Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RedRoad · 01-02-2016, 12:04 AM

I searched but didnt see any specific posts. I have two 465/205 assemblies from a 74 K10 both with aluminum bell housings. Can I use these for an auto to manual swap or do I have to go to the cast housing?

thanks

b454rat · 01-02-2016, 10:43 AM

GM did, why not?

**special-K** · 01-02-2016, 12:23 PM

You mean cast iron, right? Both aluminum and iron bell housings are cast pieces. I didn't know GM used aluminum housings in 4spd later on. I guess that worked out, but it does seem right to have a cast iron housing connecting a cast iron engine and transmission.

RedRoad · 01-02-2016, 01:17 PM

I guess the wording was a bit wierd. I do not have a cast iron housing but I do have two good 73 up aluminum housings.

I would like to use the aluminum housing if possible but looking at both types I noticed the Z bar ball on the aluminum one screws directly into the housing while the cast one uses a bolt on bracket. Since I dont have a cast iron one on hand to measure any difference in location I was wondering if the Z bar will even work when using the late housing on an early body/frame

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-02-2016, 10:26 PM

Tomorrow I will try and get you some pictures, I have an 83 aluminum bellhousing and a 71 cast iron bell housing and even different is the 87 bell housing on my K5 which has hydraulic clutch. And we can see if we can get you some answers.

RedRoad · 01-03-2016, 02:46 AM

Thanks I appreciate the replies.

I would like to see any differences in housing width (engine flange to trans flange)

What I think I need to figure out is the z bar situation. Are 71-72 z bars the same for 2wd vs 4wd?

**special-K** · 01-03-2016, 10:08 AM

I have seen differences, can't recall just what, why, or when. But I have also seen the factory use mounting plates for the pivot ball to move it's location forward or back

b454rat · 01-03-2016, 11:55 AM

Most blocks will have either a hole already there for a pivot ball, or there will be a boss, just have to drill and tap. But I don't know if that was for trucks or cars. I did one to a car, but thinking it is for cars and not trucks. I had a 75 and 84 that had the ball on the bell. Made it fun wheeling, putting it in 4 low with shot motor mounts would let the motor twist enough to let the z-bar fall out.

**special-K** · 01-04-2016, 07:26 AM

^^^ That's how it got on the '77 K30 I had. It would 'torque' itself loose at the worse time, like in a bog or hill climbing

bmchevy1979 · 01-04-2016, 09:28 AM

B454rat I believe you are correct it does mount to the block atleast my buddies 67c20 did. I feel your pain on the clutch z-bar special-k thats exactly how my74 k5 is now but I have newer motor mounts and a fairly healthy motor it's a royal pain in the you know what to have to fix it on a hill because it's stuck in gear and there isn't a vehicle big enough to flat drag it to a better spot

**special-K** · 01-05-2016, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmchevy1979

I feel your pain on the clutch z-bar special-k thats exactly how my74 k5 is now but I have newer motor mounts and a fairly healthy motor it's a royal pain in the you know what to have to fix it on a hill because it's stuck in gear and there isn't a vehicle big enough to flat drag it to a better spot

My mounts were all good. A lot of the problem was frame flex, then there was that rat 454, 4.56s, and 37s

This thread has good info:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...52106877294960

bmchevy1979 · 01-05-2016, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

My mounts were all good. A lot of the problem was frame flex, then there was that rat 454, 4.56s, and 37s

This thread has good info:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...52106877294960

It does seem to be frame flex even though my 350 isn't a torque monster but with 3.73 gears the torque it does have gets put through the drivetrain. I have had it come loose when it was burried frame deep in sand as well as mud. And a few up hill battles that when i decided to let off and get another run it pops loose

b454rat · 01-04-2016, 11:44 AM

I'm not sure if I did it to the 84 or not, but can always put a chain on the driver side to limit movement. Back in the day I had a car that the mounts were TOAST, so bad that doing a line lock (power brake as some say), with the hood open you could see the motor completely lift off the mount. I put a small chain on it to keep it in place.

