The following pic shows the modification to the aftermarket bellcrank. This is a part from sometime in the 70s/80s produced by Harry Buschert and Brian Chuchua ; old school pioneers of off-road products (some still in manufacture by outfits such as Advance Adapters (www.advanceadapters.com) and 1st Gear off-road in SoCal (www.1stgearoffroad.com). It replaces the factory needle roller bellcrank with a unit that uses tapered roller bearings. This aftermarket part has a ball stud welded to it, imitating the factory part. From my measurements, this aftermarket ball was a couple thousandths larger in diameter, which caused the draglink seat inserts to mash the ball stud face because of differing diameters. I cut this ball stud off and further cleaned the bellcrank up in a mill. As can be seen, a spherical bearing/rod end has replaced the welded on small diameter ball stud. For clearance, high misalignment spacers were used on the spherical bearing/rod end so that the nut and tube would clear the bellcrank when turned hard right and a slight overlap occurs. The draglink was cut and a threaded tube was turned to an interference fit. This junction has yet to be pinned/welded, for the sake of checking clearances on the notorious dauntless 225 V6 driver side forward facing manifold. A big shout out to the fellas over on EarlyCJ5.com where this knowledge and history was graciously provided by a few members. As an aside, In this pic you’ll also note the destroyed crossmember where the bellcrank mounts up with the (original riveted on) bellcrank base (the weak point was moved with the upgrade), repair will be elaborated on at a later date. You’ll note the butter bolts temporarily holding it in position while cycling for clearances. Prepping the gutted original assembly to check fit. A good 3/8” clearance exists between factory exhaust tube and draglink at its closest in the bellcrank arc, and IF my mental cad is right, the motor mounts being the engines point of pivot on acceleration and deceleration, it should maintain most of that clearance throughout the engines range of motion. Factory CJ5 dauntless 225 V6 manifold flange self clearancing on the frame rail. 10 pounds of Buick where 5 pounds of Jeep were originally designed to be. They made it happen though!
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AuthorThean Bellocchi, ArchivesCategories |