Bellhousing,clutch alignment checking tool-just sharing
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Bellhousing,clutch alignment checking tool-just sharing
I've mentioned this little cheater tool a few times in the past but never posted up a pic because I was thinking (for 30 years 
)about maybe trying to market it.
( Maybe some young member here with lots of energy will take the idea and make a million.
)
This thing has saved me so much time because it insures the bellhousing alignment to pilot bushing is good before installing the trans. Takes only min. to put the bellhousing in place with a couple bolts (no clutch),install this tool and then try and turn the input shaft.
If the input shaft turns freely remove the bellhousing and install the clutch assembly,install bellhousing,reinstall the tool,move clutch fork to disengage clutch,turn input shaft to insure clutch will disengage. Then install that heavy tranny knowing the clutch and pilot are good to go.
I made this thing aprox 30 years ago after I had 2 back to back alignment issues. One was a crank out of an automatic car so the pilot was off center and the other was a mismatched block and bellhousing conglomeration someone brought me to assemble.
Just thought I'd share my funny looking tool and I'm guessing no one has seen one like it.
)about maybe trying to market it.( Maybe some young member here with lots of energy will take the idea and make a million.
)This thing has saved me so much time because it insures the bellhousing alignment to pilot bushing is good before installing the trans. Takes only min. to put the bellhousing in place with a couple bolts (no clutch),install this tool and then try and turn the input shaft.
If the input shaft turns freely remove the bellhousing and install the clutch assembly,install bellhousing,reinstall the tool,move clutch fork to disengage clutch,turn input shaft to insure clutch will disengage. Then install that heavy tranny knowing the clutch and pilot are good to go.
I made this thing aprox 30 years ago after I had 2 back to back alignment issues. One was a crank out of an automatic car so the pilot was off center and the other was a mismatched block and bellhousing conglomeration someone brought me to assemble.
Just thought I'd share my funny looking tool and I'm guessing no one has seen one like it.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
That's a great idea Roger, what I really like about it compared to a normal alignment tool is that you can completely mock up the clutch install and check it's operation before you throw the box back in 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
No way
I've had to make several because my buddy's I've loaned them to have refused to bring them back. 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Here's a start,a nose cone and a saws-all and your set. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MUNCI...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MUNCI...Q5fAccessories
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
You don't have to have a Muncie case , I'm pretty sure others will work. You'd be surprised what you might find behind a trans shop. Or if you see one of these guys collecting scrap,ask him to look for you.
I use the same scrap guy all the time,if I need something that I think he might run across I tell him,I always keep an old radiator or 2 around as trading stock.
I use the same scrap guy all the time,if I need something that I think he might run across I tell him,I always keep an old radiator or 2 around as trading stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hey Roger
Cool idea.
I am no expert and do not fix cars for a living. Let me ask you, what happens if the input shaft on your tool does not turn freely? lf you need to realign the bellhousing, what size offset pins do you buy? I suppose if you do this often and have an entire assortment available or at your disposal, it would not be a problem to keep trying different offsets until you come up with the best choice. To me, a dial indicator tells you exactly what you need to do use and where.
Cool idea.
I am no expert and do not fix cars for a living. Let me ask you, what happens if the input shaft on your tool does not turn freely? lf you need to realign the bellhousing, what size offset pins do you buy? I suppose if you do this often and have an entire assortment available or at your disposal, it would not be a problem to keep trying different offsets until you come up with the best choice. To me, a dial indicator tells you exactly what you need to do use and where.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I think I've got a few cases like that laying in a pile from my 4 speed racing days! Every once in a while those ears got popped off on a good hard launch!
Neat tool!
JIM
Neat tool!
JIM
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
That should work. 
Thanks Jim , I bet you do have a few broken ones.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Saw one the other day in overstock bin at Walmart
Seriously though the clutch alignment tools aren't worth much, I ended up eyeballing my last clutch install. If the tranny bolts up as soon as you push the clutch in it's centered, nice invention
Seriously though the clutch alignment tools aren't worth much, I ended up eyeballing my last clutch install. If the tranny bolts up as soon as you push the clutch in it's centered, nice invention
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Hey Roger
Cool idea.
I am no expert and do not fix cars for a living. Let me ask you, what happens if the input shaft on your tool does not turn freely? lf you need to realign the bellhousing, what size offset pins do you buy? I suppose if you do this often and have an entire assortment available or at your disposal, it would not be a problem to keep trying different offsets until you come up with the best choice. To me, a dial indicator tells you exactly what you need to do use and where.
Cool idea.
I am no expert and do not fix cars for a living. Let me ask you, what happens if the input shaft on your tool does not turn freely? lf you need to realign the bellhousing, what size offset pins do you buy? I suppose if you do this often and have an entire assortment available or at your disposal, it would not be a problem to keep trying different offsets until you come up with the best choice. To me, a dial indicator tells you exactly what you need to do use and where.
I've never had to use offsets on a stock bellhousing.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Litchfield CT
good idea
That's a pretty good idea.
I've made a few tools that looked just like yours. In case some new guys want to know how to make one, here's how:
Take ONE big block vette.
Add one pair of 9" or greater slicks.
Rev the motor to about 6,000 RPM
Dump the clutch.
Bingo.
Look under the car after you tow it home, and you'll find Roger's clutch alignment tool stuck to your bellhousing.
but I really do like the idea.
I've made a few tools that looked just like yours. In case some new guys want to know how to make one, here's how:
Take ONE big block vette.
Add one pair of 9" or greater slicks.
Rev the motor to about 6,000 RPM
Dump the clutch.
Bingo.
Look under the car after you tow it home, and you'll find Roger's clutch alignment tool stuck to your bellhousing.
but I really do like the idea.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Many years ago after rebuilding a few Muncie's and "thinking" I knew all there was to know about manual trannys I decided to try some modifications to make shifting easier. I modified the side cover lockout levers
big mistake. First 2-3 shift found the tranny in 2nd and 3rd at the same time. BOOM or bingo,instant clutch tool. No drive shaft loop so I poll-vaulted the driveshaft. What a mess. Needless to say after that I stuck to rebuilding GMs way. Very embarrassing. :o
