The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 41 Chevy truck bellhousing

II want to do a t5 swap but my bellhousing has the wrong bolt pattern.
What bellhousing do I need ?
I think the engine is a 55 235 don’t know what bellhousing.
The transmission is a 4 speed.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks

When I replaced the mounts on either side of the bellhousing
The stock monunts bolted right up.

Do you have Ford pattern T-5? GM bolt pattern should fit up. The retainer diameter might need to be modified?

Ed

I have done a lot of reading off site. My bellhousing is a 1942 Chevy truck 839257.
Looks like I need a different bellhousing or an adapter.
I have the Chevy S10 t5, trans is already modified to the specs on this site (opps)
Looks like I am going to need a new big retainer now, so I can use the adapter
That moves the trans back 1/2”.
My other option would be to replace the bellhousing, I want to keep the stock clutch setup
And the park brake and foot start.
This is my first posting here, but I have been reading up on this here for months.
Just didn’t want to pull the trans till I was ready to put it in on a weekend.
Think I have it figured out now.

Hy FB42, welcome, I am not familiar with the T5 transmission, but I do have the different bellhousings. If you could post the diameter of the T5 front bearing retainer I could check the bellhousings to see if I have an appropriate one. I'm just down the road in Rosedale.

FB42 To me it was easier to get an adapter plate than to have to figure out how to rig up a new system for the clutch and brake pedals that would be required if you changed out the bellhousing. There is a lot of info in the tech tips here on this site.

Changing over to a T5 is one of the best improvements I've made to my 46.
Good luck with your project.

George

I think Advance Adapters in CA makes a shim to use small retainer trans in large hole bellhousing.

Ed

Hi George
From what I’ve read the 47-53 truck bellhousing will work.
I’m just not sure about the starter location.
Do you have one of those ?
I can’t use the adapter as I have already had everything cut down. The adapter is 3/4” thick
and would move the transmission back to far, my input shaft would only be in 5/16” into the
pilot bushing .

Thanks Ed , see my post to George.
Mine has a smaller hole and the bolt pattern is wrong.
Not sure what I’m dealing with, someone put in a 235 with a 4 speed
torque tube diff. They did a nice job!
I want the 5 speed and open shaft. Rear diff is already done.

Thanks 3B.
I modified my trans as per the specs on this site.
Worked out to be the exact same as the trans I pulled out.
I believe it’s the SM-420.
Then I hit the wall with the wrong bolt pattern.
Hole 4.625 “
Bolt pattern top 8.25”
Bolt pattern bottom 9.125
If I knew how to post pictures I would.

46forme.
I can find a 47-53 truck bellhousing it is the perfect swap, still use stock clutch and foot start

I have been looking through this site for months now, never posted or commented before.
I can’t believe the response and help on my first post.
Thank you all. I’m new to the Chevy stuff and being a 1942 having a hard time finding anything including information.
There is a lot of good reading on this site, and a wealth of knowledge.
Seems like a good bunch of guys as well,
Would anyone know if the starter and ring gear are the same on a 47-53 truck as the 41-46 .

According to 1929 - 1957 Chevrolet Master Parts & Accessories Catalog
Group # 0.666 Flywheel with ring gear 42-53 are all the same depending on tonnage

Excellent, so the 47-53 bellhousing should fit.
I did find a 53 with the t5 chevy bolt pattern.
Thank you

Picked up a bellhousing tonight back on track.
Thank you 3B , and thank you to everyone else for all the info and help.

Made up the clutch adapter Brit tonight, had to modify it a little to fit the WC transmission. Webbing on the sides of the transmission are different than the older nwc.
All done ready to swap the bellhousing.
Clear sailing now !
Thank you 3B & Marvin Ribbich

Hy FB42, that's great news, could you post pictures of the pedal support modifications so that everyone may see how to do it?

I kept the original bellhousing for the T-5 swap in my 46 pickup because it was easier to make (or purchase) an adaptor than to lose the master cyl bracket mount.. Also the adaptor pushed the T-5 back enough so that I didn't have to shorten the input shaft, made the job easier for me. I also was able to keep the stock rear crossmember by moving it back a few inch also made a rubber mount that fit the new trans. Best of luck
Jim

Hmm see if I can figure out how to post pictures.
Mine will look different had to modify it a little more
To fit the webbing on the WC chevy bolt pattern.
Was very easy took maybe an hour.
Thanks again 3B