El Dorado Jim · 01-04-2016, 11:00 PM

I have a '74 K20 with the aluminum bell housing sm465/205 It has held up for over 20 years behind a 454...I removed the original 350 engine 350 auto trans/205 combo in 1995 and haven't had any issues with the alum bell housing, I recently removed the cast iron bellhousing , and sm465 trans/ 205 in my '72 K20,trans case was noisy, I had a setupfrom a '74, I installed it with no problems, just had to use the old clutch release arm, and had to change the pivot ball from the old cast bellhousing to the aluminum housing, I like using the alum bellhousing , it is so much lighter and I can use the 2-bolt starter like the rest of my trucks use... we did the same setup in my sons '70 gmc K20

01-02-2016, 12:04 AM	#1
RedRoad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 927	Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? I searched but didnt see any specific posts. I have two 465/205 assemblies from a 74 K10 both with aluminum bell housings. Can I use these for an auto to manual swap or do I have to go to the cast housing? thanks

01-02-2016, 10:43 AM	#2
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? GM did, why not? __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

01-02-2016, 12:23 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? You mean cast iron, right? Both aluminum and iron bell housings are cast pieces. I didn't know GM used aluminum housings in 4spd later on. I guess that worked out, but it does seem right to have a cast iron housing connecting a cast iron engine and transmission. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-02-2016, 01:17 PM	#4
RedRoad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 927	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? I guess the wording was a bit wierd. I do not have a cast iron housing but I do have two good 73 up aluminum housings. I would like to use the aluminum housing if possible but looking at both types I noticed the Z bar ball on the aluminum one screws directly into the housing while the cast one uses a bolt on bracket. Since I dont have a cast iron one on hand to measure any difference in location I was wondering if the Z bar will even work when using the late housing on an early body/frame

01-02-2016, 10:26 PM	#5
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? Tomorrow I will try and get you some pictures, I have an 83 aluminum bellhousing and a 71 cast iron bell housing and even different is the 87 bell housing on my K5 which has hydraulic clutch. And we can see if we can get you some answers. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

01-03-2016, 02:46 AM	#6
RedRoad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 927	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? Thanks I appreciate the replies. I would like to see any differences in housing width (engine flange to trans flange) What I think I need to figure out is the z bar situation. Are 71-72 z bars the same for 2wd vs 4wd?

01-03-2016, 10:08 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? I have seen differences, can't recall just what, why, or when. But I have also seen the factory use mounting plates for the pivot ball to move it's location forward or back __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-03-2016, 11:55 AM	#8
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? Most blocks will have either a hole already there for a pivot ball, or there will be a boss, just have to drill and tap. But I don't know if that was for trucks or cars. I did one to a car, but thinking it is for cars and not trucks. I had a 75 and 84 that had the ball on the bell. Made it fun wheeling, putting it in 4 low with shot motor mounts would let the motor twist enough to let the z-bar fall out. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

01-04-2016, 07:26 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? ^^^ That's how it got on the '77 K30 I had. It would 'torque' itself loose at the worse time, like in a bog or hill climbing __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-04-2016, 09:28 AM	#10
bmchevy1979 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 707	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? B454rat I believe you are correct it does mount to the block atleast my buddies 67c20 did. I feel your pain on the clutch z-bar special-k thats exactly how my74 k5 is now but I have newer motor mounts and a fairly healthy motor it's a royal pain in the you know what to have to fix it on a hill because it's stuck in gear and there isn't a vehicle big enough to flat drag it to a better spot __________________ <Brandon> 1974 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 350sbc/SM465/NP205, dana44 front, corp 14bolt rear with 4.10s and a powertrax locker, custom rear bumper 400sbc in the works. 1981 GMC C1500 stepside 250i6, 3spd, 12bolt with 3.08s 2.5/4drop on 15x10 with 275/50r15 81 GMC C3500 cab-chassis dually with utility bed 350sbc, Sm465, 14bolt with 4.10s nv4500 getting ready to go in 1979 Chevrolet K5 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434096 1976 Chevrolet C10 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434195

01-04-2016, 11:44 AM	#13
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? I'm not sure if I did it to the 84 or not, but can always put a chain on the driver side to limit movement. Back in the day I had a car that the mounts were TOAST, so bad that doing a line lock (power brake as some say), with the hood open you could see the motor completely lift off the mount. I put a small chain on it to keep it in place. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

01-04-2016, 11:00 PM	#14
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Can you use aluminum bell housing on 72 and earlier? I have a '74 K20 with the aluminum bell housing sm465/205 It has held up for over 20 years behind a 454...I removed the original 350 engine 350 auto trans/205 combo in 1995 and haven't had any issues with the alum bell housing, I recently removed the cast iron bellhousing , and sm465 trans/ 205 in my '72 K20,trans case was noisy, I had a setupfrom a '74, I installed it with no problems, just had to use the old clutch release arm, and had to change the pivot ball from the old cast bellhousing to the aluminum housing, I like using the alum bellhousing , it is so much lighter and I can use the 2-bolt starter like the rest of my trucks use... we did the same setup in my sons '70 gmc K20



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