Lakewood Headache
 

I am using a Lakewood bellhousing and when I built the Cobra, almost 2 years ago, I did not know any better and figured that since the bellhousing was made for the FE engine and when I sat it on the dowels all the holes lined up, that I just needed to bolt up and go. Well as many of you know that is not how it works.

After destroying a ring gear on the fly wheel and at least 3 gears on my starter, I went through the process of replacing the ring gear gear and trying to get a measurement to see how to adjust the bellhousing. Try as I may, I just could not figure it out. My dial indicator does not fit well in the bell housing so I can not adjust it at a 90 degree to the opening.

I also bolted up the starter to see how it was contacting the flywheel and the teeth are not fully engageing because the starter it too far off to the right...when looking at the rear of the engine.

This whole thing is giving me a big headache. So much so, I took put the engine in the back of my blazer today and took it to a local shop that builds race cars ( and has helped me countless times before). After a conversation on the pains of getting Lakewoods perfect, I came to the conclusion that this was just too much of a pain. They showed me a "scatter Blanket" that they use sometimes and offered to order one for me if I wanted. I believe that these are approved for racing (which I do not do) or they would not use them. I would have to check to be sure before I bought one as I do like having my feet at the end of my legs. :)

The plan would be to replace my Lakewood with a stock bellhousing so may starter and everything else would be in the correct place. Use the " scatter Blanket" for the added security and go on with my Cobra driving.

Has anyone used one of these blankets? Will the same spacer I use on my Lakewood with my Tremec bolt up to the stock bell housing. Has anyone had this (lakewood alignment problem) happen to them. Will the stock bellhousing solve my alignment problems?

Dennis, I have had no problems with my Lakewood (other than originally aligning the &%^$#@ bellhousing!), but it's only been 3 months, too. The cast/machined factory housing should solve your problem, and for street use, the blanket seems like a suitable and very good alternative to the scattershield. I've heard good things about them over the years...anyone else heard (or experienced) good or bad?
For what it's worth, I borrowed an articulated magnetic stand, mounted it to my flywheel, and set the indicator to read against the transmission input hole, rolled the motor over, tapped on the housing, rolled it some more (and tapped, and rolled, and tapped, and...well you get it). Royal pain, but finally got it to about 0.002" total runout. You're welcome to use my setup if you want.

Ken,

What part of town do you live in? I may need to see what you used and give it another try. My stock bellhousing won't be here for 3 or 4 days.

I live near Sugarland.

Dennis, you have mail...call me @ 713/301-1492. I'm in the Copperfield area...20 miles north of you on Hwy 6

Dennis, I have used safety blankets in the past, but only on automatic transmissions. Luckily, I have never put one to the test. Chances of blowing up a clutch behind a 428 is pretty close to Nil- With 3.98" stroke, the bottom end will come apart first. Really, the alignment needs to be checked with a stock bellhousing also, not just a Lakewood. The Lakewood housings bolt holes are drilled a touch oversize to allow alignment adjustment. Usually, starter misalignment is not a problem. Hope I can help. Later, David Shelton.

Thanks to Steve Rau the bell housing got aligned. It took us more hrs that I would like to admit ( and a few more than I think Steve planned for) but at least it's done!

Thanks to Paul Risch for the use of his garage until 3am this morning.

Thanks to Ken Smith, for encouragement on this project and a good lunch.

Thanks to Chad and Scott for helping me pull that beast of a motor out of the Car.

If I forgot anyone I'm sorry. It's great to have all the great Houston Cobra guys around.

We have used Lakewoods on FE engines for years. Up until a few years ago, they frequently required offset dowels. The quality now is much improved, alignment-wise, and we rarely need the fix anymore. And we still check every one...