i was wondering has anyone cut there bellhousing off themselves to install a jw ultra bell? also does anyone have any pictures? im looking for some of the pan area how close to those bolts do you have to cut?

thanks

 

If you read the directions it will tell you not to cut the pan rail. Sorry I do not have any pictures of this. However in the past I have found that it is best to install the pump in the trans so you know how far you will have to modify the case. One of the guys I use to work with came up with an idea to drill holes from the inside of the bell as a marker. This way when you cut it with a sawzall you could see where you needed to cut from the outside with the case clamped to a bench. Once you get the bell off and you are close you can grind the case down and start fitting the bell. I have found in some cases that you will have to grind down the area where the bolt holes for the pan are on either the case or the bell. I have always massaged the bell a bit and its never been an issue. If the trans is not apart make sure to seal up all openings of the trans so you do not get metal in it from the case. HTH Vince

 

thank you for the info and tip about drilling the holes, shouldn't be to bad.

 

i was turned on to this page which make it seems very easy,

http://www.banningcohen.com/buick/th400/index.htm

the only question i have is do you have to remove the pump?

my trans was just rebuilt and dont want to mess with the internals if i dont have to.

 

I think you should be able to do this with the pump still in the trans. I would be careful depending on if you are cutting from the outside of the bell towards the pump. Obviously the pump bolts and stator tube could be damaged if you hit them. I would make sure to run the blade on an angle to avoid having this issue. Just be careful and you should be fine. Vince

 

ok thanks, bell housing is suppose to be here tomorrow ill update with some pics.

 

A flapper wheel on a 4" grinder works well to clean up your cut as well!!!

Greg

 

yep have to use the flapper wheel the grinder was worthless besides a cut off wheel to start my cut. thanks again guys for the info

 

i just re installed my th400 and with it all bolted up the converter is a little bit away from the flex plate. when i installed the trans the first time i dont remember this gap, the trans was rebuilt and a ultra bell was installed, measuring the old bell housing and comparing to the ultra bell they are the same length. newb question can i pull the converter out this much or do i need to put a washer between the converter and the flywheel? im using the tci flexplate and a ls1-th400 converter heres a pic of the gap .. ..

 

curious if it hurts the int. of the trans when you cut the BH off-i know their making tons of power running these things, but always wondered if it weakend the case any
way back in the day i made a clutch turbo (Fairbanks kit) i would come off the line dam near side steping the clutch pedal at prob over 6K, shifting over 8K (ah, the younger days, lol) it finally ripped the pump bolts out
now that was a brutal thing on the street, lol

 

ive never heard of it hurting the internals, its suppose to keep the rest of the casing from cracking also because now the power isn't going through the case its all being transferd through the pump. but i can see your point, i have no idea, ha!

 

I've personally never seen this mod weaken the case. If anything it makes it stronger but that's my opinion. Looks like you did a great job! Vince

 

i put a washer between the converter and flywheel to get 3/16" and then pulled the converter to the flywheel,

thanks! for the kind words vince