A833 install 1 part or 2? Question

[Purepony]

Getting ready to mate my trans a833 to la360 engine

What's easier ?

Installing bell housing to engine, torquing bolts and the installing trans to bell housing ?

Or

Install the bell housing to the trans and then to the engine as a whole piece ls1 style


I've only done a trans install but it was a t56 and went in as one piece. Limited experience so please help

Thanks all

[anlauto]

I always put the bellhousing on first 

[71vert340]

 I've always bolted on bellhousing to engine first. Even when using a clutch alignment tool, I've had to have some transmission movement to align trans shaft through the clutch disc splines and into pilot bushing. My preference.

[Purepony]

Thanks guys for the input
alot of people recommend it done that way is there a reason for it ?

Also could I install it as a whole part ? Or is that not recommended and why ? I'm just trying to understand

[JonH]

You can do it either way, your choice. To me it is easier to put the bellhousing on the engine, then attach the trans. If you are looking for a why, this way you are not fighting the dowels in the engine as well as the pilot bushing and clutch splines all at the same time. Plus it is lighter and a little easier to manipulate...

[Purepony]

Thank you for your response I was just wondering because everywhere I look, it recommends I install the bell housing and then attach the transmission but I find it easier to do it as a whole for some reason like an automatic

[Chryco Psycho]

Either is fine , many transmissions do not have a removable belhousing & are slid on in 1 piece , the only consideration with bolting the belhousing first is if you are checking to make sure the belfhousing is centered properly with the crank , this can only be done with only the belhousing in place . if it is off center you will need offset dowels to correct ti before installing the belhousing .

[Ebody Edgar]

Bad advice from most
Use a torque wrench
Attach clutch/flywheel and use an old input shaft to align the disk as the plastic ones are useless
Attach bh to block and be sure to torque ALL the bolts
The bell-housing run-out or concentricity to the crank center-line needs to be checked.
If this is a foreign concept to you perhaps you should find the right person to do the work or get the proper help
Most b/h are misaligned causing lots of short and long term problems
If the trans does not slide in easily the disk is not lined up
Use the roller bearing that goes in the crank register not the old style bushing
the FSM is your friend

[anlauto]

Bad advice ? Everyone that added their opinion to this thread said to put the bellhousing on first as you are saying ?

[RUNCHARGER]

The bellhousing should be checked for concentricity for sure. Other than that I find it easier to do up the bellhousing to engine bolts with the transmission off and easier to wrestle the trans by itself too, either way works though.

[Rich G.]

Not to stir the pot but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to check the bellhousing but I've probably installed over 100 clutches in my day and the only one I checked was when I converted my car to a 5 speed and never had any problems with any of them. You would think if it was an issue on every clutch job they would put offset dowel pins with the clutch kit. Where would you even get the pins other then ordering them for speed shop? I think something we tend to overthink things. Have you ever seen an adjustable dowel pin come from the factory on these E bodies? I would think that's why the factory used a bronze bushing in the crank too.

[JonH]