What Bellhousing do I need for my 283?

[samtheman97]

Hi all, I am in the process of doing a 250 to 283 engine swap. I took the old Bellhousing off the 250 before I junked it. My question here is this- can I use my old bell on my new 283? The main thing I'm concerned about is my starter. I'm not sure if this helps, but I do have some numbers. On the left side looking at the back of the bell it says GM11 on the right side it says 3815891. I'm putting a Muncie 4 speed behind it, but it seems the hole on the Bell is too small. Could I just widen it out with a plasma cutter? Thanks guys! Oh, and btw, its in a 1966 Chevy c-10. Thanks again!!!

[padresag]

Originally Posted by samtheman97

Hi all, I am in the process of doing a 250 to 283 engine swap. I took the old Bellhousing off the 250 before I junked it. My question here is this- can I use my old bell on my new 283? The main thing I'm concerned about is my starter. I'm not sure if this helps, but I do have some numbers. On the left side looking at the back of the bell it says GM11 on the right side it says 3815891. I'm putting a Muncie 4 speed behind it, but it seems the hole on the Bell is too small. Could I just widen it out with a plasma cutter? Thanks guys! Oh, and btw, its in a 1966 Chevy c-10. Thanks again!!!

How true a job do you think you could it with a plasma cutter.
is the muncie 4 speed out of a newer truck. that hole got enlarged in trucks in 67. the bellhousing and flywheel will fit from a 250 to 283 or a 409. the input bearing retainer dia was mad larger in 67 in light duty trucks when they went from the sm 420 trans to the sm365. passenger cars stayed the same. you can use the later bellhousing also but do not know whether it mounts the same way to the crossmember
one can machine out the whole larger but you want it to be true as that is what aligns the trans to the engine via the b/housing
ron

[samtheman97]

Thanks for the reply Ron, I was wondering the same thing myself, but I am skilled in plasma cutting. My question is if I do get a newer bell, how do I mount it? Could I fabricate mounts?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by samtheman97

Thanks for the reply Ron, I was wondering the same thing myself, but I am skilled in plasma cutting. My question is if I do get a newer bell, how do I mount it? Could I fabricate mounts?

like I said I doubt whether you could cut a true circle machined surface within a couple of thou of an inch.
it he bell housing doesn't match up on the mounting your newer trans should be able to have a rear mount on the tailshaft. just put in a rear trans crossmember and do not use just the emerg brake one as you need something a little better
ron

[samtheman97]

You've got a point there. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to mess with my Bellhousing mounts. So lets say I took this Bellhousing to a professional machine shop and had it widened, would my starter hook up?

[padresag]

widening that hole has nothing to do with the starter..
I don't knpw what starter that you have. if it is the starter from the 250 that came with that bellhosing, yes it will work. if you are using the same flywheel or one of the same dia and with the same nbr of teeth on the ring gear. there were 2 different ring gears used that will fit these engines
ron

[61K10]

just get a B/H from a 67-72 tk that has the bigger hole and still has thB/H mounts

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 61K10

just get a B/H from a 67-72 tk that has the bigger hole and still has thB/H mounts

I wasn't certain that they still had that
ron

[Lugnutz65]

If you read the factory service manual, you will see that the center bore hole in the bell housing is very important. That hole is what makes sure the transmission input shaft if perfectly centered in line with the engine crank shaft and pilot bushing. Therefore I doubt that anyone but a machinist could cut the hole larger and do it correctly.

Which is another way of saying you should search for a bell with the correct larger center bore that matches your transmission.

[Captainfab]

When one says a 'Muncie 4 speed' that typically means a Muncie M20, 21 or 22 car transmission. It sounds to me like you are wanting to install a SM465 truck transmission which has the 5-1/8" diameter front bearing retainer.

You will need to either have your existing bellhousing center hole enlarged at a machine shop, or simply find a '68-'72 truck bellhousing. Enlarging the hole with a plasma cutter is not acceptable.

If you are using the same size flywheel on the 283 as was on your 250, the starter will work.

