are parallel.  It makes sense of course that they should be but are they all cast so badly that its become a necessary expense for anyone purchasing one?

[RallyeMike]

I know about checking runout but I was told that it's even more important to have the mating surfaces of a Lakewood (or any) bellhousing ground to ensure they are parallel.  It makes sense of course that they should be but are they all cast so badly that its become a necessary expense for anyone purchasing one?
 

They are not cast but rather formed and welded steel. I don't believe what you are talking about is anywhere near as important as runout, but what the heck... look at it. If its off a few thou I don't think that's a problem.

[Ghoste]

My related concern is that living where I do there isn't much for reliable auto machining.  The only local shop I cant trust enough to drop off the bell and have them grind it ONLY if needed.  If I leave it there, its pretty much a guarantee they will find it off and grind it whether needed or not.

[birdsandbees]

Use a digital level.. find a perfectly flat floor or bench with same. Place bell housing on said surface and then check the trans mounting surface in all directions for level.

[John_Kunkel]

I believe run out and parallelism are equally important, parallel maybe more so; think about it, if the mounting surface isn't parallel the pilot is cocked in the bushing.

Years ago, I built a Clutchflite for a guy who managed to wipe it out in a few minutes of running because the new Lakewood was way out of parallel.

[timmycharger]

Use a digital level.. find a perfectly flat floor or bench with same. Place bell housing on said surface and then check the trans mounting surface in all directions for level.

That is what I did.  


Then I got all fancy and bought a tool to check the alignment because I got too frustrated trying to do it with measuring  


that welded nasty looking nut on the zbar mount is long gone. I bought the Bellhousing used and somebody hacked it on there

[Ghoste]

Could you not also check for a parallel trans mount surface by moving the dial indicator up to there and rotating through the same fashion as checking runout?

[Ghoste]

I have since learned that is a valid way to check. 

[John_Kunkel]

Even the FSM shows the dial indicator being used for parallel check.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Even the FSM shows the dial indicator being used for parallel check.

The chrysler fsm's are full of great information.

[Ghoste]

They are and I have a collection of them but its a long time since I just thumbed through one other than looking for torque specs.  This was a topic I never would have expected to be in there.  Thanks John.