Lakewood vs. Quicktime Bellhousing

[Ralphy]

As best I know the spacer is used so you do not have to cut the Tremec input shaft off. Tremec also sells a input shaft to do away with this issue, but $$$.

[blykins]

The Quicktime is a better manufactured bellhousing. Half the weight, smaller footprint.

Prestolite now owns both Lakewood and Quicktime and they are phasing out the Lakewood bellhousings.

Both require a block plate (part of the protection of a steel bellhousing).

The Quicktime can use the stock starter.

The Quicktime is available in either flavor, so you can buy one to use the regular length TKO input, or buy one to use a Toploader length input. (Which one you need will depend on which Cobra you have....i.e. a Kirkham necessitates the use of a short input shaft trans, thus forcing you into a Toploader style bellhousing.)

You will need to dial both of them in (at least check), but chances are that the Lakewood will need adjusting. I've had a few Quicktimes that also needed it, but in general, they are very nicely manufactured and machined. Keep in mind that if your block has had a lot of machine work done (line bored, etc.) that this can affect the centerline of the crankshaft, thus affecting how the bellhousing sits in relation to the crank.

[dallas_]

I agree with blykins on the Quicktime.

I found that the starter hole on my blockplate had to be clearanced just a bit for the starter to engage the flywheel properly. But that was on a SBF so yours may not need that. It wouldn't hurt to check it before you reinstall though.

[RodKnock]

I can't wait for D-Cel's post. Let me just say, he's on record that he doesn't like QT bellhousings and he doesn't like the way they advertise them as SFI-rated, if I'm remembering correctly.

My QT bellhousing needed no adjustment. Fit perfectly.

If you want D-Cel's opinion, then I would do a search. It's always good to hear opposing opinions.

[DanEC]

Kevin - I went with the Quicktime and even had KC go ahead and zero it in for me although I have done it before on other motors. It's lighter, physically more compact, and you don't have to saw the bottom off so that it won't hang on curbs and speed bumps. Nothing against Lakewood - I just think Quicktime is a step forward.

[gsharapa]

I have a Quicktime also on 427/496 KC FE. I have TKO 600 with the short input shaft as you can buy them either way. The specs on my car are identical to CSX4000/Kirkham and really made for a 4 speed but with the Qucktime and short shaft TKO600 everything lined up and bolted right in. I sent my bellhousing to Keith Craft and he did dial check it prior to shipping my engine to me.

I had a lakewood an two previous Cobras and they were heavier and more difficult in my opinion to install and also don't look as good. I had a clutch blow up on me in a 1970 Boss 302 and made a mess but these cars are so light and clutches are so good now I'm not really worried about that any more.

[Mark IV]

Our experience is that the Quicktime is much less likely to need adjustment to dial in properly.

The "SFI" thing is that QT sells several of the same application units in both SFI approved and non-SFI models. I have been told the only difference is the SFI certification decal and that if you don't need the cert choose the cheaper, non cert version.

Don't know for sure if that is true, your results may vary.

[mdross1]

Have had my Lakewood for a lot of years with flange trimmed for road clearance and it needed no adjustment.Never heard of Quicktime until reading about them here,maybe cause I never looked.Love knowing the steel bell is there after seeing a sbc Corvette almost cut in half at drag strip many years ago with flywheel explosion.