SM465 transmission Bell housing

[Marcosmadness]

I have a 1959 chevrolet step van with a SM 465 transmission bolted to a Chevrolet 235 inline six. The clutch is actuated mechanically. I want to swap out the 235 for a SB 350 and retain the SM465 transmission. Will the bell housing I have work with the SB 350? If the bell housing has to be changed, what bell housing should I be looking for to make the SM465 work with the Chevy 350 engine?

[sweet70beast]

The bell housing you have will not bolt to a V8, they mount to the engine totally different. When you do you engine swap you will see why. If you can find a cast iron bell housing from a V8 up to 72 or a 6 cyl from 63 to 72 should bolt right on. The aluminum bells on trucks from 73 and up have a bigger center hole because the bearing retainer on the front of the trans got bigger. They might bolt on but you won't have as much front trans support. Car aluminum bells kept the same smaller hole so they will work too, if you want to go that route. The car had either a 10.5 clutch or an 11 inch but I believe that the pick ups had the 11 inch.
Hopefully that makes sense.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The SM465 didn't come out till 68. Unless someone has changed it you probably have a SM420. It will fit the V-8 useing the bell houseing The Beast describes but like he says there are variations in the hole size. I am doing a similar swap on my 56 pickup.