McLeod FE Bellhousings

[blykins]

Does McLeod have any SFI bellhousings for the FE? I've seen Jimi G mention there are bellhousings that don't have to be dialed in. Is that true? I can only find their modular piece on their website.

[Woodz428]

I don't believe there is any blow proof housing that doesn't need dialed in. You may get one that is right on out of the box, but it would be more luck than by design.

[blykins]

Check out this thread...

Tranny Spacer

Check out Jimi G's comment about McLeod's and no need to dial them in.

[Woodz428]

I am familair with that post and would have to say that Jimi has been lucky. According to the Mcleod facs page, they stress the importance of bellhousing alignment "because of manufacturing variations" as well as engine machine work. I also know that within the last couple months that a Mcleod phone Tech person stated that ALL their bellhousings should be "dialed -in". That's not to say that you may install one and it will be correct, I am saying that it would be a luck of the draw situation, especially when Mcleod themselves state it. My experience with their poorly balanced flywheel would make me double check ANYTHING that they produce...even a flat washer.

[RICK LAKE]

Blykins Every bell housing needs to be checked. You may get lucky and not need any adjustment. Unless you have a strange motor to trans combo, I don't know why you would not go with a Lakewood housing. Multipieces being "BOLTED TOGEATHER"? No thank you. I am sure that Mcleod has done the tests to ensure there bellhousing is SFI rated. I will stick to a 1 piece bellhousing. Is there pins to keep the pieces from moving around? The rear plates are inter changable. I would weld those pieces togeather after it was centered. 1 bellhousing to one engine block. Togeather for life. Rick L.

[decooney]

If you want to make sure shifting is smooth with less drag/side load on the input shaft, you need to 1) check it 2) dial it in.

The difference between one setup that is dialed in, and another that is not and misaligned, can be a noticeable difference in functionality. It's worth taking the extra time to do it right the first time. Not all FE blocks are equal.

[Rory428]

Saying that a bellhousing doesn`t need to be "dialed in" is a lot like saying that you can just install a crankshaft without checking the bearing clearance. You MAY get lucky, but why take the chance. Consider that many FE engines are old enough to possibly been rebuilt several times, including align boring or honing, which would move the crankshaft closer towards the top of the block. Of course this would affect the bellhousing positioning. I have just recieved my 4th FE Lakewood scattershield last week, all were dialed in, and all required the use of the offset dowel pins to get everything alighned properly. I also have a McLeod scattershield on my 302 Mustang, which also needed dialing in, just as the Lakewood before it required. Just set it up properly, and KNOW that everything is where it is supposed to be!

[Cobrabill]

Lakewoods were,are and always will be a nightmare.Mcleod makes a superior piece.And if multiple parts was an issue,it wouldn't be SFI rated.

[The Dreamer]

And if multiple parts was an issue,it wouldn't be SFI rated

Last time I checked, they weren't SFI rated. If they are that is good, but when they originally came out, they were not.

[holman-moody]

Check out Quicktime >>>> http://www.quicktimeinc.com/products.html

I was told that they will be releasing TWO versions for the FE in the next few weeks.

One standard size for toploaders, etc and one longer version for the TKO so you don't have to use the shorter input shaft.

[xracerbob]

That would be awesome-strong, lightweight and gotta be better quality than the Lakewood.