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Bellhousing Bolt Patterns

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Old 11-11-2009, 03:02 PM
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Question Bellhousing Bolt Patterns

hey all. gotta know, what motors have what bolt patterns? i know that the 351M and 400 have the same pattern as the 429 and 460, but thats about it. do all of the other small blocks (300, 289/302, 351C, 351W) have the same patterns? i think they do, but im not sure. also, what about the FE series? do they have the big block pattern, small block, one of their own, or a combo of the first and the latter, depending on application?
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 03:09 PM
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6 banger, 302, 351W, 351C all share the small block bell housing.
351/400M, 429, 460 have the ''Big block'' bell housing.
352,360,390,428 all share a different one of their own also.
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 03:23 PM
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When you say 6 banger I'm sure you are talking about the 300 in-line. The 3.8L used for years in Mustangs also takes that same bolt pattern. That's nice for grabbing a 4R70W trans and using it behind a 302.

It freaking drives me nuts that just because the 351m/400 have a big block bell housing that people think it is a big block. I see it ALL the time. Like on craigslist. For sale 1979 F-250 with a big block 400. It's a SMALL BLOCK!
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Blown 331
When you say 6 banger I'm sure you are talking about the 300 in-line. The 3.8L used for years in Mustangs also takes that same bolt pattern. That's nice for grabbing a 4R70W trans and using it behind a 302.

It freaking drives me nuts that just because the 351m/400 have a big block bell housing that people think it is a big block. I see it ALL the time. Like on craigslist. For sale 1979 F-250 with a big block 400. It's a SMALL BLOCK!
Yep, yep, I was referring to engines that you may commonly find in or install in one of our style trucks....
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Blown 331
It freaking drives me nuts that just because the 351m/400 have a big block bell housing that people think it is a big block. I see it ALL the time. Like on craigslist. For sale 1979 F-250 with a big block 400. It's a SMALL BLOCK!
Same here! It especially urks me when the rules makers ban a winning 351M/400 combination based on that faulty reasoning.
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by peganit2
Same here! It especially urks me when the rules makers ban a winning 351M/400 combination based on that faulty reasoning.
when have they done this?? and yeah, ford just wanted a middle sized engine that could bolt up the stronger "big block" drive train when they designed the 400/351M.
 
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Old 11-11-2009, 09:22 PM
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oh, and to clarify, a trans from an FE would NOT bolt up to a 400, or vice versa?
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by redsuperduty
351/400M, 429, 460 have the ''Big block'' bell housing.
Say RedSD,

Do you happen to know if the clutch linkages are the same for those engines?

BarnieTrk
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by BarnieTrk
Say RedSD,

Do you happen to know if the clutch linkages are the same for those engines?

BarnieTrk
I used all the same clutch linkage from my 351m on my 460 if that's what your asking? The clutch linkage has more to do with the transmission than the engine in my application (1977 F-150).
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Blown 331
It freaking drives me nuts that just because the 351m/400 have a big block bell housing that people think it is a big block. I see it ALL the time. Like on craigslist. For sale 1979 F-250 with a big block 400. It's a SMALL BLOCK!
Actually it is neither a big or small block, those are GM terms. Ford classified their motors in a series group.



460/5 a trans from an FE won't bolt up to either a 351M or a 400.
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ranger429
Actually it is neither a big or small block, those are GM terms. Ford classified their motors in a series group.


Agree but just because it's not a Ford term, that doesn't mean that's not what it is. Kinda like the term highboy. Even this site lists certain engines as big block & small block.
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 12:53 PM
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351M/400 clutch linkage is not the same as a 460.

The first year Ford offered a 460 w/a manual transmission was in 1983, the clutch is hydraulic.

Small Block is not Ford terminology, neither is High Boy.

High Boy: Antique furniture term for a New England chest on chest (chest of drawers aka dresser) with cabriole legs made circa 1750/1800.

High Boy: Hot Rodders term for a 1932 Ford Roadster with the fenders and splash shields removed, which exposes the body sitting atop the frame rails.

High Boy: Enthusiasts term for 1967/76 F250 4WD & 1977 F250 4WD before serial number Y20,001.
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by NumberDummy
351M/400 clutch linkage is not the same as a 460.

The first year Ford offered a 460 w/a manual transmission was in 1983, the clutch is hydraulic.
Maybe I'm not understading what was being asked here. I understand you are saying that from the factory the 351m and 460 did not take the same clutch linkage. But I think this guy was asking if he would have to get different linkage to run a 460. I did not, I have the same clutch linkage that was used when I had the 351 and I'm now using it with the 460. So if thats what this guy up top is asking. The answer would be yes, you can use the same linkage if you do the 460 swap.

I think we are all familiar with Ford Racing Performance Parts correct? Is this a division of Ford? I believe it is, it's not a serparate company such as Edelbrock correct? They have Ford emblems all over the place so there is obviously a connection.
Well Ford Racing uses the term small block.

Ford Racing Performance Parts [Crate Engines]
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 01:37 PM
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[quote=Blown 331;8147284]
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
351M/400 clutch linkage is not the same as a 460.

The first year Ford offered a 460 w/a manual transmission was in 1983, the clutch is hydraulic.
quote]

Maybe I'm not understading what was being asked here. I understand you are saying that from the factory the 351m and 460 did not take the same clutch linkage. But I think this guy was asking if he would have to get different linkage to run a 460. I did not, I have the same clutch linkage that was used when I had the 351 and I'm now using it with the 460. So if thats what this guy up top is asking. The answer would be yes, you can use the same linkage if you do the 460 swap.

I think we are all familiar with Ford Racing Performance Parts correct? Is this a division of Ford? I believe it is, it's not a serparate company such as Edelbrock correct? They have Ford emblems all over the place so there is obviously a connection.
Well Ford Racing uses the term small block.

Ford Racing Performance Parts [Crate Engines]
Since Ford did not offer a 460 w/a manual trans until 1983, the linkage from 1983 and later will not be the same as a 351M/400 which did not have a hydraulic clutch.

I dunno whether you can use the 351M/400 linkage on a 460 swap.

You might be familiar with Ford Racing Parts, but I'm not. I'm only going by what correct Ford terminology was for decades...which for me (thankfully) ended in 1997.
 
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Old 11-17-2009, 05:49 PM
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351M clutch linkage will work fine with a 460 swapped in. Like it or not ''SBF'', ''BBF'' and ''FE'' are how the engines are specified by the general public and aftermarket. Makes me no difference what people call em, us die hard FORD guys know what they mean either way.
 


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