extended bellhousing?

Where there any other early V8s that came with blocks that incorporated a extended bell housing besides the Hemi? What was the purpose of this design? What led to it be faded out?
Thanks guys.

 

yes, the flathead ford had a bellhousing that was cast as part of the block. not sure why they did it.

 

Early olds and caddys did too makes it kind of a pain it the ass to make work with your favorite trans.

 

Any pics of these blocks?

 

It's just one of those things.....kinda like Mercury and Oldsmobile both going to a carburetor with a rear air inlet in '49. I can understand it on the '53 Studebaker, since hood clearance was so close.

 

early Olds..

 

Thanks guys. I find this kind of stuff very interesting and can't get enough of it.

 

I was sent this link. Its got some very interesting hemi info in it.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/hemi/chrysler-hemi.html

Thanks goes out to Cleverlever for the email.

 

Great link! Can't wait to read through everything!

 

Anyone else have any info on the why of the extended bell housings? Any more pics?

 

331 caddy