Cutting Bell Housing

[Railroad]

I have the Ford aluminum bell housing on my MkIV with Coyote engine.
I have seen pics of the steel bell housing, after being cut for ground clearance.
I feel like this needs to be addressed on my car. Does anyone have experience or suggestions on doing this with my housing?
I have a plasma cutter, but do not feel this is the correct tool for the job. I think I need to use a cut off wheel or a body saw.
Thanks for any help.

[Logan]

Just finished cutting mine in the past week or so. Angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and a nice sharpie line makes quick work of it. Flap disc once done to smooth it out, and quick spray paint for rust prevention. Job done.

You also need to cut the block plate the same way, don’t forget. That’s a thinner plate steel, cuts just as easily.

Edit: My experiences above are with the QuickTime RM-8080 steel bellhousing. I didn’t think any of the aluminum bells hung down nearly as low...but if so, they can likely be trimmed down the same way.

[boat737]

I have the steel QuickTime bell housing. The engine side on mine has a nice flat surface, so I used a simple jig saw. Did it on the car, from underneath, laying on my back. Took a little time and muscle, but no biggie, overall. After the cut, ran a file over the rough edges. Just that 1/2 inch made all the difference.

[Railroad]

Thanks for the advise and pics. I will definitely be looking at the job today. Maybe I will remember to take some pics.

[lgordon]

Thanks for the thread and photos. My car is nearing completion and I still have to address the 1/4 - 1/2” of bell housing sitting too low. I also have a Coyote and aluminum bell housing. I’ll keep an eye out for your photos.

[dhuff]

I have the steel QuickTime bell housing. The engine side on mine has a nice flat surface, so I used a simple jig saw. Did it on the car, from underneath, laying on my back. Took a little time and muscle, but no biggie, overall. After the cut, ran a file over the rough edges. Just that 1/2 inch made all the difference.

I have a Coyote with the QuickTime bellhousing. Your picture shows 2 lines. Which line is the bottom of the frame rails, top or bottom?

[boat737]

The top line is just so I could get a "level" line based on the bolt holes. I drew a parallel line below that (the cut line) that was about where the bottom of the frame tubes line up. It's not exact, but pretty darned close. Technically, the engine is not exactly level in the motor mounts, and has a very minor tilt to it, probably no more than a degree or two. But I figured I would rather have my cut line relative to the engine, and not the frame.

[Railroad]

I did get around to cutting the clutch fork dust cover and making a cover that clears the frame. Here are a few pics. Also, a couple of what my bell housing looks like before cutting.
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apparently everything was not complete from down loading. Heavy rain here and the computer is either slow or off line.

Sorry about the pics. Maybe I can add later.