Bellhousing question

[patrickt]

I looked at it -- it doesn't look too bad to me at all. Back when I did mine, Lakewood was all there was, and when I was visiting with Doug at ERA he told me how long he spent getting it aligned, like days... weeks... maybe even months -- and this is with the engine outside of the car. Seriously, he did make a big point of it with me, so all I can assume is that it really did require a good bit of man hours to line up properly. Brent says the QTs are much, much better on that point.

[blykins]

What are you going to trim on the non-SFI bells? There's nothing there.

The ones that need trimming are the SFI bells with the 1" of extra flange hanging down, where the bellhousing bolts to the block plate. That's the way the Lakewoods were made and what is being referenced in a lot of the car assembly manuals.

Big difference.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Quick+Time+Bel...6-SFI/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/Quick+Time+Bel...-6056/10002/-1

The Lakewoods are larger bellhousings in many different dimensions, especially weight.

[lippy]

Brent, you're right there isn't that much to cut. But there is something. It looks like you could get an inch or so off it. This is the diagram from the ERA Manual (credit to Bob!) and here are some photos under my car. As I mentioned before, the bellhousing extends below the frame and oil pan by 1.0-1.5". I hope it isn't a problem.

[blykins]

That's all I sell for Cobras because of ground clearance issues. Never had anyone complain yet of them hanging down too low....with Shell Valleys, Kirkhams, CSXs, ERAs, and Uniques.

I would not cut what you have there, as it's not just a lip-flange like the other bells, you would be cutting into the shape of the bell itself and may end up with a hole in the bottom.

[kevins2]

Lippy, that drawing in the ERA manual is for a Lakewood and would also apply to the Quicktime SFI-rated bellhousing. You can clearly see the three bolt holes in that drawing that would be removed - you don't have the SFI bell with that larger flange.

Kevin

[DanEC]

Good point - I have the non-stamped Quicktime. Didn't realize the stamped 6056 had that much bigger a rim.

[lippy]

All good points. My real question is: does it hang down low enough to cause problems, or is it unlikely to be an issue?

[blykins]

Just watch out for deep potholes or large possums.

[patrickt]

For comparison purposes, my trimmed Lakewood...

[DanEC]

Lippy - what oil pan are you using? It's apparently a little shallower than my Canton 810.

I guess it wouldn't be too big of a deal to fab up a 3/16 inch angle of about 45 deg between the legs to bolt to the bottom bellhousing plate fasteners that would act as a skid plate to avoid hitting something on the front vertical lip of the BH.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

Just watch out for deep potholes or large possums.

Large possums near me = deer. They would be a problem.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Lippy - what oil pan are you using? It's apparently a little shallower than my Canton 810.

I guess it wouldn't be too big of a deal to fab up a 3/16 inch angle of about 45 deg between the legs to bolt to the bottom bellhousing plate fasteners that would act as a skid plate to avoid hitting something on the front vertical lip of the BH.

I'm using the Aviaid. It is almost exactly flush with the bottom of the frame. How much does your bell extend below the bottom of the frame?

[patrickt]

You know, occasionally I see roads that are "in between pavings" that have the sewer pipe and cap sticking up above the road surface, sometimes by a couple of inches. If your bellhousing planted a nice, fat kiss on the lip of the sewer pipe you could be in for a world of hurt....

[blykins]

True, but there are road hazards anywhere, and they are no different than if you're driving a new Vette. Owning a Cobra brings the responsibility of having to watch all things just a little bit closer.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by lippy

I'm using the Aviaid. It is almost exactly flush with the bottom of the frame. How much does your bell extend below the bottom of the frame?

It's about an inch below the frame - and maybe a little more - I haven't precisely measured it. It sounds pretty much the same as yours.

[kevins2]

My trimmed SFI Quicktime is 5/8" below the frame, so they all are - it's just a matter of how much.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by DanEC

It's about an inch below the frame - and maybe a little more - I haven't precisely measured it. It sounds pretty much the same as yours.

Thanks. The heck with it. I just won't cruise over any protruding manhole covers or large possums.

[DanEC]

I measured it - it's 1-1/16 inch below the frame rails. It may be very slightly higher than yours because of the spacer I have under my transmission mount. My oil pan is exactly 1 inch below the frame - a little more than I thought.