How do I select the proper Bell Housing

[PaulFiveOh]

I have a C4 and Torque Converter.

Upon assembly, I only got about 80 miles before the front pump seal blew in the C4. Further inspection of the brand new TQC revealed that the Hub was wasted and needed repaired.

I was unable to get a clear answer from any one on why I had the damage to the TQC or why the front pump seal failed. (I understand the possible failure scenarios as they relate to the front pump seal...I think)

Here is my question- Through measurements or common knowledge, how do I figure out what is the proper bellhousing to ensure proper clearances for the TQC?

Also, what special considerations/measurements/geometry do I need to look for or be careful of when putting the TQC on to the tranny and so on.

Thanks!

Also- Special thanks to DirtyDog (Alan) for helping me out with my Torque Converter. The man is an unassuming genius when it comes to these mysterious ass torque converters lol.

[NUTTSGT]

First make sure it's for a small block 302/351w and not for the bigger 351m which has the big block bolt pattern. Just measure the distance between the top two bolt hole on the back of you block, should be around 7 inches I believe.

Now once you have figured that out, there are 2 different size bellhousings, one for a 157 tooth flexplate and the other for the 164 flexplate. At this point you need to make sure you have the correct flexplate. Generally, in the stock format, 157 is a 28 oz balance and the 164 is 50 oz. Aftermarket is a different story, as you can get 157T with a 50 oz balance.

A 164T flexplate will not fit in the smaller bellhousing. The 157T flexplate will fit in the bigger bellhousing but the starter will not make contact it or make "proper" contact.

One thing to watch out for is the C5 bellhousing,basically the same but a slight bit deeper. The last year for the C4 was 1982, so the last casting number should an E2, You want anything older than that. If it's a newer casting number, it's from the C5. Some people have used them and been alright but I'd recommmend you steer clear of them. The C5 had a lock up converter, which made it slightly deeper, translation the bellhousing had to accomendate this converter. If you put your C4 converter in this bellhousing, and bolt it up, it will pull the convertor out of the transmission slighty will can cause problems.

As we all know, you have to make sure that the converter is fully seated in the transmission. Sometimes they slide right in, other times they need fiddled withto go in properly.

Hope this helps.

[PaulFiveOh]

Thanks Eric, that was extremely helpful.

Just to restate to make sure I understand properly, I need to go with a pre 1982 bell housing and I can confirm that by making sure the casting number ends in E2?

I am still running external balancing (I think?...right because I have a harmonic balancer?) which leads me to believe my flexplate is a 157T, it's brand new because I went from manual to auto, so I'm pretty sure it's the right one.

Thanks!

[facemelter71]

Whats the balance of the motor?
50oz is stock balance for a mustang fox.
28oz is some aftermarket engines and some truck engines.
0oz are most aftermarket/racing stroker motors.

[89notch]

His motor is 50oz balance....
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/c4.html

[Walter]

http://www.tciauto.com/Products/TechInfo/c4_bellhousings.asp

[5.0calypso93lx]

Thanks Eric, that was extremely helpful.

Just to restate to make sure I understand properly, I need to go with a pre 1982 bell housing and I can confirm that by making sure the casting number ends in E2?

I am still running external balancing (I think?...right because I have a harmonic balancer?) which leads me to believe my flexplate is a 157T, it's brand new because I went from manual to auto, so I'm pretty sure it's the right one.

Thanks!

C=1960's, D=1970's, E=1980's, etc.

2 is the specific year.

[PaulFiveOh]

Thanks for that link Kelly and Walter, both are exactly what I needed.

And roger roger James, I get it now, should make it easier to locate.

I was hoping that this thread would produce the results of: "Go ask for [THIS] part number bell housing" but it looks like I need to identify my flexplate measurements as well as what year range tranny I am dealing with.

James, if it's worth lunch (or more?) to you, I'd love for you to come down to the shop off branch hill guinie in milford and have a look at my tranny and see if you can tell me with certainty which bell housing I need.

Thanks again everyone for the expert replies.

[PaulFiveOh]

Ok so, per Walters link, I measured between from middle to middle of the holes and got exactly 10.5inches which indicates I need a 5 7/8" deep bell housing.

So my next question is this- How do I know what depth the different part number bell housings are?

I've included a few photos in case someone sees something that can help me further.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs259.snc1/10622_158870362262_531152262_2909296_5508049_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs279.snc1/10622_158870332262_531152262_2909292_7177552_n.jpg

The photo below is of what I think the casting number is. The shifter is in the left foreground.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs259.snc1/10622_158870317262_531152262_2909289_1095292_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs279.snc1/10622_158870322262_531152262_2909290_137155_n.jpg

[Walter]

Get this bell and be done with it.

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/parts.php?type=search&query=jwp92462157

Its for a 157t, case fill.

[Dirtyd0g]

I have the bellhousing you need in stock form, why didn't you ask?
If you want SFI you have to buy the bellhousing and use the adapter ring to space it up.
Alan

[Rick93coupe]

Are you sure your having a bellhousing issue and not a converter placement issue?

Edit:

When the converter is bottomed out into the transmission and the bell is bolted up to the block. You should have between 1/8" and 3/16" of space between the converter and the flexplate. That way when you bolt the converter to the flexplate, you've pulled it out of the pump 1/8" - 3/16". You will break stuff if it's not. If nothing else, did you check that?

[NUTTSGT]

If you are using a 50 oz engine and a 157T flexplate, you are going to need a flexplate for 50 oz, not 28 oz. You will have to buy an aftermarket flexplate from somewhere like Summit, you will not be able to find a stock replacement at a regular parts store.


If you use the wrong balance flexplate, you'll probably knock the main bearing out of your motor.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Thanks for that link Kelly and Walter, both are exactly what I needed.

And roger roger James, I get it now, should make it easier to locate.

I was hoping that this thread would produce the results of: "Go ask for [THIS] part number bell housing" but it looks like I need to identify my flexplate measurements as well as what year range tranny I am dealing with.

James, if it's worth lunch (or more?) to you, I'd love for you to come down to the shop off branch hill guinie in milford and have a look at my tranny and see if you can tell me with certainty which bell housing I need.

Thanks again everyone for the expert replies.

Other than casting numbers, I'm not going to pretend to know anything else about auto's :lol: I put a new one in my 98', but it was just a stock replacement so I didn't have any of the issues you are having. Dirty dog hooked it up and got me all set up.

Where at on Branch Hill? I'm actually over that way somewhat often nowadays.

[Dirtyd0g]

If the flexplate is an issue let me know, I have a good collection of flexplates (including the conversion ones) here. to use the bellhousing I have you will need the 157 tooth starter and blockplate.
Alan