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Quick Time or Lakewood bellhousing?

Started by General_01, September 29, 2008, 09:11:28 PM

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General_01

1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee
496 stroker
4-speed

Ghoste

I ran a Lakewood one piece in a car once and luckily never had to test it out.  As for pros and cons, I can't offer any complaints about it, it installed without any hassles and did what a bellhousing is supposed to.

69ISFINALLYMINE

I installed a Lakewood on one of my cars with no installation problems and it fit perfectly.  The word on the street is that you might have to replace your engine dowels with off-set dowels to align the new bellhousing.  It was on my list of things that I would have to do (I accepted it as something that had to happen since I was making the upgrade) but when I installed the bellhousing and did a dial indicator check it was well within spec.  You will need to verify this with ANY aftermarket bellhousing for a proper install, although many people don't even bother. 

The details on tolerances were included in the paperwork with my Lakewood.  The measurement is done by installing the new bellhousing with a magnetic base dial indicator mounted on the crank or flywheel, rotate the crank by hand, and measure the runout with the dial indicator riding the inner lip of the bellhousing where it fits to the front of the transmission.  If the bellhousing is off-center then you will need to install off-set dowels which are available in various off-sets from Jegs, Summit, etc.

Oh, one more thing.  If you are currently using a transmission-mounted starter you will need to change to a block-mounted starter since the Lakewood does not have provisions for mounting a starter to it.  You may be able to weld nuts to the block plate that they provide with the bellhousing, but I just swapped to a block-mounted stater and called it a day.

Doc


Rob R

I sure either one will get the job done...anything is better than a cast iron or alum bell housing if there is an explosion...that quick time is for 130 tooth wheels only if it makes a difference in your application.

General_01

Thanks guys. Sounds like I will go with a Lakewood, since there are more knowns about them. I am running a 130 tooth flywheel on my 383. I will look into a block mount starter.  :2thumbs:
1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee
496 stroker
4-speed

69ISFINALLYMINE

FYI, any starter rebuild shop or a good counter guy at NAPA will be able to cross-reference the block mounted starter for you if needed.

Doc