bellhousing dowel pins

[Mike71Cuda]

After installing my engine and lining up with trans I noticed I do not have dowel pins on block. Now that I have everything together shoudl I use the offset pins (Lakewood Ind.)? I am assuming they will install easier than having to pound in the straight pins, with probably no clearance? Obviously the smart thing would have been to do this before but that ship has sailed. Any thoughts either way? What have your experiences been?
Thx
Smitty

[70RT/SE]

I am assuming this is a manual tranny. You should align your bellhousing with a dial indicator, The bellhousing should be concentric with the crankshaft within .005" (.010 TIR).
I used these dowel pins....http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/dowels.html
They are much easier to work with. I think Robb is an engineer at Mallory who designed them.

[matt63]

The Lakewood offset pins still have to be pushed in.  You can dial in your bell housing with straight pins and see what you get for run out if you want.  You might luck out. The process does take time and I remember ruining one set of pins.  I believe Lakewoods instructions were pretty good.  A small dial indicator and a proper fixture for the crank will make the job a lot easier too.

[Robb]

I am assuming this is a manual tranny. You should align your bellhousing with a dial indicator, The bellhousing should be concentric with the crankshaft within .005" (.010 TIR).

yep     gotta do this.

[LAA66]

 Unless your transmission (4 speed) always bolts up the same it needs to be dialed in also.

 The early Lakewood bellhousings had a larger opening then the the front retainer on the trans. The 4 bolts attaching the trans allow a lot of play so each removal/installation changed the location. Went through many clutches, pilot bearings, and even ruined a crank do the the excessive pressures on the thrust bearing from the improper alignment. Eventually figured it out and had both the bellhousing and the trans indexed. Had to have a collar made for the bellhouse/retainer to insure a tight, proper fit every time.      

[matt63]

My Lakewood bellhousing came with a metal ring to insert in the opening where the transmission locates.  I assumed it was to accommodate front bearing retainers of different sizes.