I got to spend some more of my non-existant free time working on the car. Still trying to get the tremmec TKO in. As far as setting up the bellhousing, I got it damn near perfect. The parallelism is ~ +/- .002" and the concentricity is < .0005".

Looks great... Transmission should run like a champ...

But, the adapter plate isnt so great. Im quite unimpressed with it. Due to their tolerances, its able to move around in the register bore some. The concentricity is variable, and the error is at, or just slightly over, .005". Tremec recommends that the max be .005". Ill be using a centerforce dual friction clutch, and centerforce also recommends that the alightment error be no greater then .005". In addition, they also recommend that the out of parallelism be no greater then .002". I measured the free play of the clutch hub on the input shaft and it looks like centerforce really means it. Right now Im skating right on the very edge of the tolerances that are allowed.

Question is, will I be alright? Can I expect any issues with this? It looks like tremec and centerforce really quite literally like to split hairs when it comes to tolerances.

 

Years ago when we were installing Muncie 4 speeds, this was a "major" problem. The "aftermarket" block plates, & scatter sheilds, etc. were junk when it came to tolerances. I would strive for .002" max., anything more than this, would break tranmissions. I can't verify this, but most of this stuff was made in China (for over 30 years now), and they must have had a "bad" block to start with, to make their forms from. So I am not surprised to "see" this still.

 

All the aftermarket stuff seems to be junk. The only stuff that ever seems to work is actual production parts that where meant to be used in an actual car. The aftermarket crap doesnt even seem to be designed to work.

The adapter plate was no exception. Didnt even come close to fitting without lots of grinding so it cleared everything. I tried to use offset dowels to correct for the plate, but it turned out that I was trying to hit a moving target, so I went back to standard straight dowels. Turns out this fixed another problem as the stock ones had worn into an oval shape for whatever reason.

What the hell am I to do, though? I was looking at McLeods rather expensive housings and they show that damn adapter plate right in the picture with the housing, so it looks like Id be stuck with it no matter what. Id have to go and steal the original solid CAD model, adjust the dimensions to whats ACTUALLY needed, and have someone CNC it for me.

 

What Tremec trans are trying to use? A GM spec TKO 600, Ford spec or an older 3550? The GM spec one will have a tag# TCET 5009 on it. If this what you have, a standard Mcleod 8630 bell is all you need, no adapter. I have connections for Mcleod & Tremec & may be able to help if want PM me.

 

At the time I ordered it, which was a long time ago, I spec'd the kit for an existing manual swap as I already had alot of the T-5 stuff. I wasnt aware that the standard GM unit would work (who would've guessed? ). If thats the case, then I dont know why they even woulve shippped the ford unit (#5201) as the cost of a new bellhousing wouldve been comprable, or a bit more, then the adapter plate. They should discontinue it altogether and just roll the bellhousing into the kit if thats the case.

In the long run, I really dont care, but if they cant make the damn plate right to begin with then it becomes a huge problem.

 

They have only been making the GM one for about a year or two now.

 

A lot of Tremec dealers only stock the Ford units & sell the adapters to fit GM. I waited about 2 months to get the GM unit. Since they are the same price as the Ford unit, your total cost is less since you do not need the adapter. Another option would be to get a Mcleod unit & Ebay your other stuff. How are you going about clutch actuation? Hydraulic or manual. I had some issues with the T5 hydraulics not having enough travel to disengage the clutch. I am now waiting for McLeod to make me a bolt on Hydraulic TO bearing. If I only knew this crap afew months ago... O well I guess somebody has to break new ground. Fortunetly The Tremec dealer I am working with is very helpful.

 

Ill be using the stock bellhousing and all stock components. In theory it should work ok.

Oh, ok.

 

Just out of curiosity, I wonder who makes or made the adapter plates?

 

Found out who makes them...


Its Mcleod. Not much of a surprise. What a bunch of jackasses. From what I heard, the brain doners over there basically just went off some plans they got from tremec to make them. Didnt even bother to verify if they would actually work in a car, nor do any quality control. Its not like the transmissions have exacting tolerances or anything like that.

I figured as much. Their stratagy is to basically make their products expensive so they appear to be high quality. At least Mr. Gasket doesnt charge alot for their junk. This was the whole reason I avoided buying an aftermarket bellhousing in the first place. And after all that, I get hung up up the aftermarket adapter plate instead.

Im getting another one shipped out to me. Im hoping its better, but it probably wont be.

 

I got the other one. Meh... The worst case is around .004" off center. Could be alot better if they put some thought into it and reduced the tolerances on the bellhousing side of things.

This one still suffers from the issue of not clearing the bolts for the front bearing retainter. Its very subtle, and would be easily missed, but its ever so slightly riding up on the bolt heads. I imagine alot of people where probably effected by this. Also takes about two hours of grinding to fix the problem. They should have resolved all of this before I ever even got it, especially cosidering the prices they charge. Man Im pissed... From what I hear, their bellhousings arnt that great, either.

 

Sorry to sound a little ignorant, but is this your dealings with the Lakewood bellhousing (#15020)? I couldn't help but notice you're having some problem making sure the bellhousing, adapter plate, and the tremec all line up.

Reason I'm asking is I'm going to go with a tremec in the next couple months and have been debating on using the stock bellhousing or the Lakewood version. I've read people having mixing experiences with that bellhousing.

 

I dont think the plates are available now to adapt the ford trans to the GM bellhousing. I didnt see them available for selection, anyway. They made 500 of them, and I think only a hundred or so are left. One problem with any adapter plate is that not only is there the out of concentricity, but the clearance in the adapter plate also has to be taken into account. The one I have now is .003" off center with an extra .0015" from clearance between the adapter plate and the bellhousing register bore, so it could be up to around .0045". Still within tolerance, but not as close as Id like.

A bellhousing would be easier, but even then your at the mercy of the manufacturer, which in this case will be McLeod. They didnt seem to care too much with the plates. There was alot of variance between each of the plates I got. Not to mention that it didnt fit without lots of grinding on the plate and the bellhousing to get it to fit. Lots of people probably put these in without a second thought. *** only knows how the entire bellhousing would be.

FWIW, the stock bellhousing I have is very precise and centered for all practical purposes, since its actually made to work on a car. My snap-on gauge is good down to .0005", and it doesnt deviate from zero when checking the bellhousing concentricity. Its also parallel with the engine to within a thousanth or so from what I can tell. If I where to do it again, Id probably snag a good used or new T-56 and a stock setup off of a fourth gen. Its made by GM to work on a GM car, and it should work with little headache.

 

I have a tremec 3550 in my 88 camaro. I used the Lakewood 15020. The ford style tremec bolted right up to it. I used the spohn crossmember and everything bolted right in. The hardest thing as all find out, is getting a shifter to work without it hitting the console. I have done a few tremec converisions and never had a problem using these parts.

The other nice thing to look into is the McLeod hyd. throwout bearing setup. You can get a metal master cylinder instead of the garbage plastic one and stainless braided line.

 

quote
"The other nice thing to look into is the McLeod hyd. throwout bearing setup. You can get a metal master cylinder instead of the garbage plastic one and stainless braided line.

I have read some bad reports on this item also. Problem being a short life span.