Stock FE bellhousing

[RACERAL]

Does anybody run a stock bellhousing. What trans will fit behind them, 4 or 5 speed.

[4pipes]

I have a bell housing out of a Galaxy 427, with a tko600.

[Jac Mac]

Should have top loader bolt pattern or earlier 'narrow' ford bolt pattern if its before ~65. Also the FE used shorter input shaft than small blocks so check that if using later TKO or Richmond 5/6 speeds.

[Cobra #3170]

I run a stock bell housing with a Jerrico 4- speed and McLeod twin disk racing clutch. I had to shorten the input shaft and use a small block throw out arm and bearing to make everything work.

[lovehamr]

OK, I've got to ask you guys, as someone who has had a stock bell housing ventilated, why would you put all of that other aftermarket stuff in your car and then use the stock BH?

BTW, when mine got "holed" I wasn't hurt or anything, just had to go change my shorts........

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

OK, I've got to ask you guys, as someone who has had a stock bell housing ventilated, why would you put all of that other aftermarket stuff in your car and then use the stock BH?

BTW, when mine got "holed" I wasn't hurt or anything, just had to go change my shorts........

Number 1 reason they fit and are properly centered on crank shaft.
Number 2 reason lighter than a Lakewood
number 3 reason I run less than 3" frame to ground ride height

I don't worry much because the flywheel isn't some 30 pound monster and because the clutch is 8" in diameter. total weight for both 22.5 pounds.
Engine is limited at 8200 rpm so far no issues.

[blykins]

Odds are that it isn't centered....factory bellhousings are subject to manufacturing tolerances just like aftermarket bells....plus block machining is the biggest door-opener to bells being out of alignment.

Now granted, a Lakewood is prob going to be a lot further out and will need more correction, but a QuickTime is about as well made as they get....and prob lighter than your factory piece.

With that being said, if you dialed that factory bell in, that's one thing, but if you didn't check, don't count on it being centered because it's factory.

[rcobra427]

I run a stock bell housing. I have a Borg Warner T-10 with a Spec 12" diaphram clutch. I had to grind about 3/8" off the inside of the bell housing at the front of the clutch arm hole for the pressure plate to clear. Other than that, no problems.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

Number 1 reason they fit and are properly centered on crank shaft.
Number 2 reason lighter than a Lakewood
number 3 reason I run less than 3" frame to ground ride height

I don't worry much because the flywheel isn't some 30 pound monster and because the clutch is 8" in diameter. total weight for both 22.5 pounds.
Engine is limited at 8200 rpm so far no issues.

Just so we're on the same page, what ventilated my stock BH was a just a couple of errant PP springs at about 4500 rpm, not a FW or clutch explosion. JMHO here, but one needs a scatter shield like one needs seatbelts. Everything is hunky dory until something goes wrong and at 8200 rpm even small things carry massive energy.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Just so we're on the same page, what ventilated my stock BH was a just a couple of errant PP springs at about 4500 rpm, not a FW or clutch explosion. JMHO here, but one needs a scatter shield like one needs seatbelts. Everything is hunky dory until something goes wrong and at 8200 rpm even small things carry massive energy.

What was your clutch diameter that the springs came from and who was the manufacturer?

[lovehamr]

As though it matters, the clutch PP was a Mcleod 10.5". And this was about 25 years ago now.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

As though it matters, the clutch PP was a Mcleod 10.5". And this was about 25 years ago now.

I was pretty sure it would be a larger diameter just wanted to confirm.

[Morris]

Every Racing Organization that I've been involved with (Trans/Am, IMSA, SCCA and others require a Scatter shield or a approved Bell Housing other then stock.

So you just learn to build your vehicles accordingly.... based on the Safety and Rules of the organization.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Morris

Every Racing Organization that I've been involved with (Trans/Am, IMSA, SCCA and others require a Scatter shield or a approved Bell Housing other then stock.

So you just learn to build your vehicles accordingly.... based on the Safety and Rules of the organization.

Right, and if not required I will use the best FUNCTIONAL bell housing. I am not aware of one for an FE, but a small diameter racing bell housing that relocates the starter and uses a small diameter flywheel like Transam cars would be fine. Running my car up in the air to clear a scatter shield flange is not something I am willing to do. Trimming the flange negates the function of the scatter shield so since the organizations I run with don't require it I don't run one. I have not seen nor heard of a modern small diameter clutch or flywheel blowing up although I am sure there are some examples. I have however, seen cast iron flywheels blow up and take out toes, feet and in one case a spectator when the factory bell housing could not contain the explosion. That is where the rules came from initially and a 30 pound 12" flywheel or large diameter clutch assembly has plenty of stored energy at 6500 rpm. Light weight small diameter components do not have the stored energy or the tendency to heat crack like the old junk that people used to and sometimes still run. I have run my car at an NHRA track, Vintage event, SAAC events, SCCA autox and Goodguys events with the current set up and passed tech at all of them.