Gauge

iTrader: (3)

Hey all,

I've been having drivetrain-related issues for a year now, and I'm absolutely sick to death of it. My current problem has been ongoing now for about three months. So, here's the history...

I bought a new McLeod twin disk clutch and a QuickTime bellhousing and had them installed on my car. All was well except that there was an RPM-related vibration that was only at 6000+ RPMs. The vibration was violent enough that I wasn't comfortable with it and was afraid I might be wearing out the rear main bearing in the engine.

So, I pulled the tranny and had the clutch balanced. I put everything back together, and the issue had not changed a bit. So, next, I pulled the tranny and put the stock bellhousing back in without making any other changes. The problem was completely resolved.

At that point, I called CMS (who sold me the bellhousing) and told them what the deal was. They were very cool about it and had me send the bellhousing back to QuickTime. About a week later, a new bellhousing was at my door. I tried putting it in, but it wouldn't quite fit over the dowel pins on my transmission. So, I sent it back to QuickTime again, and they opened the holes up by just a hair, and sent it back.

Yesterday, I put the bellhousing back in the car, and the ******* vibration is back in full force. This leaves me to wonder what in the hell is going on. This is the second bellhousing to cause this problem, and they claim to have a bunch of them in the field that don't have this issue.

Now, it could be that their product sucks, but I'm starting to doubt that. I'm starting to think that I might have a serious problem that is masked by the weakness of the aluminum bellhousing and shines clear as day with the rigidity of the steel scattershield. What in the world could the problem be, though?!

jmm98LS1

iTrader: (28)

Sounds to me like the aftermarket bellhousing is off center, putting your input shaft slightly off from the crank centerline. I'm not sure if it's the same on LS1's, but with most aftermarket bellhousings for sbc/bbc they sell adjustable dowel kits to help you dial in the bellhousing to the crankshaft centerline.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

I would have to agree the aftermarket bell is at fault. The problem is only there when???
The aluminumn bell couldn't mask anything like that just like the steel one doesn't. The problem is with the bellhousing.
Get a blanket & be done with it lol.

ls1 joe

iTrader: (37)

We had the same issue with the Mcleod. Unfortunantly we have a way to resolve it but would not be easy with the engine in the car. We have to dial the bellhousing in on the engine stand everytime especially since we have a Browell. They are the ones that told us about the centerline issues and since we had a horrible vibration with our old unit, we have since bought the tools to dial in bellhousings.

I (at one time) explain to gilbert for you how to do it. I don't think they have the adjustable dials but I could be wrong.

Amber

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

Couple questions here. I thought that a blanket was for the transmission and couldn't be used as a safety against a clutch letting go. Am I wrong?

Also, is this something that would actually pass tech at a track?



Amber, thanks very much for the reply. If I stick with the bellhousing, I will definitely be bringing my car down to see you. You've definitely earned some business from me over the past few months, but you don't get it since you're down in H-town.

bigdsz

iTrader: (1)

Those are some interesting comments Amber, I and a friend of mine are both using Mcleod with no issues. Guess we were lucky.

ls1 joe

iTrader: (37)

I think after we sen our Mcleod back early last year with the complaints they have made a few changes. Out of all we sold only 1 other one had issues like ours. You are lucky from the sounds of the issues Gauge is having.

Amber

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

Amber,

I'm going to give you a call here on Monday about this. I might be hauling the car down to see you or something. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but this needs to get fixed. Thanks for all your help and advice.


- Tony

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

I've purchased a McLeod bellhousing which should be here in a week or so. I'm going to slap that on the car to see if I still have a problem. If so, then I'll return the QT bellhousing for a refund. Otherwise, I guess the car has to go to Amber because there's no way that both QT bellhousings AND the McLeod are all not true. It has to be something wrong with the tranny if the the McLeod has the same problem.

bigdsz

iTrader: (1)

FWIW choose you bolt lengths carefully.
make sure they are long enough to use up most of the threads , but not too long to crack the block. If they are too short you will mess up the threads. Also grinding down the oil pan isn't difficult , but make sure the fit is right for the engine plate. I welded up a good bit of the hole on the drivers side of the engine so if the clutch blew less metal would fly out.

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

Well, I now have a new McLeod bellhousing on the car (didn't use the motor plate, and it only took about 90 minutes of cutting and grinding to get it to fit like a glove), and the problem is gone. The QuickTime bellhousing was the culprit.

DaddySS

Thanks for keeping us posted, good info.