The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 230, 250, 292 Bellhousing

I'm a little embarrassed but I forgot: I had a 66 C10 with 250 almost 30 years ago and I don't remember. Does the bellhousing have mounting pads/ears that rest on a crossmember? Like a 216, 235, 261? If not how do these engines mount. I know about the side mounts. I guess I thought a crossmember under the trans carried the rear weight in a 3-point style mounting. Right or wrong? Or is there a difference between truck and car engine mounting? Thanks!!
(I have fooled around with AD pickups so long... I don't know much about later model stuff.) My question is related to AD trucks ala how to put a 250, 292 in one. Thanks

yes, the bell housing has two rubber mounts that sandwitch between crossmember and it. one 1/2 fine thread ( if i remember) attaches it on each side . that's for the 66 you were talking about. i think the later bell housings are a little different.

The 63-72 models had mounts on the bell houseing, which was cast iron. 73 up used the 3 point mounting with a fully enclosed aluminum bell houseing.

For several months in 05 I had a 71 C10 with 250 and THM 350. I crawled around under that truck quite a bit. I am reasonably sure there were no crossmember mounts on it except under the tail of the trans. Were the automatics different? Were the V8's different? I also found this tech tip about the bellhousings. That's what got me to thinking. Another thing I remembered is my other 50 Chevy 3/4-ton that had a 307 V8 when I got it. It had what I thought was a 55-57 Chevy car V8 bellhousing with the ears mounted right on the original crossmember. It had homemade side motor mounts. A pretty clean install... back to my questions: I have seen several 230/250/292 swaps in AD trucks but could not see all the details. Is this as straight forward of a swap as it appears? What about the radiator? Thanks

The 1970 250 I bought had a standard bellhousing, no mounts. This engine used two side mounts on the engine and one
tailshaft mount. It came from a Chevelle. Joe

Car bellhousings are different from trucks. In 58 Chevy changed to a 3 point mount on cars. 55-57 cars mount on the bellhousing but are a different configuration than the trucks of the same period. If you obtain a truck bellhousing for your conversion you will need a matching crossmember from a TF truck or 60's truck. You could also use any other bellhousing and obtain a universal crossmember for the rear of the trans providing the trans has provisions for a mount. As George indicated the bellhousing from a 63-72 V-8 or 6 cyl truck will work. A 55-59 truck V-8 bellousing will also work on the later 6 cyl engines.
Fred

Thanks. I guess I understand... so I can't mount a 292 on my original crossmember?

Nope, although you may be able to modify it depending on which bellhousing you are able to find. The best way is to find the TF crossmember. There should be some out there as they usually are removed for auto trans conversions.
Fred

Frank,
You are remembering only part of the early days,lol
You can put a "late L Six" or a V8 for that matter in an early truck
They both have the same bolt pattern,but ya gotta change out the rear crossmember.
Up thru 53 on the trucks,the mount pad surfaces on either side of the bellhouse was virtually Flat i.e. parallel to the ground.
In 54 the mount system and bellhouse changed to have a 2 piece sleeved thru the bottom bevel/angled mount.
To put that 292 in Your 50 you need IDEALLY a 54/55 1st series crossmember,which will bolt/rivit directly in place of your old one.
OR as a second choice a 55/72 truck crossmember.
It,ll have the right angle on the mount pads, but I,m not sure of the frame rail width and/or if its the same as the A D Trucks.
Obviously You are gonna need the correct GM corporate bellhouse to match that engine,
cause the bell of your old 216/235 is TOTALLY Different.
Regards,
Steve Sr.

Thanks. I seem to remember about the crossmember changing in 54. That helps clear it up...

You see, I have been thinking/dreaming about a diesel conversion and almost any potential diesel involves major surgery. Of the ones that will "fit" I am not gaining very much in terms of useful power/torque or mpg. There is a guy posting his progress of putting a 4-53 Detroit in a 50 Chevy 1-ton 9' pickup on the 4btswaps forum. Our Grigg has corresponded with him. I have posted on there too. But I am beginning to think that a hot 292 or 302 Jimmy may do me just as well.