LIBERTY BELLhousing
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
LIBERTY BELLhousing
Well I took my trans out this weekend to put a clutch in the Vette. So today I took my bellhousing to work to clean up. After cleaning ti I'm wiping it down and notice there's some pretty big cracks in it. I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this and what you did. I've looked for a replacement and can't find one. And I know you can't weld magnesium. So is there any type of epoxy I can use and/or maybe rivet reenforcement plates over the cracks. Any suggestions would help. I'm at my wits end with this car, I've had it for 8 months and every thing I remove to repair reveals two more broken things below it, PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one!!!
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by ultraviolet70
Well I took my trans out this weekend to put a clutch in the Vette. So today I took my bellhousing to work to clean up. After cleaning ti I'm wiping it down and notice there's some pretty big cracks in it. I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this and what you did. I've looked for a replacement and can't find one. And I know you can't weld magnesium. So is there any type of epoxy I can use and/or maybe rivet reenforcement plates over the cracks. Any suggestions would help. I'm at my wits end with this car, I've had it for 8 months and every thing I remove to repair reveals two more broken things below it, PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one!!!
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
1. safety - you blow a tranny - and it's the bell housing protecting your legs and family jewels - that why many race organizations require "blow proof" bell housings in high performance classes.
2. What caused the cracks in the first place?
If it were me I would replace it. Lots of places sell used parts - and new aluminum or steel versions are available from numerous sources!
I am going through the same process - as you work your way through the car - you always come across more potential or real problems. Be patient and keep after it - you will end up with a much better car that what you bought!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
Originally Posted by ultraviolet70
Well I took my trans out this weekend to put a clutch in the Vette. So today I took my bellhousing to work to clean up. After cleaning ti I'm wiping it down and notice there's some pretty big cracks in it. I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this and what you did. I've looked for a replacement and can't find one. And I know you can't weld magnesium. So is there any type of epoxy I can use and/or maybe rivet reenforcement plates over the cracks. Any suggestions would help. I'm at my wits end with this car, I've had it for 8 months and every thing I remove to repair reveals two more broken things below it, PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one!!!
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
Sorry forgot to mention '91 L98/M6 coupe
my bell is aluminum...didn't look at the one in the car closely, but i have several other chevy aluminum bells from trucks, sedans,etc that all have casting flaws that look like cracks.
if yours is cracked, and aluminum, welding it will distort it and machine work to restore critical dimensions will cost more than a replacement (unless you've got access to a machine shop for free like me)
bellhsg parallelism and concentricity are very important for proper transmission function.
Last edited by redrose; Apr 19, 2006 at 10:13 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Kiesler, the tranny conversion people, I believe sell bellhousings to go with their tranny swaps. You could buy a new one from them which will not only fit, but also be large enough to go to a larger flywheel and a 11" clutch..... 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Carlisle Ohio
Yes, I have seen the magesium one crack, in fact I split mine in two, it ran from block edge to block edge all the way over the top, I attributed it to my solid motor mounts, I went to an aluminum one and it has held up good so far, I am in the process of converting a steel lakewood to fit the zf6, that should take care of any chance to brake and also safer if the clutch explodes.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 2
From: Thomson Georgia
I'm interested in your conversion of the Lakewood bellhousing. A lot of things are really different with the ZF bellhousing vs the conventional bellhousing.
To my knowledge, Keisler does not make anything for the ZF tranny and ZF bellhousing.
You are kind of limited in bellhousing selection, there's a billet bellhousing available from Sweden, for the tune of around $3800.00
To my knowledge, Keisler does not make anything for the ZF tranny and ZF bellhousing.
You are kind of limited in bellhousing selection, there's a billet bellhousing available from Sweden, for the tune of around $3800.00
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Carlisle Ohio
Originally Posted by johnnyevans
I'm interested in your conversion of the Lakewood bellhousing. A lot of things are really different with the ZF bellhousing vs the conventional bellhousing.
To my knowledge, Keisler does not make anything for the ZF tranny and ZF bellhousing.
You are kind of limited in bellhousing selection, there's a billet bellhousing available from Sweden, for the tune of around $3800.00
To my knowledge, Keisler does not make anything for the ZF tranny and ZF bellhousing.
You are kind of limited in bellhousing selection, there's a billet bellhousing available from Sweden, for the tune of around $3800.00
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
Originally Posted by USAsOnlyWay
Kiesler, the tranny conversion people, I believe sell bellhousings to go with their tranny swaps. You could buy a new one from them which will not only fit, but also be large enough to go to a larger flywheel and a 11" clutch.....
L88's used a 12-3/4'' 153 tooth flywheel w/ 10.5'' clutch, 15 lb wheel--good for 10k rpm per gm...ought to hold any small block...flywheel still available from gm for about $200 last i knew...h.d. pressure plate might be too much for your girlfriend tho
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Originally Posted by johnnyevans
To my knowledge, Keisler does not make anything for the ZF tranny and ZF bellhousing.
I didn't catch the ZF, but to my defense I made the post at 3 in the morning.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
Originally Posted by stairman
Yes, I have seen the magesium one crack, in fact I split mine in two, it ran from block edge to block edge all the way over the top, I attributed it to my solid motor mounts, I went to an aluminum one and it has held up good so far, I am in the process of converting a steel lakewood to fit the zf6, that should take care of any chance to brake and also safer if the clutch explodes.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Carlisle Ohio
I am not sure what years had aluminum, not sure if GM still sells it or not, I go to the corvette slavage guys for mine, try someone like vette to vette to see if they have one first, there is a slight difference in the starter area, the aluminum one is a little larger but it is a direct bolt up to the engine and tranny, get the cover plate with the bellhousing.