Well, sorta...
There is a specific attachment that makes doing this a lot easier. Of course, I don't have one anymore.
Otherwise, it is just a matter of getting the magnetic base as close to the center of the crank pilot as possible, then setting the dial by turning the engine, taking the measurements at 4 points, then moving the dial to get it to an average at 90deg North/South-East/West.
If you have a machinist's rule, you can measure the opening in the bellhousing to find center, then center the dial off of that. If that makes any sense at all.
I will add this...in all my years of fooling with hot-rod/racers, etc., the only time I've ever actually needed to "center" a bellhousing was on aftermarket scattershields, most of which are stamped steel, and prone to be off
just a wee bit...like 1/4"!!!
. On a stock, cast bellhousing, with a regular standard trans, the hole in the bell would have to be off by a great deal to create any issues with the trans not shifting properly, or causing pre-mature bearing/bushing wear. If the engine dowels are in good shape/new, and there is no wear on the dowel holes in the bell, I can't see needing to align it any better than Chevy did. If there is wear in bell holes, there is a repair for those, that bores out the worn hole, and then you put in a steel insert. I have done that on a few in the past...
Just my opinion.
Adams' Apple2009-01-02 20:12:10______________
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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