Bellhousing question

[57larry]

would a 61 bellhousing be the same as one from a 66 as far as does it have the same bellhousing side mounts and does it bolt to the block the same number of holes / thanks

[Captainfab]

It will bolt to the crossmember the same, but it depends on which engine the '61 bellhousing was originally bolted to. If it was bolted to a 235, then it will not bolt to any other engine. And the same if it was bolted to the GMC V6. If it was bolted to a 230, 283, or 327 then it will bolt to any other I6 or GenI small block or Mark IV or V big block.

Another thing to consider is that the '61 bellhousing would be setup for a hydraulic clutch.

[62gmc910]

And for extra fun some of the hyd clutch bells were right hand clutch openning some may also have the top hole drilled 68 ??up had a bigger trans hole for the SM465

[57larry]

WOW! a lot of info here. I'm looking for then a bellhousing with a 4 5/8 hole that will mount to a 72 V8 block but has transmision mounts. Right? thanks, Larry

[padresag]

why not just say what you want to do. be a little more specific and you should get a more specific answer. what is it in and what do you want to do?

ron

[57larry]

ok, I have a 72 v8 and want to install a saganaw or muncie 4 speed. I need a bellhosusing with a 4 5/8 hole and trans mounts. What years fit?

[padresag]

it is like pulling teeth from a chicken.
what year is the truck?
you are asking if a 61 bellhousing is the same as a 66. depends what eng was in frt of the 61 bellhousing
are you putting the 61 bellhousing in the 66 or the 66 bellhousing in a 61. there are also differences in clutch linkage mechanisms between the 2 years
again what do you want to do.
ron

[57larry]

Originally Posted by 57larry

ok, I have a 72 v8 and want to install a saganaw or muncie 4 speed. I need a bellhosusing with a 4 5/8 hole and trans mounts. What years fit?

66 truck using a SBC 283 what years bellhousing fit using the stock bellhousing mounts? I want to put a muncie or saganaw 4 speed behind it

[padresag]

you do not want a b/housing from 60-62 as the clutch release arm is on the passenger side for the hydr clutch(283 b/housing will fit other wise; 60-62) 63 and up any eng with cast iron housing other than the one with the enlargened hole for bigger frt trans brg retainer and they can be used if you use and adaptor ring (just a machined spacer ring}
55-59 v8 housing should work just as long as the flanges for the mounts are positioned the same
ron

[57larry]

thank you, I got what I needed to know now

[Captainfab]

The bellhousing you need would basically be from '63-'67/'68. In about '68-'69 is when the center hole went to 5 1/8" to accomodate the SM465. However as was mentioned above, you could use the later bellhousing with a machined collar to locate the trans correctly. If you have trouble locating a bellhousing locally, let me know I may have one.

[57larry]

a wealth of knowledge here ! where would I find an adapter ring/machined collar?

[62gmc910]

try a speed shop most chev scatter shields came with them

[padresag]

machine shop. it would just be a filler ring to fill the gap betwween the b/houseing and the trans frt brg retainer
ron

[57larry]

so it just kinda floats in the hole?

[padresag]

it could be machined to fit the existing frt brg retainer-pressed on. it could be retained bt a couple of small tabs located from the small bolts retaining the frt brg retainer. imagine that it could be secured by jb weld or a product of that ilk.
it should retain tha same type of clearances as a std trans to b/housing relationship
ron