Engine/Bellhousing Dowel Pins

[RobertKB]

I have an old engine I want a few parts off and the pressure plate and clutch disc are a couple of items. I’ve had the head off and this engine is beyond totally frozen. I cannot turn it over to be able to get and the bolts holding on the pressure plate so removing the bellhousing is required. I have all the bolts out and the only thing holding the bellhousing in place are the two dowel pins used for alignment. You can’t see them in the picture but they do not allow the bellhousing to be removed. It only goes back a short distance before hitting the flywheel and cannot be lifted up because the dowel pins will not allow it. 
 

I seem to remember I had this problem decades ago on a different engine. I don’t think you can drive the pins further into the bellhousing as they won’t go far enough to allow removal. I think this engine was worked on at some point and the mechanic drove the pins in too far. 
 

My question is what do I need to do to remove the bellhousing? I vaguely seem to remember laboriously using a hacksaw years ago to cut the pins. I have an angle grinder now but if there’s another option that doesn’t involve cutting the pins, I’m all ears. 
 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by RobertKB

[Sam Buchanan]

Sawzall (or similar reciprocating saw) with a metal-cutting blade? If you can get the blade on the dowels they will be history in a few seconds.

 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Sam Buchanan

[Doug&Deb]

I believe the pins can be driven further in. I’m pretty sure that’s how I removed the bell housing from my engine.

[RobertKB]

I’ll give that a try and if no good then time for some cutting action. I’ll post results. 

[P15-D24]

I'm pretty sure you can drive them through. Probably a lot of gunk on the inside blocking them. Would apply a lot of lube to get them loosened up.

[MarcDeSoto]

Alignment of the bell housing to the block is very important.  If you cut the dowel pins, be sure you have new ones.  

 

[RobertKB]

Thanks, I know it’s important. However, this engine will never run again but will live on as a donor. 

Edited December 8, 2022 by RobertKB

[Dodgeb4ya]

Drive the dowel pins in...that's been my go to on stuck FD engines.

Std clutch probably work too.

[RobertKB]

Update. I knocked the dowel pins in on the advice of three above members’ posts. Success! Thanks for the help!

 

 

The dowel pins can easily be knocked out of the bellhousing now that there is no flywheel interference.