[samtheman97]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

When one says a 'Muncie 4 speed' that typically means a Muncie M20, 21 or 22 car transmission. It sounds to me like you are wanting to install a SM465 truck transmission which has the 5-1/8" diameter front bearing retainer.

You will need to either have your existing bellhousing center hole enlarged at a machine shop, or simply find a '68-'72 truck bellhousing. Enlarging the hole with a plasma cutter is not acceptable.

If you are using the same size flywheel on the 283 as was on your 250, the starter will work.

Posted via Mobile Device

[61K10]

use the same mounts as the l6---bell from e-bay

[Captainfab]

You don't need to move anything. The engine mounts and the bellhousing crossmember stay right where they are. You just need the correct bellhousing and drop your engine and trans in your truck.

[samtheman97]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You don't need to move anything. The engine mounts and the bellhousing crossmember stay right where they are. You just need the correct bellhousing and drop your engine and trans in your truck.

Posted via Mobile Device

[samtheman97]

What's the number for the correct bell? Should I just get my I6 bell machined? Any and all help is very much appreciated! Thanks a million!!! P.S. where could I find a bell that has the same opening as my Muncie? Thanks again!! -Sam
Posted via Mobile Device

[nhr3]

I think I have the right bell housing for sale if you are interested. We would just have to figure out price and shipping. PM if you are interested and I will dig it out and take measurements and pictures. It came out of a 65 that I had converted to a later model three speed. I have clutch, flywheel and starter also available for this set up.

[61K10]

I guess he doesn't read his own thread.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 61K10

I guess he doesn't read his own thread.

maybe he did and didn't say anything. I looked at the guys ebay store and didn't say anything. it showed 60 bellhousings, 2 of which were 63-66 truck, but no later ones. perhaps if you had posted the direct link to it; it may be there
ron

[61K10]

it's the right part # ron

[padresag]

can you get the link to it
ron

[samtheman97]

Posted via Mobile Device hey guys! Sorry for the late response, I've been really busy with work. I'm interested in the Bellhousing for sale, any links would be great! Thanks a million! -Sam

[padresag]

Originally Posted by samtheman97

Posted via Mobile Device hey guys! Sorry for the late response, I've been really busy with work. I'm interested in the Bellhousing for sale, any links would be great! Thanks a million! -Sam

I would look under 67-72 parts for sale here on the forum. you might find one there and it would more than likely be less money than the one listed
ron

[61K10]

I thought about getting one for if i ever went with a nv4500--they sure don't give them away $$$. funny back in around 1966 i sold my 58 f/s to my B-I-L and it had a mickey mouse bell from a 55 car. He bought a new truck one from the chevy dealer for $20 lol.

[samtheman97]

That's awesome!!!does anyone know how wide the M10 trans is is up front? And what I mean by that is the round piece behind the input shaft that goes with the Bell. I took some calipers to it and got 5.125"-5.127" for readings
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

When one says a 'Muncie 4 speed' that typically means a Muncie M20, 21 or 22 car transmission. It sounds to me like you are wanting to install a SM465 truck transmission which has the 5-1/8" diameter front bearing retainer.

You will need to either have your existing bellhousing center hole enlarged at a machine shop, or simply find a '68-'72 truck bellhousing. Enlarging the hole with a plasma cutter is not acceptable.

If you are using the same size flywheel on the 283 as was on your 250, the starter will work.

Originally Posted by samtheman97

That's awesome!!!does anyone know how wide the M10 trans is is up front? And what I mean by that is the round piece behind the input shaft that goes with the Bell. I took some calipers to it and got 5.125"-5.127" for readings
Posted via Mobile Device

As Captainfab mentioned earlier, the 5 + 1/8" (5.125") center bore is the one you will need. If you get one with the crossmember mount (like in the picture above) then you can keep your current bell mount crossmember and it will bolt up. As far as I know, early Chevy bells came with only two different center bore sizes, either 4 +11/16" or 5 +1/8". Now you have to hunt for one.