67mustang302

Bellhousing alignment is measured in thousandths of inches, typically you're only allowed +/-.005" of misalignment. When you install new bellhousings, if the dowels or worn etc, you need to verify the alignment, otherwise it can put a side load on the input shaft and damage the transmission. When you pull it see if the input shaft seems loose in the bearing.

hhahaahyea

i wanted to post and say that my problems have been resolved since swapping the bearings. i pulled everything down to the flywheel with my friend last week. the source of all my problems was very obvious...



my throwout bearing was straight up broken and that piece was flying around my bellhousing for who knows how long. i could wobble the inside of the bearing around in my hands and unfortunately the broken throwout bearing seemed to work a little groove in the bearing retainer which will be replaced next time i pull my transmission. we torqued everything exactly as it should be and put it all back in. transmission slid right in this time with my friend helping.

my heavy pedal (which I hadn't really noticed since it had gradually gotten worse) was gone, the clatter while accelerating was gone and it downshifted amazingly. it's crazy how good a functional transmission feels after driving with a broken throwout bearing for a month or two. i was also able to isolate another rattle, it is the side of my shifter hitting my body around where it comes up in the car. a sawzall will fix that soon.

glad i bought a throwout bearing before pulling it all apart, thanks to everyone.