The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 'Bolter needs ideas

Here is an e-mail I recieved from a fellow 'bolter but whom I am unfortunately unable to help. I referred him to Buffalo Enterprises but he has previously contacted them. Please off any advice you can. Thanks.

" I am trying to mate the 38 sedan three spd to the 50's 4 speed bellhsg in a 38 P.U. I have a 49/50 rear that was machined down 30 years ago, by utilizing the shorter 3 speed it can be adjusted to center in the wheel openings. If I was closer to civilization another machine job on the torque tube would end my frustration.
However I have learned there is a 1/2 plate adapter that can be inserted and an extended pilot bushing obtained from Speedway motors that would accomplish this.
Can you guide me to a supplier of this adapter plate, or your best solution,its a toy and occasional pleasure."

Anyone? Someone must know where this can be obtained.

I'm confused. Is the adapter plate used to push the wheels back in the opening? My 1st thought would be to use an earlier bellhousing... up to 46, but I think the transmissions had a different mounting pattern from car to truck back then.

Well the adapter would sandwich between the Bell and sedan Trans. It would accomodate the sedan trans bolt spacing, the truck Bell bolt spacing and require an extended pilot bushing available from speed way motors. The sedan 3 speed is approx. 3 inches shorter than a truck Trans this allows the wheels to match the fender opening. At the time, 30 years ago, I had the torque tube shortened it was my daily transportation, appearance meant nothing, just get it going. If,IF I lived close to civilization thats the route I should go. But I would still have a useless 4 speed.
Bye the way Buffalo recomended placing the 3 speed to the truck Bell, centering it in the opening drill new holes and get on with it. I'm in the process now. Hope I don't need a stick of TNT.
Thanks Guys
gene

There is a company called Advance Adapter, Inc. that offers all kinds of adapters for different transmissions and engines. I was looking for an adapter to use a Buick V-6 with a Chevy 350 tranny and they have that and about anything else you can imagine.
Good luck.

Advance Adapters is great for adapting SBC or BBC to different types of transmissions. they also make adapters, but for all purposes they do not make adapters to sandwhich a 38 sedan transmission to a 54 chevy truck bellhousing. In fact they don't really offer any adapters that would fit the bellhousing of an Advance Design or Task Force truck bellhousing. I put a NV4500 behind an AA adapter plate on my 59 gmc. I had to machine it down to index properly to the bellhousing. the chevy bellhousing adapters they sell are indexed to the 68 and later bellhousing pattern with the bearing retainers that are 5.125 inches in diameter. The 48-67 bellhousings were indexed at 4.686 inches. what this means is that the adapter plate they sell will not fit inside the older bellhousing unless you do 1 of 2 things... bore out the bellhousing, or turn down the adapter plate. Still apples and oranges for the 1947 and earlier bellhousings.