bellhousing
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
bellhousing
i was told that the bellhousing for a 6.9 diesel and a 460 were the same pattern but the way the starter mounted is different. if this is true can you adapt the starter to work. thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
NOPE!
Not even close!
There are 3 basic "old school, not ancient school" gas bell housing patterns.
Early Small block Windsor = 221, 255, 260, 289.
Late Small block Windsor = 289, 302, Boss 302, 351W.
FE series = 332, 352, 360, 361, 410, 427, 428.
Big block 385 series = 370, 429, 460 and 514 and that pattern also included the Cleveland series 351, Boss 351, 400M, 351M.
And then came the Diesels = 6.9 and 7.3 that used an adapter on the back of the block so there was no reason they could not make it match the 385 series other than making sure they were not accidentally swapped as they were programed differently internally.
That does not even account for the modular V8 bolt pattern, or patterns that I have no idea about as well as the power stroke Diesels.
Not even close!
There are 3 basic "old school, not ancient school" gas bell housing patterns.
Early Small block Windsor = 221, 255, 260, 289.
Late Small block Windsor = 289, 302, Boss 302, 351W.
FE series = 332, 352, 360, 361, 410, 427, 428.
Big block 385 series = 370, 429, 460 and 514 and that pattern also included the Cleveland series 351, Boss 351, 400M, 351M.
And then came the Diesels = 6.9 and 7.3 that used an adapter on the back of the block so there was no reason they could not make it match the 385 series other than making sure they were not accidentally swapped as they were programed differently internally.
That does not even account for the modular V8 bolt pattern, or patterns that I have no idea about as well as the power stroke Diesels.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
Here is a more complete list and some patterns overlap.
* 1 Ford Flathead engine pattern
* 2 Lincoln Y-block pattern
* 3 Ford Y-block pattern
* 4 Early MEL pattern (1958-1960, Same as FE)
* 5 Late MEL pattern (1961-1968)
* 6 FE Gen 1 and Gen 2 pattern
* 7 Early Windsor V8 pattern
* 8 Later Windsor V8 pattern
* 9 Ford Lima/385 V8 pattern
* 10 400M/351M V8 pattern
* 11 Taunus pattern
* 12 Falcon Six pattern
* 13 Early OHV Six pattern
* 14 UK Essex pattern
* 15 Pinto EAO I4 pattern
* 16 Pinto OHC RWD pattern
* 17 Vulcan V6 pattern
* 18 Duratec pattern
* 19 Modular V8 pattern
* 1 Ford Flathead engine pattern
* 2 Lincoln Y-block pattern
* 3 Ford Y-block pattern
* 4 Early MEL pattern (1958-1960, Same as FE)
* 5 Late MEL pattern (1961-1968)
* 6 FE Gen 1 and Gen 2 pattern
* 7 Early Windsor V8 pattern
* 8 Later Windsor V8 pattern
* 9 Ford Lima/385 V8 pattern
* 10 400M/351M V8 pattern
* 11 Taunus pattern
* 12 Falcon Six pattern
* 13 Early OHV Six pattern
* 14 UK Essex pattern
* 15 Pinto EAO I4 pattern
* 16 Pinto OHC RWD pattern
* 17 Vulcan V6 pattern
* 18 Duratec pattern
* 19 Modular V8 pattern
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
Not that I have seen, but there might be some "antique" bell housings out there that were cast iron.
Now that I think of it, I do believe the 351 Cleveland probably used the small block bolt pattern.
What I need is a C4 bell housing that will bolt up to an Aluminum Buick 215 V8 engine!
I have thought up various ways to fabricate one.
Make a face plate to match the C4 side of the bell housing.
Make a plate that bolts onto the engine.
Then have a shaft bolted in the mains extending out and have the face plate mounted and centered to it at the proper distance.
Then either weld some lateral curved plates that are far enough out as to clear the torque converter, or use some curved vertical mini I or H beams in place.
Now that I'm taking a CAD class I can take some measurements and build it virtually before I do anything!
Another option would be make it all out of casting wax with some extra for machining the faces and drilling the bolt holes, and have someone cast it out of aluminum.
Now that I think of it, I do believe the 351 Cleveland probably used the small block bolt pattern.
What I need is a C4 bell housing that will bolt up to an Aluminum Buick 215 V8 engine!
I have thought up various ways to fabricate one.
Make a face plate to match the C4 side of the bell housing.
Make a plate that bolts onto the engine.
Then have a shaft bolted in the mains extending out and have the face plate mounted and centered to it at the proper distance.
Then either weld some lateral curved plates that are far enough out as to clear the torque converter, or use some curved vertical mini I or H beams in place.
Now that I'm taking a CAD class I can take some measurements and build it virtually before I do anything!
Another option would be make it all out of casting wax with some extra for machining the faces and drilling the bolt holes, and have someone cast it out of aluminum.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,505
Likes: 2,822
You may have to cast your own. You may be money ahead to use a GM trans and adapt the trans to the next item, be it driveshaft or TC.
I can't even get close to finding your stuff here:
Transmission to Engine Adapter | Engine & Transmission Conversion Adapters - Advance Adapters
You might talk to them, this may be an old item that the don't list on line...
I can't even get close to finding your stuff here:
Transmission to Engine Adapter | Engine & Transmission Conversion Adapters - Advance Adapters
You might talk to them, this may be an old item that the don't list on line...
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
The only adapters I have found were for the Audi 5000, the Powerglide and the Chevy Turbo 350/400.
KEP (http://www.kennedyeng.com/other.htm) has a wide assortment of adapters!
I have a long list of companies offering adapters, and none offer what I want.
There is one place in Australia, but the cost and distance involved make a barrier I am unwilling to cross.
The powerglide is a possibility, but I would prefer a directly bolted up C4.
KEP (http://www.kennedyeng.com/other.htm) has a wide assortment of adapters!
I have a long list of companies offering adapters, and none offer what I want.
There is one place in Australia, but the cost and distance involved make a barrier I am unwilling to cross.
The powerglide is a possibility, but I would prefer a directly bolted up C4.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
I don't rebuild them.
Well, a Gear Vendor would cost anywhere from a minimum of $2600 to a potential of $5000!
Not my idea of affordable!
Well, a Gear Vendor would cost anywhere from a minimum of $2600 to a potential of $5000!
Not my idea of affordable!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
billyboyr6
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
0
Jan 1, 2017 08:20 AM
F350moneypit
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Aug 18, 2013 01:50 PM
AmeriKen
Flathead V8 & Flathead 6
2
Aug 23, 2012 06:02 AM
Thomsen
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
11
Feb 29, 2004 08:48 PM
