Turbo 350 4x4 Strut Rod Braces

[76/85 Truck]

Hello! In the process of building a turbo 350 for my 76 Chevy K20. The bellhousing cracked completely off of the transmission that used to be in it.

I keep hearing about rods that bolt from the lower transmission bell housing to the engine block. When I bought this truck, it had no supporting bars on the transmission or transfer case.

It has an NP205 if that helps. Any ideas of where to find these rods or pictures of said rods? Trying to avoid breaking another transmission. Thanks in advance!

[andrewmp6]

You might have better luck in the 4x4 part of the forum.

[Jaysonb]

The transmissions with the rods you speak of are what is called a "k" case. It has a a more robust case, and the fly wheel cover is thick cast aluminum, and there are 2 support rods that bolt from the cover, to plates that mount under the motor mounts.

[D13]

The K case is later model 700R4 in 4wd applications and has all the features noted above. That is not directly related to the rods. The rods are used to help manage the long overhang from the t-case to the bell housing.
The support rods were used on most, if not all, 4wd applications including th400 and th350 units. I haven't really looked for new one because they were so common in the junkyards. IIRC they generally run to the engine mounts.

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by D13

The K case is later model 700R4 in 4wd applications and has all the features noted above. That is not directly related to the rods. The rods are used to help manage the long overhang from the t-case to the bell housing.
The support rods were used on most, if not all, 4wd applications including th400 and th350 units. I haven't really looked for new one because they were so common in the junkyards. IIRC they generally run to the engine mounts.

There are th350 K cases as well. The support rod that goes from the transfer case to one of the bell housing bolts is not unique to the K case, but the 2 support rods that go from the torque converter cover to the motor mount brackets is only a K case feature.

[Jaysonb]

A K case transmission has 3 support struts, 2 from the torque converter cover to the motor mount brackets, and 1 from the side of the transfer case to a bell housing bolt.

[76/85 Truck]

I can't find any online. May have to search local wrecking yards. Are they absolutely necessary? I recently heard of them, and was assuming that's why I broke the bellhousing on the last one.

[mcmlxix]

I would add a second cross member for additional support. Also, make sure all mounts are rubber or poly, don't mix and match. Also if trans mount is new and motor mounts are worn, it could cause additional stress on components as the truck flexes.

[cadillac_al]

I was waiting to see a pic of that th350 brace again. I never ever see them on trucks up here. They all must have got thrown away in their early life. My k10 looks totally unmolested and owned by an older gentleman and that rod was still gone off my truck. My buddy has one that he uses for a fireplace poker. I tried to buy it off him a few times but I figured I lived this long without it I can keep on living without it. It looks like a pia to get the bellhousing bolt started anyway. I drive fast on rough roads and haven't broke a tranny yet. I don't think the trans will break unless you are catching too much air.

That 2nd crossmember in ingenius. I may look into that.