chevy bellhousing patterns

[lilbill]

will a sbc bolt up to a 216 bellhousing? i need to replace the 216 in my 52 chevy truck (cracked block). i've got another 216 but i wouldn't mind putting a v-8 in it if anything else will bolt up to the driveline that's in it. right now it still has the closed driveshaft rearend with a 4 spd tranny.

[Winfab]

A SBC will not bolt up to a 216 bellhousing. The only match I'd know that would be an upgrade (in my opinion) would be a 235. I think there are some larger Cu. In. engines in that same family as well.

[lilbill]

drat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
why is it that these "just get it running and drive it" projects always snowball into full blown major reconstruction projects ?
(i guess it's just more fun that way http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[burger]

There are adapter plates to mate a small block to the early Chevy tranny.


Ed

[Bruce Lancaster]

Truck case (three speed) differs from passenger-and I believe is same as V8. Will research.

That is, trans case, not bellhousing!

[Bruce Lancaster]

Hmmm--can't find enough info with the few useful books I have smuggled into this theological library to fully confirm this, but I remember it that way--measure that flange. The reference I have here is a writeup on the fabled X-shift Chevy trans. This was an aluminum case based on floorshift Chevy case set up to take '55 innards, floor shift top, and either '55 Chevy or early Ford tail.

[Upchuck]

the 216 bell housing won't bolt to the sbc one but if your putting a sbc in it I think the tranny will bolt to the v8 bellhousing

I did a 57 chevy truck years ago with a 283 and used a 53 1 ton tranny and it all bolted up

[burger]

Bruce is dead on the money (as usual). '48-up truck bellhousings have the same 4-bolt transmission bolt pattern as the '55-up passenger car bellhousing. What you need is a 55-57? car bellhousing. Those have pads for mid engine mounts. I'm not sure if Advance Design trucks have a dedicated tranny crossmember, but if they do, you wouldn't need to use mid mounts with an engine that has side mounts.


Ed

[lilbill]

veeeerrryy interesting. there just happens to be a guy i know here who salvages and rebuilds 55-57 chevys http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. he's got a bunch of that stuff laying around, i'll go see if he'll get off any of it.

[raven]

You interested in a complete running 216?
r

[lilbill]

[ QUOTE ]
You interested in a complete running 216?
r

[/ QUOTE ]

no,thanks anyway but i've got another good used 216 if i decide to go back stock. the bitch is that the p.o. put in a new completly overhauled 216(new pistons,rods,cam,lifters etc. along with a new crank converted to inserts) about 200 miles before the block cracked and he parked it.

here's what i can't decide:

1) just put another 216 in it.
2) replace the 216 with a 235
3) keep the stock 4spd and closed driveline but put a sbc in place of the 216
4) put a 350/350 in it with an open driveline and rear axle swap.
5) stick a complete s-10 chassis under it.

decisions...decisions.....