Help to ID bellhousing adapter

[Dingadong]

Picked this adapter bellhousing up recently and trying to correctly identify the setup so I can choose the proper clutch components for my 350 swap. It doesnt look close to the AA or Marks adapters setup. Ive never really looked that closely to SBC bellhousings in the past, but am I right in thinking this is an OEM SBC bellhousing with just an adapter plate on the top?, There is nothing written on the bellhousing itself to identify it an OE GM, only the number 11 on the inside. The adapter plate is about 5/8" thick and held to the BH by 6 bolts. Assuming this is correct:

1. I would need to use chevy clutch components, including an 11" disc, correct?

2. Can I keep the trans/TC in the same position to utilize the existing stock driveshafts, or am I going to run into firewall clearance issues with the distributor?

Any help would be great.

 

[Poser]

" bellhousing adapter " in search this forum.... (top right of tech threads)


Three weeks ago <---- this is a link

 

[pbgbottle]

no dowel pins on that one, that adapter is older than the one in the other thread
do you also have the front bearing retainer for the tranny ,
you need the specially build / machined bearing retainer that also came with that adapter for proper clutch alignment ?
it had a big machined ring on it to index it into the hole on the bellhousing

it is recommeded to move your tranny ahead 3 inches or so for clearance and cooling issues

 

[Plowboy]

I have a copy of the first installation manual for that adaptor. PM me if you want me to send it to you.

 

[cruiserjohn]

Looks like an early Downey 4sp adapter . you will have to do drive shaft mods

 

[Dingadong]

Thanks for the info on that thread, not sure how I missed it, clarifies a lot. Bought this from IPOR used, and did not come with anything else. Is the bearing retainer required available aftermarket now, or anyone know where I might be able to acquire one? It also looks like I would have to have the nose turned down in order for the Chevy TO bearing that is needed to work, is that right??? The PO had a chrysler 318 engine and bellhousing that was ****-rigged with some serious hillbilly backcountry welding skills. So, I'm wondering if he would have had to move the trans forward already when he put this motor in. This would mean that the driveshafts I currently have may work ok... but also looks like the chrysler BH is a bit larger than the SBC, so I guess I just wont be able to tell until I mock it up.

 

[Dingadong]

Plowboy: PM sent, that manual would be great. Thanks a lot.

 

[pbgbottle]

X2 pm sent i wouldn't mind a copy also i lost mine years ago ,but i do remember i loved this install manual ,straight forward and simple .
here is a pic i found of the bearing retainer you can see the large ring on it circled in the pic.pic is of an even older downey adapter still uses cap bolts instead of counter sunk ones,
and a pic of my tranny waiting to go in my kids rig . my adapter has the dowel pins. i just am needing to purchase the clutch.
kid is on a tight budget. this tranny has been on the ground for 6 months ,

Plowboy: PM sent, that manual would be great. Thanks a lot.

 

[Dingadong]

Ok, so Im retarded. I bought a spare trans with this bellhousing already attached several months back, seems that upon seeing what the bearing retainer looks like, I had apparently pulled this off after I pulled the BH off and set it aside to clean it up, and....... forgot about it. So I do have it. Now, a few new questions. Lets start with this one. Does the collar on this look too chewed up, its kinda rough?

 

[pbgbottle]

got a pic of the top side?
looks broken to me those two pieces should be attatched together

 

[Plowboy]

Ok, so Im retarded. I bought a spare trans with this bellhousing already attached several months back, seems that upon seeing what the bearing retainer looks like, I had apparently pulled this off after I pulled the BH off and set it aside to clean it up, and....... forgot about it. So I do have it. Now, a few new questions. Lets start with this one. Does the collar on this look too chewed up, its kinda rough?

That piece is broken. It is part of the front gear cover on the 4 spd. A figure 8 looking piece with the throwout bearing collar ALL ONE Piece. You will need a new cover with the collar turned down to fit the chev throwout bearing. I broke mine a couple of years ago. Downey did not have replacement, but found one at Marks off road, allready turned down. Give Mark a call may have another laying around someplace. The aluminum ring in the picture bolts to the top of the gear cover and that is what centers the trans and input shaft.

 

[Dingadong]

Ive got the figure 8 piece, which the ring bolts to with the hex head screws.... but this is not so good then, these 2 pieces should be 1 piece? No way to fix either huh?

 

[Dingadong]

Yeah, nevermind, I looked at everything closer, I see what you are saying. No way to really fix that. Bummer. Will try Mark tomorrow, thx for that manual by the way, that answer countless questions.

 

[pbgbottle]

thanks for the manual Plowboy was this the manual that was slightly a yellowish color and was about 6 x 8 in size or something like that

thank you very much

 

[Plowboy]

thanks for the manual Plowboy was this the manual that was slightly a yellowish color and was about 6 x 8 in size or something like that

thank you very much

Yes, that is the manual I copied. I also have the later 8 1/2 by 11. Lots more information on different conversions, but it is about 800 miles away right now.

 

[Plowboy]

Yeah, nevermind, I looked at everything closer, I see what you are saying. No way to really fix that. Bummer. Will try Mark tomorrow, thx for that manual by the way, that answer countless questions.

If you locate the turned down collar, you may have to grind off two small areas on the'8' piece. Look on the broken '8' piece where the outer edge of the centering ring hits and you will see the small areas to gind. I had mine done by a machine shop, about 20 dollars. Wanted 80 to turn down the throwout collar on an extra I had. Will wait till the one I have now breaks.

 

[pbgbottle]

just for reference this is the nose cone for the adapter plate bellhousing with dowel pins ,
no aluminum ring looks stock ,
they have just turned down the nose cone to accept the chevy TO bearing . the dowel pins do all the alignment



........................

 

[Dingadong]

Well good news, Mark had a bearing retainer lying around, as well as the TO, clutch disc and PP components that I will need, so that took care of several birds with one stone. My next question is this, when looking at and comparing the input shafts on both the transmissions, the spare one has a legnth of around 7 1/8", while the one that was in the truck is around 8 1/4", the end of the shaft looks different too. Ive read nothing that input shaft modifications may be necessary for any conversion. I want to reuse the one out of the truck, that was mated to the 318. So any thoughts as to why the difference, both are 10 spline.

The picture on top is the spare, the bottom is the one pulled from the truck.

 

[Dingadong]

Im guessing that the shafts are the same, the one from the truck just has the piece on that sits in the pilot bearing.... am I close. If so, am I good to go the way it is, or will I need a different piece for the chevy pilot bearing. Does this end "piece" have an actual name?

 

[Dingadong]

From the looks of it, this piece may be tack welded onto the shaft. Part of the PO's mods to adapt to the chrysler motor? Guessing I dont need anything on the input shaft to fit the SBC, and maybe I can just cleanly remove this piece. Let me know thoughts...