Title states the problem.

Why is a steel bellhousing prefered over the aluminum for a SM465?

Is it a big deal if the SM465 has a crossmember RIGHT behind it?

I intend to put a SM465 behind a Chevy 4.3L V6 in the future that will have a custom NP203 adapter with provitions for a crossmember built into it.

The cast iron bellhousing is about the same thickness as the aluminum one, but it is cast iron compared to aluminum. :p

I have the cast iron one on my truck. One reason I like it is because sometimes I run like 7000 rpm and if my clutch flew apart I want something to stop it before it cuts my leg off (that has actually happened to people).

The reason I hate it is because I can't find anyone who makes a lower cover for it. You may remember me from the 2002 TTC as the guy who got last because mud plugged up my clutch in hole one of the Tank Trap.:flipoff2:

you have built an entire truck but you can't build a bellhousing cover?????:flipoff2:

I built one. It sucks though.

The truck I pulled my drivetrain from has the aluminum bellhousing. And the way I figure it, if it has held up to a 330 horse crate motor, sm 465 and my 18 year old brother and his constant "Watch I can pull a wheeling my 5000 pound blazer" :rolleyes: I think it will be fine. Ain't nothing I am gonna do any worse that what he has already done to the poor thing.

Guess that's why the clutch/tranny/t-case/drivelines/yokes and diffs had to be rebuilt after his very last trip to cruise spot. :laughing:

Although the cast iron bellhousings might contain the clutch somewhat better, they are not SFI rated. Get a scattershield if you dont want your feet cut off. Dont trust a nearing 30 year old cast iron bellhousing to protect your dogs. Check summit for them.

I used the aluminum pontiac car bellhousing to mate a 400HP pontiac 455 to my ranger OD and sm465 and had no problems.

-brett

The mounting point for the shift fork on the aluminum housing breaks off. A cool trick with the steel housing is you can get a gear reduction starter for 30 bucks. Find a wrecking yard that scraps UPS vans. You will see.

An additional "Plus" of the steel bellhousing is that it is so easy to add tabs to for a mid -mount. Also you can hack/grind/cut/bend for exhaust clearance, pry and jack on it too:D Hey Mudtruck, you were'nt using a diaphram clutch were you? I switched to a Borg&beck (3 finger):flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: I also welded a pipe coupler on the bottom cover, and hook the garden hose up after a weekend in the muck to wash it all loose. Just start it up, and let it idle for about 15 mins, then the shit runs out...

Nothing wrong with running the aluminum bellhousing, and if you look around enough you can find one from a mid to late eighties SM465 or T5 (watch out for the Firebird slanted T5's) that has all the hydraulic clutch slave mounting on it.

Funny, the cast bellhouings on two of my SM420's are broken, yet I've only seen one truck actually break an aluminum SM465 bell, and that truck had chain for motor mounts and a solid trans/t-case mount.

The alum bellhousing is 360 degree with no inspection cover to deal with. The cast has the cover, but is possibly more vulnerable underneath.

My alum bellhousing was cracked when I got it, in the starter area. A buddy welded it up. 6 years with no problems at all.

Originally posted by weps
Hey Mudtruck, you were'nt using a diaphram clutch were you? I switched to a Borg&beck (3 finger):flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: I also welded a pipe coupler on the bottom cover, and hook the garden hose up after a weekend in the muck to wash it all loose. Just start it up, and let it idle for about 15 mins, then the shit runs out...

I heard about the trick of using a 3 finger after TTC. Really doesn't do me much good now.

Also, :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: - This is 6 fingers.

I had an aluminum one behind my 4.3 and it was cracked. Had it welded up and it cracked again so I pulled it and put in a Lakewood. scatter with the hydro mount. $$$ but its there forever now! :flipoff2:

Are you guys talking about the half bell housing like this?

http://ebay3.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_3c344c4c9dfef3271982b528a3ab8de6/i-1.JPG

I have one similar to it. What exactally can you do about filling the space? Nobody sells a bottom cover? How big of a problem will it be running it bare?

Originally posted by Erik D_lux
Are you guys talking about the half bell housing like this?

http://ebay3.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_3c344c4c9dfef3271982b528a3ab8de6/i-1.JPG

I have one similar to it. What exactally can you do about filling the space? Nobody sells a bottom cover? How big of a problem will it be running it bare?
I've been running for 6 months without the tin - no biggie - what would the tin protect anyway - water, etc can still get in their - it drains out easier without the tin :)

BTW John - I have two cracked aluminum bells - I'll keep my steel one - its fine for a crawler - not going to run the RPM up to where I have to worry about scatter shields. Andy

Originally posted by KrustyKruiser

I've been running for 6 months without the tin - no biggie - what would the tin protect anyway - water, etc can still get in their - it drains out easier without the tin :)

BTW John - I have two cracked aluminum bells - I'll keep my steel one - its fine for a crawler - not going to run the RPM up to where I have to worry about scatter shields. Andy

True. One thing I was thinking of was that an open bell housing wouldnt protect the flywheel if you were to somehow get a rock up there. I guess I will just run it and see what happens. I just hate to have to tear the tranny and case out to fix a clutch.

I run the steel bellhousing with my sm420 and I really like that you can inspect underneath.

Ive got into deep mud and stayed in it for a while with no problems, other than having the clutch packed with it, never lost grip (centerforce dual friction).

A problem of running it w/o cover is that the starter collects dust and starts to give twiiing noises :)

I run a cast iron BH with dual cases, no problem.

my buddy was running an alluminum BH last year and cracked it from under the shift fork, all the way around to one of the upper mounting bolts. (hard landing)

just my $.02 :beer:

I scored a cover from a junk yard off of a 420 BH. It fit perfect. They are a little tuf to come by though. Next time I se one I will grab it and throw it on the board.