i am looking for a 460 Bell housing to use on an engine run stand. I found one on craigslist, it says for a 351M or 400, I researched and found that will work for 460.................then i may have over researched and some say no

WHich is it? THe cast number is D97A-7505 per the add

Ford 351m" bell housing
One of the guys on the 460 forum said that based on the picture in the add it was for a SBF?

Thanks Ryan

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I am working from memory here, but I think that while the bolt pattern is the same, the housing is too "shallow" and will hit a 460 flywheel. They will work the other way around, but I don't think this will work for a 460. Numberdummy would probably know, PM him!

 

Not sure about the depth issue, but thissy here makes me think it is a 335/385 pattern. The key measurements are given, you just have to scroll down.
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The pattern is the same 385-335.
The issue is clutch pressure plate clearance.
If you are just using it as a run in stand and have only the flywheel installed it should not be an issue.

 

I also agree. If this is only for a stand and you aren't going to put it in a car or truck or need the clutch components to dissengage, by all means it will work. However, the 351/400 bell is in fact shorter than a 460 bell and by the time you stuff the bellhousing with flywheel and pressure plate and clutch fork, there is no room for anything to move around. Believe me, I know first hand. The only exception to this is if you were to use the LandL flywheel. But like I said, this doesn't matter if you are just going to use it on a stand.

 

The 460 crank flange also sticks out of the block mating surface ~1/2" more than the 351M/400

Check this thread for more than you will ever want to know about the differences between the two/
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-zf5-swap.html

 

would i be fine using my bellhousing from my 351m/np345 in my highboy with a 460 or do i need to go buy a 460 bellhousing? never heard of thing until today...

 

You need more clearance for the 460 pressure plate.
L&L sells an expensive offset flywheel that resolves the problem and would probably be easier for you than converting to hydraulic clutch.

 

I found a blow proof bell housing at junk yard so I am good, thanks for the info guys!!!

Ryan

 

I agree with all of this. You will be time and money ahead just to bite the bullet and buy the L and L flywheel and clutch set and re-use your 351-400 bellhousing and all of the hardware you already have. I bought one and use it on my setup and it works great.

 

does this issue exist with all tranny combinations? never read the issue described here for a 70s truck, is this just with a newer transmission with a different clutch?
(I have an NP435 with a 351m on it now, soon to be a 460)

 

Parker,

In these early years the 460 was only available with an automatic, and a simple flexplate is not nearly as thick as a flywheel/pressure plate combo.
Combine that with the fact that the crankshaft flange of any 460 sticks out of the block about 1/2" more than the 351M/400 and you have issues.

There never was a mechanical clutch behind a 460.
So, although the bell pattern is the same, the 351M/400 bell itself is not deep enough to fit the 460's 'taller' flywheel/ pressure combination.

Additionally, you need to realize that during the 1979 model year 460's went from internal to external balance.
Internal balance 460's never had a clutch & manual transmission.
If you try to put an external balance 460 flywheel on an earlier engine it will vibrate and self destruct.
Some people talk about getting a 'zero' balance flywheel from a 390 to fit.
But that comes with it's own set of headaches.

If you intend to use a '70's 460 in your '77 "punkin" truck, you need to be sure you either get the L&L kit for '70's trucks, or find an FE flywheel and have the machine work done to make it fit + find the right starter to engage it.

No one here is shining you on, and you are not going to reinvent the wheel.
Your options are;
A) Use the appropriate L&L flywheel kit. (for either early or late 460)

B)Later 460 that came with a manual.
Use the hydraulic bellhousing that came with it and find a way to swap the later hydraulic pedals and clutch master cylinder into your '77.
Move the transmission mount and shorten/lengthen the driveshafts, if you have to.

C) Early (internal balance) 460.
Find a 390 zero balance flywheel, and do the machine work to make it fit.
But you will have issues and need to clearance the inside of the bell housing.
Making it marginally strong enough to hold up behind a stock 460, and failure prone behind a built one.
*** You will likely find the NP input shaft too long and the pilot will bottom out in the 460 crankshaft, because it sticks out ~1/2" more than the 351m/400***

Really, like I suggested and Dan confirmed, just bite the bullet and get the L&L.

 

its not that i dont have a problem doing that its just ive read up on a couple 460 swaps(and forgot just about everything i read) and ive never read of this bellhousing issue. it makes me sad. ill just have to get the L&L flywheel i guess.