Vortec 4.3L to Sm465 Bel help!!!

[CrashKnott]

all but 2 inches from assembled, I realized my '96 Vortec 4.3L will not mate to the standard Chevy Bellhousing on the Sm465.

The tranny-to motor bolts on the '96 Vortec (auto equipped stock S-10 Blazer) went from behind the tranny and threaded into the block (and oil pan); on the '79 SM465 equipped K20, they went the other way.

BFD right?...well what do you all do? Does the hydraulic bellhousing from later model SM465 trucks mount the same way my '96 does?

There doesn't seem like a sh!t-ton of material on that bell to be milling a flat for the bolt-head. Please help!!

[GMCTruxrule]

unless I am misinterpolating what you just said, the 465 bolts go from behind the tranny and thread through the bell into the backside of the block. In other words, the small threaded end of the bolt is pointing toward the front bumper

[CrashKnott]

I may have mis-stated it, but no...that's the way the 4.3L is threaded. The 465's bolts were intended to come from the block and thread into the tranny (aiming at the rear bumper).

[Grumpy_old_fart]

theres six bolts to bolt the bellhousing to the back of the engine that are 3/8" in size.

there are 4 more larger bolts *(1/2") that bolt the (SM465) trans to the bellhousing.

which ones are you talking about?

If you have an aluminum bellhousing, it should have threads in it to allow the trans to be bolted directly to the bellhousing from the rear.

if you have a cast iron, it could be from an earlier model that did not have this particular option.

[the_experience3006]

I don't get it. Are you saying that you need to remove the oil pan, push your hand up past the crank into the rear bores, and thread the bolts into the bellhousing that way?

1. Take bolt....put hex head toward rear bumper and threaded end towards front bumper.

2. Lift tranny up into place on the dowel pins.

3. Commence turning bolt while pushing it through the hole in the bellhousing into the block. This would be towards the front bumper.

[Grumpy_old_fart]

not tuesday yet.... damn, are we on the wrong time zone again?

[CrashKnott]

I had to check myself if it was Tuesday before I posted, but alas I'm just a hair beyond Newbie status...

You might have to tolerate me a bit as I was tired as all fawk when I ran into this, and was typing as I was falling asleep...

There are 9 threaded bolt holes that hold the bell-to-the-block (not 6) on the 4.3L. I have an aluminum bell, and I realize there are 4 larger (1/2") bolts that hold the SM465 to the bell...not the bolts in question.

The holes in the bell are also threaded, and the the holes were intended to hold the bolts from the block to the tranny (hex head closest to motor).

The sunuvabich is there is no flat recessed area to run the hex head on the back of the bell into the block

[CrashKnott]

So I guess my questions are these:

1. Is it possible I got the wrong bell? (I'm not 100% this bell came from behind a 350 cause the motor was gone from my donor truck) Seeing the interference with my floor and the slave cylinder, I wouldn't mind seeing if I could get a hydro bell instead of this Novak kit if needsbe.

2. Have you done a Vortec motor-to-Sm465 swap? Did you have any problems with this? Did you have to do anything fancy here?

3. Which direction do y'alls tranny-to-motor bolts go (front to back, or back to front)? Am I crazy for seeing 9 bolts on the back of the black?

[CrashKnott]

My problem is only amplified worse for now cause I can't quite mate the trans and motor with the aforementioned floor interference.

Gonna get the tranny outta the way tonight and see if I can just install the bell.

[guidolyons]

It's been awhile since I messed with SM465 bellhousing, but I don't recall having the bellhousing threaded where it mounts to the engine block.

Bolts were back to front. Can you stud or use a bolt into the block, drill the bellhousing to the appropriate size and grind a flat spot for the nut/bolt head?

Maybe pictures of said bellhousing would help...I'm beginning to think you might have the wrong one.

[CrashKnott]

so, I think this can officially fall under a Tuesday post now...

I was looking to thread in the lowest position bolts (easiest to get to) when I noticed this bolt direction problem. Turns out I was looking at the holes for the dust cover.

The sbc only uses 6 bolts to hold the bell to the block, but my vortec used 9. When Chevy switched to the Vortec motor deisgn, they made the oil pan an integral member, bracing itself between the block and the tranny (hence 3 more bolts).

I still have other isses with clearance of that bell under there, but I've found that I can just use the top 6 bolts and this should work.

Thanks guys (and sorry I'm a moron)

[CrashKnott]

so, I think this can officially fall under a Tuesday post now...

I was looking to thread in the lowest position bolts (easiest to get to) when I noticed this bolt direction problem. Turns out I was looking at the holes for the dust cover.

The sbc only uses 6 bolts to hold the bell to the block, but my vortec used 9. When Chevy switched to the Vortec motor deisgn, they made the oil pan an integral member, bracing itself between the block and the tranny (hence 3 more bolts).

I still have other isses with clearance of that bell under there, but I've found that I can just use the top 6 bolts and this should work.

Thanks guys (and sorry I'm a moron)

[guidolyons]

Originally Posted by CrashKnott

so, I think this can officially fall under a Tuesday post now...

I was looking to thread in the lowest position bolts (easiest to get to) when I noticed this bolt direction problem. Turns out I was looking at the holes for the dust cover.

The sbc only uses 6 bolts to hold the bell to the block, but my vortec used 9. When Chevy switched to the Vortec motor deisgn, they made the oil pan an integral member, bracing itself between the block and the tranny (hence 3 more bolts).

I still have other isses with clearance of that bell under there, but I've found that I can just use the top 6 bolts and this should work.

Thanks guys (and sorry I'm a moron)

Well, at least you're man enough to admit it... newb.

[Redder]

Originally Posted by CrashKnott

so, I think this can officially fall under a Tuesday post now...

I was looking to thread in the lowest position bolts (easiest to get to) when I noticed this bolt direction problem. Turns out I was looking at the holes for the dust cover.

The sbc only uses 6 bolts to hold the bell to the block, but my vortec used 9. When Chevy switched to the Vortec motor deisgn, they made the oil pan an integral member, bracing itself between the block and the tranny (hence 3 more bolts).

I still have other isses with clearance of that bell under there, but I've found that I can just use the top 6 bolts and this should work.

Thanks guys (and sorry I'm a moron)

that was a good laugh crash glad you got it worked out

[cj8scrambld]

See what a little sleep will do.............

[the_experience3006]

Atleast you figured out why no one could understand why you were having a problem.

[Grumpy_old_fart]

seems like he can add, but not count... probably sleep deprivation induced.

[CrashKnott]

Hah!...maybe I should change my signature to read, "I have a tendency to be an idiot. If I just asked a question and it's after 11pm, disregard the question, but get ready to laugh with following posts"




Oh some useful tech: I couldn't sneak a non-hydro bell under my S-10 Blazer floorboards, even after hammering a bit. The fork was all kinds of intimate with the sheetmetal. I've got a hydro on the way though.

Sorry for the rant; continue pirating.