How to align AX15 Bellhousing
 

Hey,

I am slowly putting together my MB diesel into a Jeep TJ. I am using the om602 and a AX15. The issue of today is the alignment of the bellhousing. The AX15 doesn't have a round rear hole so I was trying to figure how to align it to the adapter plate.

The AX15 I am using is on the left:

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/...ps986dfd20.jpg

If the back was a simple round hole, I could use a dial indicator. Any ideas or tips?
Thanks!
HC

:argh:

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The Bellhousing is the one on the right. This one is on the adapter mocked-up:
http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s594/sierra_dave/bellhousing2socket_zps706e2a85.jpg
I have a socket in the pilot bushing for reference.

Any ideas ?

Bolt the trans up and use the release brg collar as the true center.

Hey FTE

I'm not sure I follow you. Do you mean bolt up the bellhousing back onto the trans and with the fork & release in spec the distance to the outside of the collar from 12/3/6/9 o'clock positions? The collar is real loose it just clips on the fork so transferring it back would leave me off?

The second photo should show the bellhousing mocked-up to the adapter plater.

http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/sierra_dave/media/bellhousing2socket_zps706e2a85.jpg.html

I see you already have the adapter plate made, so I'm not sure what you need. The adapter plate should be lined up if it was made correctly. I was referring to the collar that the throwout brg slides on, it is true center of the trans, the input shaft is as well, but it has some side to side play (thats why a pilot brg is needed).

Hey FTE,

Although I am not using a Novak this time, I have used them before. On their webpage is a great explanation of the process of alignment, among other things. I had the adapter plate made, but it was not within .005 of spec.

The Novak Guide to Clutches, Linkages & Bellhousings for Jeeps

I have had the engine mated to the transmission once already, but I would like to avoid future headaches and get this thing closer to spec. When I did the last engine swap and went to mount the trans, I dialed in the dead center using a dial indicator mounted on the flywheel's edge. That bellhousing had a round rear hole - gm trans.

Here, I have an irregular bellhousing rear hole...that's the problem.

I have measured from the top 4 bolts to the collar and then added the diameter. I was going to put a 13/16 rod into the pilot and then measure to it, but still not real accurate.

These are aluminum housings and take a beating in Jeeps, I gotta believe that transmission shops have to realign them all the time...I was wondering what's the trick to align them?
:argh:
HC

The only other thing I could offer is use another bell with the same bolt pattern (Small blk mopar) with a round hole and center with that. The proper way to make adapters is to have allignment dowels to locate true center.

I would try putting the transmission on there as if you were mounting it. Get the input shafts lined up like normal with pilot bearings and such. Then mark where the bellhousing is on your adapter, and make the necessary changes at that point to bolt the bell to the adapter.

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make sure the depth is correct also. depth of shaft in pilot bearing