Re: Need help finding a bellhousing for my conversion


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Posted by Charlie on Friday, January 19, 2001 at 1:30AM :

In Reply to: Need help finding a bellhousing for my conversion posted by Dave Pratt on Thursday, January 18, 2001 at 7:52PM :

Is your transfer case divorced? If so, note that the 2WD version of the NV4500 is very long - over 20". The NP540, Clark 280VO and Spicer 3053A are all much shorter. As I mentioned in my E-mail, the problem with most older bellhousings including the "cast iron" bellhousing mentioned is insufficient width to accomodate the bolt holes. Most older 4spds are 8.25-8.50" wide on top and about 9.5" on the lower set of bolt holes. The 4500 is 10.078" both top and bottom and that's usually JUST enough to be too wide for the bellhousing. Also, in the case of bolt holes 9.5" wide, drilling 0.289" away (a 0.50" hole) creates obvious metal problems.
The best way to deal with this is of course to get a bellhousing designed for the 4500. If the 360 (5.9L V8) had a 4500 (I think it did), and a late model 360 bh works on an old 318 (maybe, they're both small blocks, right? - Ray Suiter might know the answer) them you're in luck. The only other way would be to have a custom plate made with concentric (critical!) protruding ring on one side with OD = ID of bh center bore and hole with ID = bearing retainer OD. Then to attach to bh with countersunk holes and new threaded hole in bh far enough away from 4500 boltholes so there's no interference or weakening of metal. There are versions of the 4500 with 7.5" input shaft stickouts. You might need to use an extended pilot bushing.
But why go to all this trouble unless you really want a married NP205, which will require a centered rear diff from a WW2 WC. It seems easier and saves 4-8" to use a divorced older 5spd, also potentially much cheaper. Installing a Spicer 3053A might require some custom machine work but you can get a "good runner" for $4-500 from a multifuel 2.5 ton M35.
Charlie



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  • plate - Charlie 2:23AM 01/19/2001


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