Tremec Coyote boobytrap warning

[Jeff Kleiner]

Readers Digest Version: Coyote, TKX, clutch package including flywheel and Tremec TCCM1899 bellhousing from Forte. Engine & trans in, wiring in place, going for an initial crank. Starter solenoid engages but no crank. Hmmm...battery is hot, connections all good, add an additional temporary engine ground just in case. Hmmm...still just get the solenoid to throw but no starter spin. Starter is new but we all know that new doesn't mean good. But first...put a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt AND THE ENGINE IS LOCKED UP! Turned over fine while putting on the front dress and clutch assembly. WTH??? Disengage clutch but no change. Only one thing to do at this point...45 minutes later the transmission is on the floor (for anyone who may be wondering, yes, a TKX will come out the bottom of a Gen3 Coupe) but the engine still wont turn. Remove the bellhousing and there it is! Two marks revealing that the bellhousing was contacting the flywheel and locking up the whole works. Upon initial installation the bellhousing didn't seem to require any extraordinary effort to seat flush with the specified torque. Here are the pics. You'll notice the interference areas at about 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=173953&d=1666279582

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=173954&d=1666279636

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=173955&d=1666279665

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=173952&d=1666279549

E-mailed Mike Forte about the issue and he replied that this has been an ongoing problem with the TCCM1899 Coyote bellhousing casting. I've not seen it reported here but maybe I've just missed it. Correction will be a matter of simply doing a little grinding inside the bell to make clearance. Turning the engine over after assembling standard clutch parts and the transmission isn't something that I would ordinarily do but to anyone who is putting this combination together I suggest that you do just that! Not looking forward to wrestling that TKX back up in there because you know...gravity :(

Cheers!
Jeff


173952
173953
173954
173955

[cc2Arider]

Thanks for the watch-out Jeff!

Is this just your experience with the Coyote-based aluminum bell housings for the TKX, or did you learn this could apply for the 351w-based aluminum bell housings, too?

Craig C

[JeffP]

I had the same issue, its notated on page 36 of the coyote Installation Manual (for the roadster) so it must be a pretty much expected interference.
https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Coyote-Gen-3-Fitment-roadster-rev-1G.pdf

[Jeff Kleiner]

I had the same issue, its notated on page 36 of the coyote Installation Manual (for the roadster) so it must be a pretty much expected interference.
https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Coyote-Gen-3-Fitment-roadster-rev-1G.pdf

This is a Gen2 engine. No mention of interference possibility in the supplementals—-it simply says “Install the bell housing” and gives the bolt torque spec.

Jeff

[Fbird]

That was the case with my gen 2 coyote and tkx with the bellhousing as well. Fit the bellhousing without flywheel and clutch and aligned the bell to the engine crankshaft center. Thought I was doing so great so I bolted on clutch and went to put on the bellhousing and I could not even get mine to seat over the flywheel without preliminary grinding. Ran the motor through several rotations with a breaker to check it for binding before the install. Like so many things it is custom and requires finessing. So glad I didn’t put it in the car. I installed the trans and engine separately. It can be done. Major pain. If you find a good procedure please document it. I know I don’t want to pull the motor when it comes time to do a new clutch. I wish I wrote down how I got it in, but alas I did not. Lots of cursing and wrestling this way and that to get it in.

T.poe
Maybe if I had the QuickTime bell this wouldn’t have been necessary? Who knows.

[Yellville]

I had the same issue, its notated on page 36 of the coyote Installation Manual (for the roadster) so it must be a pretty much expected interference.
https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Coyote-Gen-3-Fitment-roadster-rev-1G.pdf

Same for me. Gen 3 Coyote with TKX. I followed the instructions to grind down this area and had no problem. Sounds like they need to update the Gen 2 Coyote instructions.

[i.e.427]

Talking with Kleiner this past weekend, I just happen to have a Gen 2 Coyote/Tremec TKO package sitting in a project right now. As supplied from Factory Five Racing, the bell housing is a steel bellhousing from Quicktime. I don't believe the aluminum bellhousing from Tremec became available until recently.

[Nigel Allen]

Had exactly same issue in 2011 with aluminium bell housing. Luckily caught it before dropping into chassis. Quick touch with a flap disc on the angle grinder and all was good.

[Lidodrip]

Maybe if I had the QuickTime bell this wouldn’t have been necessary? Who knows.

I have a Gen 2 Coyote with a TKX and QuickTime bell housing and did not have an issue.

James