Ok, let me start by saying I am an idiot. Now that’s out of the way᠁.can I put my early 235 w/ factory 3spd transmission back together WITHOUT 2 of the dowel pins in the crank / flyweel?
The reason I’m asking, I attempted to install my flywheel. Laying under the the truck, I could see the bottom dowel pin and the center hub were aligned, so I started the flywheel bolts and systematically tightened a little at a time, pulling my flywheel up flush. It was a tight pull all the way, which should have shown I had a problem. When I got it all together and started to torque the bolts, I noticed that two of the dowels were not sticking through the flywheel. Come to find out, I had the pins / holes out of alignment and ultimately pressed the other 2 dowel pins back through the crank. Everything seems to be turning free, but 2 of the dowel pins are protruding inward instead of outward. My question again, will it be OK to run it this way, without 2 of the dowel pins sticking through the flyweel holes? Again᠁.I AM AN IDIOT.
Last edited by Dltalfa; 09/04/202310:05 PM.
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
See the screenshot below taken from one of the Chevrolet Master Parts Catalogs that give a cut-away view of the engine with flywheel and associated parts installed.
If you zoom in you can see that the alignment pins for the flywheel to crankshaft (shows pin at top and bolt at bottom) don't seem to have a lot of room when pushed into the crankshaft holes. Those holes go all the way through the crankshaft and if the pin is pushed in far enough, could contact the rear main bearing block casting and/or cap and may cause damage when you turn-over/run the engine.
Have you tried to spin you engine over by hand to see if there is any interference???
From what I see in this picture, I think the only way to resolve that is to remove the oil pan and see if you can pry the pins back outward on the crankshaft. Of course you will have to remove the flywheel to allow them to move back outward in the crankshaft.
Jerry (Hot Rod Lincoln) will know the answer to your question with eyes closed. Hoping he will chime in with some words of wisdom as mine isn't from hands on experience.
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
See the screenshot below taken from one of the Chevrolet Master Parts Catalogs that give a cut-away view of the engine with flywheel and associated parts installed.
If you zoom in you can see that the alignment pins for the flywheel to crankshaft (shows pin at top and bolt at bottom) don't seem to have a lot of room when pushed into the crankshaft holes. Those holes go all the way through the crankshaft and if the pin is pushed in far enough, could contact the rear main bearing block casting and/or cap and may cause damage when you turn-over/run the engine.
Have you tried to spin you engine over by hand to see if there is any interference???
From what I see in this picture, I think the only way to resolve that is to remove the oil pan and see if you can pry the pins back outward on the crankshaft. Of course you will have to remove the flywheel to allow them to move back outward in the crankshaft.
Jerry (Hot Rod Lincoln) will know the answer to your question with eyes closed. Hoping he will chime in with some words of wisdom as mine isn't from hands on experience.
Dan
Thanks, Dan,
Yes, I removed all the spark plugs and the engine turns very easily by hand. The inverted dowels don’t seem to be making contact anywhere, I’m just not sure if it is OK to finish the install and leave it like this. I don’t know if the dowel pins serve any other purpose other than alignment or if it could throw off the balance in any way.
Danny
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
You are not the first one to make this mistake. Some time ago, somebody else confessed to doing this. Unfortunately, I can't find the thread where the solution was posted.
You are not the first one to make this mistake. Some time ago, somebody else confessed to doing this. Unfortunately, I can't find the thread where the solution was posted.
Thanks Gord&Fran. I guess it’s comforting to know I’m not the only idiot that’s done this, LOL. But it sure ruined my day.
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
Hy Dltalfa, I would do whatever I had to do to pull the dowel pins back into position and install the flywheel correctly, without the flywheel correctly installed your timing marks will not be viewable in the bellhousing window.
Hy Dltalfa, I would do whatever I had to do to pull the dowel pins back into position and install the flywheel correctly, without the flywheel correctly installed your timing marks will not be viewable in the bellhousing window.
Thanks 3B. But to drive the dowel back out would require removing the oil pan, dropping the rear main bearing cap and then hopefully being able to drive it out. Then I’ll need a near rear seal and new pan gaskets. I’d hate to do all that if it’ll perform OK as is. Now realizing my error, I can align the flywheel correctly. Just wondered if the inset dowels would cause any problems.
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
Send Hot Rod Lincoln a PM for the definitive answer.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
One pin may not be enough to keep the flywheel centered. The bolts typically have a little bit of space between them and the hole, so the flywheel could slop a little bit if there weren't 2 or more close fitting pins correctly installed.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Can you look in & see the ends of the dowels? How much clearance do you have between the dowels & the oil pan? If it is not too close anything you will be OK. They may hit the flywheel cover when it is installed. You might check that. You can trim the cover a little if necessary. It won't effect the balance as it is close to the center of the crank.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super In the Gallery Forum
Can you look in & see the ends of the dowels? How much clearance do you have between the dowels & the oil pan? If it is not too close anything you will be OK. They may hit the flywheel cover when it is installed. You might check that. You can trim the cover a little if necessary. It won't effect the balance as it is close to the center of the crank.
George
I can’t see the portion that is driven inside, but it’s not anywhere near interfering with the oil pan. The oil pan is “u-shaped” around the crank where the flywheel bolts. The engine rotates fine with no interference anywhere᠁.with the oil pan installed. Thanks for the input!!
Last edited by Dltalfa; 09/07/202312:43 AM.
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
I've been out of town on a big road trip- - - - -deep south Florida and back- - - -got a PM exchange going with the OP. I believe he will be OK, as long as he picks out the right hole in the flywheel to engage the remaining dowel. Otherwise, he's going to need to set the timing with either the #2 or #3 cylinder, not #1! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
