Build The "Red Rocket" Troopy

[AirheadNut]

Apparently the adapter plate not being 100% perfect even a few thousandths of an inch of offset can cyclically load the bellhousing for thousands of miles until it cracks. Ontop of the throughout bearing failing for all this time, and the extreme vibrations of a 4cyl mechanical diesel shaking everything always… it was bound to happen I suppose.

I think this is a very likely scenario. I had a similar problem with the first adapter plate I used, it was off center and destroyed clutch discs, pressure plates, input shaft bearings and pilot bushings. My engine probably wasn’t making enough torque to split the bellhousing.

My solution was to get a precision 3D scan of the transmission case and bellhousing ($100), model an adapter plate in CAD and have the overall profile laser cut from 1/2” HRPO plate ($250), and the critical bolt and dowel holes machined ($250). Overall with hardware it ended up costing around $800 to build my own custom adapter plate.