The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Which bellhousing - early 216 to T5

Hello!

Haven't been on in a while 'cause I'm trying to get my latest project on the road, and I've been enjoying driving my '53 3100 that's pretty much "done". The project in question isvnot a truck, but it's old and it's got a Stovebolt in it, so I hope I'm not out of bounds seeking help here. Anyway...

The vehicle in question is a '41 Chevy Master Deluxe coupe with the original 216. I've got a T5 ready to go in, and the '57 Chevy rear with 3.70 gears already bolted in place.

I know that the early bellhousing does NOT have the standard Muncie/T5 tranny bolt pattern, so I cannot use it, but I do need to know which one I CAN use.

I want to keep the stomp starter, and I plan to keep the original 6V flywheel and just run the starter on 12V.

Longer term plans are to build the 261 I have sitting in the corner to make a "period correct" hot rod.

Can anyone advise me as to which bellhousing I have to use?

Thanks...

Chris

In the Tech Tips Steve Lemaster used a SM420 bellhousing from a truck.

Check with Dave at Vintagemetalworks in Ohio. He was working on a adapter to mate the t5 to the car bellhousing.

Mid fifties car bellhousing allows a T-5 to be bolted up to it, but I would have to be sure that bellhousing will bolt to the engine you plan to use.
You might be better off just getting an adapter for your set up. Seems like that might be easier.

Your biggest problem is that the stock 41 trans is also your rear motor mount, the T-5 wont be up to that task.

transmissionadapters.com thats who I used to get an adapter plate to use a t-5 with my old 216 bellhousing and I kept my foot starter on my 46 1/2ton i have pictures to show how I did it Im running my original 216 with a t-5 and an s-10 rear and my truck runs great

the bellhousing is what uses the rear motor mounts

I have installed a T5 in a 1941 pass before.
Any 1948-59 6 cylinder truck bellhousing will work, they have the correct bolt pattern for the T5 and floor start.
The 41 side mounts on the bellhousing stay the same( these bellhousings are drilled and tapped for them).
The problem is the trans crossmember is in the way. I sectioned it and moved it back to clear and mount the trans.
The E' brake linkage will also need to be modified.

I did the same thing with my trans crossmember sectioned it 1" in the middle and moved it back and drilled new holes for it... I bought an electric inline e-brake from speedway for my truck, works great, just flip a switch