Author Topic: Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help  (Read 970 times)

Offline Tonker1

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Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help
« on: July 17, 2013 - 08:47:20 AM »
The old dowel pins have been removed and trying to install some new Lakewood 0 offset dowels and they just won't go in.  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lak-15945/overview/make/dodge

The furthest I have gotten the dowel into my 340 is 1/8" or 3.2mm not counting the chamfered end.

I started out by cleaning the holes in the block, greased both the pin and the hole. A club hammer has not been effective past the first 1/8". Especially considering the engine is still in the car and there is not much space to swing the hammer.

Next approach was to use a G clamp with a fine grade thread. To apply some gradually increasing pressure and have made no further progress.

I would prefer not to remove the engine as the only space in front of my car is a steep driveway, so a hoist would be awkward and there is not transmission installed so I can't drive the car to flat ground

Any suggestions would be excelent?

Does anyone know if any company make these but with 0 offset?
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/dowels.html




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2013 - 10:23:52 AM »
I would make the dowels smaller , file sandpaper , lathe etc

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2013 - 05:14:55 PM »
Best to get a dial caliper and measure the o.d. of the pin and the i.d. of the hole. If you
keep trying the c-clamp you just might crack the bell housing.  .0005 to .001 is plenty of press fit.
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline Tonker1

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Re: Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2013 - 06:29:28 AM »
I would make the dowels smaller , file sandpaper , lathe etc

Worked perfectly. I spent ages yesterday trying different techniques to get them in. I don't have a lathe so I put them in the drill press, about 30 seconds with a file and another 20 with sandpaper to smooth the surface and they went in nicely.

Thanks for the awesome help!

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing Bellhousing Dowel Pins... Help
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2013 - 08:46:31 AM »
 :2thumbs:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t