TKO 600 and bellhousing indexing - Is it necessary?

Mike92GT · Jun 25, 2006

I read an article on how to do it, but it seems to apply more to scattershields. I'm just using the stock-style Ford aluminum bellhousing. How many of you checked the run-out on yours? Any issues? I noticed that my TKO had some vibration in the shifter after the install, not real bad. I don't know what's normal though, so I'm trying to explore all the possibilities. Anyone else notice some shaking in the shifter handle?

blue302stang · Jun 25, 2006

Not sure on the whole bellhousing indexing thing, but there is always going to be shaking in the handle. My stock T5 handle shakes

mat50ho · Jun 25, 2006

Yes it is.
http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=576980

jrichker · Jun 25, 2006

I have never heard of indexing a cast aluminum bellhousing before. I have always heard that it is needed with scattershield bellhousings because of the manufacturing process used to make them.

I personally have had the cast aluminum bellhousing on & off two times and have never had the need to do anything with the alignment. I have no unusual virbrations in my Tremec 3550. I do have a FMS aluminum driveshaft, so that may help.

rdharper02 · Jun 25, 2006

Yep, you will experience more vibration (than usual) and possibly driveline/tranny failure. Most retailers will suggest that you index, but will not come out and say its a must. Good luck. JRichker is probably right (normally always), but I think a 2200 dollar trany set-up is worth the extra trouble.

mat50ho · Jun 25, 2006

Are you using a stock drive shaft ?

If so an aluminum will take away form vibration ?

Try flipping your drive shaft 180 to see if it helps ?

I chased a vibration for weeks fms al drive shaft fixed it .

tunedin302 · Jun 25, 2006

I have a tko and a mcleod scattershield (same as FMS) and was told that indexing is not required on the mcleod scattershield by mcleod and d&d. Mine came with a sticker on top saying it had been centered. The lakewoods do require indexing. Never heard of a non-scattershield bell requiring indexing.

Mike92GT · Jun 25, 2006

Yeah, I have an aluminum driveshaft. I even had the balance checked after replacing the yoke. I have the motor and trans out of my car at the moment, so I figured it would be a good time to index if it is actually needed

Mike92GT · Jun 25, 2006

Did anyone notice whether or not their TKO shifter handle had more vibration in it then their T5? I'm not even sure if I'm getting a vibration, or if it's just normal. It didn't get any worse with speed or RPM

blackcloud50 · Jun 25, 2006

tunedin302 said:
I have a tko and a mcleod scattershield (same as FMS) and was told that indexing is not required on the mcleod scattershield by mcleod and d&d. Mine came with a sticker on top saying it had been centered. The lakewoods do require indexing. Never heard of a non-scattershield bell requiring indexing.

Yep...same here

tunedin302 · Jun 26, 2006

Mike92GT said:
Did anyone notice whether or not their TKO shifter handle had more vibration in it then their T5?

Definately, the TKO is much louder than the T5. At certain RPM's it sounds like a nut grinder. Apparently, this is normal.

352Ford2 · Jun 26, 2006

the only time I have seen it needed on stock bell's is where the engine as been alined bored/honed excessibly (everytime you do that it moves the crank higher in the block), but as said before it never hurts to check, expecialy if you are swapping random parts around.

87'GTstang · Jun 26, 2006

tunedin302 said:
I have a tko and a mcleod scattershield (same as FMS) and was told that indexing is not required on the mcleod scattershield by mcleod and d&d. Mine came with a sticker on top saying it had been centered. The lakewoods do require indexing. Never heard of a non-scattershield bell requiring indexing.

I found that to be such a run-around that it wasn't funny. I got the same deal, tko 600 and the mcleod (M-6392-c???) and I went ahead and threw my dial indicator on it anyway. From all the BS of learning to do it the right way, specs I can spit out is that any steel bellhousing needs .005" or less of runout, aluminum is .015" or less (has more give to it). Well the numbers that I got with the mcleaod were as follows:
....-.001
-.012 +.004 <--- Viewed as a circle obviously
....+.008

It took awhile for me personally to figure it all out but a .007" offset dowel put the final results to the tune of:
....+.003
+.004 +.001
....-.001

I would highly advise indexing it. This doesn't mean that you have to change anything, you are mostly checking runout and correcting IF necessarry. If not, I have heard of some early pilot and input bearing failures as well as premature front seal leaks. Like said though, an aluminum bell has a max permissable runout of .015", steel has .005". I could have probably gotten away with it, but the numbers on the sticker were not what I had coming from my dial indicator....????

tunedin302 · Jun 26, 2006

87'GTstang said:
I could have probably gotten away with it, but the numbers on the sticker were not what I had coming from my dial indicator....????

I had a feeling you were going to say that .... well, next clutch job I know what I'm doing.

Mike92GT · Jun 26, 2006

Those of you that did index yours, can you recommend a good dial indicator set-up for this job? I might go ahead and check mine while it's all apart

mat50ho · Jun 28, 2006

Mike did you read my link ? Buy a god quality dial indicator odds are you will use it more than once.

I have a tko and a mcleod scattershield (same as FMS) and was told that indexing is not required on the mcleod scattershield by mcleod and d&d. Mine came with a sticker on top saying it had been centered. The lakewoods do require indexing. Never heard of a non-scattershield bell requiring indexing.
__________________
Just because the hole is centered dosn't mean your dowl pins are correct. I would reccomend that you index the bell housing. I havn't heard of too many people checking it with a dial indicator and it being with in spec. But eveyone gets lucky sometimes. Regardless it is better to check it then assume it is correct.

Mike92GT · Jun 28, 2006

Thanks Matt. I'm a little confused on setting up the indicator though. It seems that if the magnetic stand isn't Perfectly centered on the flywheel, you will get a false reading? Or am I mistaken?

Aliate X · Jun 29, 2006

tunedin302 said:
Definately, the TKO is much louder than the T5. At certain RPM's it sounds like a nut grinder. Apparently, this is normal.

Yeah my TKO is a noise machine too. It sounds cool though. You get used to it.

mat50ho · Jun 29, 2006

Mike92GT said:
Thanks Matt. I'm a little confused on setting up the indicator though. It seems that if the magnetic stand isn't Perfectly centered on the flywheel, you will get a false reading? Or am I mistaken?

It does not need to be centered the flywheel and the base with both turn when the engine it turned over by hand.

Btw since you have the motor out index the bell housing now. It wil save alot of time and headache.

Matt

Brads Coupe · Jun 29, 2006

You definitely want to use some sort of dial indicator. Even the slightest bit out can cause issues with alignment which causes wear on your throwout bearing, miss shifts, vibration, all sorts of stuff.

Trust me. Don't take short cuts, it will bite you in the ass in the end.

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