Clutch linkage issues.

[Joe Z]

Sorry if this gets a little lengthy. Also I'm not sure if the motor has any effect on this and there is one issue with multiple problems related to the bell housing. I have an 81' c10. I'm in the middle of an engine swap the stock 250 I6 is being replaced with a 66' 250 I6 just noticed that the older style bell housing doesn't have the guide for the clutch linkage. However the aluminum bell from the stock Muncie doesn't have the holes for the housing mounted starter, and finally the block doesn't have have the mounting holes for the block mounted starter except for the automatic transmission witch is offset to the wrong side at least I can't seem to find one to fit. This is where I'm stuck.

Not sure if I can drill and tap the block for the diagonal bolt pattern starter, use the old style bell and add on a mounting bracket, or find a starter that bolts into the aluminum bell or 66' block.

Any suggestions, thoughts, or info? Not sure what the best solution is.

[mongocanfly]

Why are you putting a 50 yr old engine in your 81?..you'd be wwaaaaayyyy better off to rebuild your original 6cyl if its needed.what your wanting to do I wouldn't recommend..your fixing to go down a rabbit hole with a swap like that..

[Joe Z]

Had it around and thought it'd be fairly straightforward since everything I read pointed to it being the same exact setup. Also my engine has the integrated head unlike the older style engine reducing hp torque and they're prone to head failures due to craking.

[mongocanfly]

So..your saying there's nothing wrong now but your trying to head off potential problems...I'd be looking for a different way to go..there's nothing straight forward about the kinda swap you described...put in a smallblock or find another 6cyl to drop in it..heck around here you just about have to give smallblocks away..LS swaps have made them undesirable..with that being said Id go LS if it were mine..but that's a different argument for a different day...

[Joe Z]

My original 6 died at 230,000 and my last one made it 5,000 before losing all compression in cylinder 4 but in hindsight I knew there was something wrong with it before I put it in. Now I just don't have the cash for a rebuild and have one last 6 laying around. If I can get the bell housing/clutch setup figured out it'll the rest should be easy. I know this motor was running properly at least.

[Joe Z]

Just thought I'd put this up for any with a similar issue. A summit high torque mini starter for both 153/168 tooth flywheel bolts in offset on the factory starter side by side mounting holes without the need for a diagonal bolt pattern on the block.