Bell housing

[Northern lights]

I have a '57 short step with what I believe is the original 235 I6 and 3 SPD standard. I am swapping out both tranny and engine but planning to keep the bell housing. However, 30 years ago I had a '57 bel air 2dr hdt with a 235 and power glide and, it seems to me that when I pulled them, there was something goofy about the bell housing. I vaguely recall a spacer of some sort, perhaps 1" thick and that either the engine or trans was NOT interchangeable with later model stuff. I seem to recall there was a change in '58?????. My question, will the bell housing bolt to most any chevy engine (using a 348, same bell as SBC and BBC). I'm reasonable certain that the 4 spd I'm installing will bolt to the bell with the possible chance that I may have to turn the bearing retainer down.