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Topic: Cracked Bellhousing....Again (Read 361 times) previous topic - next topic

Cracked Bellhousing....Again

We purchased a 1996 U295 a little over a year ago.  Has barely 40,000 miles on it.  Had a very destructive vibration which cracked the bellhousing and caused the starter to come out.....After $12,000 in repairs, there was still no improvement in the vibration.  We took off the vibration dampner (sp) and low and behold the vibration ceased.  But not before the new bell housing received some minor cracks around the bolts.  Can this be repaired by welding?  We've hardly used the coach and are excited to get her on the road.  All advice is greatly appreciated. 

Re: Cracked Bellhousing....Again

Reply #1 –
The only things that can't be welded are a broken heart and the crack of dawn everything else is fixable including your bell housing. I have a feeling that when the damper was still on and causing a vibration then it was probably out of alignment. Does the torque converter have balance weights ?
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Cracked Bellhousing....Again

Reply #2 –
The short answer is yes.

If the bell housing is detachable from the transmission it can be replaced with new, used or welded while detached.
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: Cracked Bellhousing....Again

Reply #3 –
Dampers are balanced when they are manufactured and are not "clocked" it shouldn't have caused the vibration. Was it the transmission damper on the 3000 series Allison? lots of issues with the P-3 bearing on them causing vibrations. Can you give more details as how you removed it and hooked up the driveshaft without it.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cracked Bellhousing....Again

Reply #4 –
Most bells can be welded in place. If you can reach the cracks. 
If removed to weld , it should be bolted to a flat plate or dummy engine to reduce the warping.
Any one competent to weld it should have the knowledge to increase its success.