The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 55-59 V8 bell housing

Looking for a part number for a 55-59 V8 bell housing. Were they the same throughout those years?
Thanks hb32

Talked to good friend of mine tonight, said his first truck was a 55 3100. When he blew up the 235, he said he bought a bellhousing and bolted a 327 right up to the stock 3 on the tree. Can this be done, or is the liquid courage clouding his memory?

B Bri
Could be done with any 55-59 v8 truck bellhousing or 60-67 V8 truck bellhousing or 63-68 6 cylinder truck bellhousing.

The rear of the engine would mount on the existing crossmember, just like the stock 6. Clutch and transmission would work just like stock. You would lose your floor starter, and you would have to figure out how to bolt the front of the engine down, but that has already been figured out for you.

Thanks bigbadswingdaddy. Of course I will now ask again for HB32, anyone know the part numbers that will work for this?

Hy hb32,there were 3 or 4 different part numbers for V8 bellhousings from 55-59 3716597 was the first, 3776887 was the last which superseded 3742055 and 3742053. The newer ones bigbadswingdaddy mentioned have a larger hole for the throwout arm, as the newer arms were formed, and the early ones were cast or forged, and the 60 - 62 bellhousings may have the throwout arm hole on the right side rather than the left, for a hydraulic clutch setup. On another matter I sent you a P.M. which you don't seem to have read yet, please read it and let me know, thanks.

Thanks for the info and sorry for the slow reply on the pm as I am still trying to figure this place out. Just managed to slide the truck through aircare yesterday and now waiting on collector plates. Unfortunately, I am scheduled to work that day and would like to take a rain cheque.

hb32,

You might want to take a look at http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/bellhousings.html in the "Tech Tips" section. I'm pretty sure I covered at least, some of the part numbers.

Best wishes,

Les

to answer your question, yes there are numerous different bell housings. mounts can be different too. make sure you can bolt up to your truck not jst the front of the housing, but the bolts to the actual truck