why does bellhousing need grinding?

[stuchman1]

I know the answer - so it doesn't interfere with the flywheel, but my question is about manufacturing specs - I'm installing the correct size Ford flywheel and Ford bellhousing on the Ford Coyote engine. Why doesn't Ford manufacture the bellhousing so it internally accommodates the flywheel? I'm assuming it has something to do with the custom nature of these cars, but those parts all seem like they should be pretty standard. Just wondering why Ford would manufacture these in a way that the bellhousing need grinding to fit.

It's a little disconcerting that we had to grind down as much as you can see in the pic, but the crankshaft now rotates with the bellhousing seated flush, so all's well that ends well! (For those who are looking funny at the pic and wondering, the only grinding we did is by the dowel hole. The marks on the bottom are cosmetic and from manufacturing / transit + weird lighting. Not us.)

209036

ST

[Nigel Allen]

Having had the same experience in 2011, it seems that nobody gives a rats about it.

[stuchman1]

Have to think it's more that there's something about the particular Coyote setup for FF builds that causes this incompatibility, but I'm just curious because even if that's the case, for this part of the build, it's all Ford parts that I think are supposed to be used together. You'd think you wouldn't have to customize to get it to work. Have to think that when a Ford dealer service shop is replacing one of these, they don't have to grind down the bellhousing to get it to fit!

[rich grsc]

I would say because that isn't the bellhousing on a standard Coyote engine, and you are using a different style of flywheel?

[stuchman1]

I'm using the M-6392-M46 bellhousing that FF recommends in the manual ( https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6392-m46 ), with the M-6375-M50 11" flywheel ( https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6375-M50 ).

Both these parts are described on the Ford website at the links listed as designed for 5.0L modular engines, hence my question. Everything about this says it should all be compatible, and for this particular part of the build, the FF custom aspect I'd think shouldn't be relevant. To be clear, I'm not being critical - really just wondering if anyone knows why this quirk exists!

[Blitzboy54]

I had to do the same. It is strange, my only guess is the bellhousing is used for multiple applications. The only people using it for a Coyote are also using an aftermarket transmission. That probably narrows down considerably how many people have this issue. Agreed it is fixable, but to this point they have decided not to fix it.

[Dgc333]

Ford Performance sources their performance parts from many different sources. Buying from them is no more a guarantee that the parts will work together without some massaging than buying from two different brand names.

[stuchman1]

Not surprising that Ford outsources, but it is actually surprising to me that Ford sells these parts as supposedly compatible on the same engine. Ford of course tells the vendors exactly to what specs they need these outsourced parts manufactured. What do I know but I'd think it would be pretty easy for Ford to just tell the bellhousing manufacturer how much internal clearance these flywheels require and if they want to sell these under the Ford name, then they're going to have to accommodate.

Either way, my now custom bellhousing is just perfect for our build. On to the clutch! :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm using the M-6392-M46 bellhousing that FF recommends in the manual ( https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6392-m46 ), with the M-6375-M50 11" flywheel ( https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6375-M50 ).

Both these parts are described on the Ford website at the links listed as designed for 5.0L modular engines, hence my question. Everything about this says it should all be compatible, and for this particular part of the build, the FF custom aspect I'd think shouldn't be relevant. To be clear, I'm not being critical - really just wondering if anyone knows why this quirk exists!

If you click on the link for the bellhousing you'll see that it states:


Minor modification is required for transmission clearance and mounting in some applications

I got bit by it too :(

Jeff

[stuchman1]

There we have it - still weird that it doesn't just fit, but I apparently need to more closely check the fine print in the future :)

Thanks Jeff!

[BRRT]

It's a Ford thing... :rolleyes:

[BradCraig]

It's hotrodding..grind it and move on. :-)