Lars65inc

I finally got the crate motor installed in the 'vette. I used the old bellhousing and mounted it to the M20 I picked up. The crate motor is a 1pc rear main and uses a 153 tooth flywheel. I've tried several starters including the one that is supposed to come with the crate motor from GM. They won't fit. It seems they sit "low" and interfere with the bellhousing I'm using.

Do I need to change the bellhousing? Or is there a starter that will fit a 153 tooth flywheel and the early bellhousing?

Thanks for you help.

Eric

narlee

You need the 168 tooth flywheel.
Sorry should have had more coffee, I saw EARLY bell housing and thought C1.

JohnZ

What bellhousing are you using?

Lars65inc

I'm not sure which bellhousing it is. It's the one that was attached to the Pre '86 305 and the Saginaw slush box I pulled out.

Changing the flywheel isn't really an option at this point. I'm not against changing the bellhousing. But I'd much rather find a starter that will work.

Is there a starter that works with a 153T flywheel and an early bellhousing?

Thanks again,
Eric

DZAUTO

Like John Z said, WHICH bell housing do you have? YES, it makes a difference. On the PASSENGER side of each housing, there SHOULD be a casting number. What is it?

Also, take a CLOSE look at the two bell housings below.
PARTICULARLY NOTICE the starter bulge on each one.
The PASSENGER side of the left housing has the starter bulge even with the side of the housing. This housing is used with a 153 teeth flywheel.
The housing on the right side has the starter bulge protruding from the side of the housing about 1inch. This housing is used with the 168 teeth flywheel.
Also, notice the bulge on the left housing is SLIGHTLY lower than the bulge on the right housing.
THEY AIN'T COMPATABLE!



Tom Parsons

midyearvette

you may need to change the flywheel too
some one piece seal crate engines require a specific wheel externally balanced for that model
all the bolt patterns are the same, so just because it bolts up doesn't make it right and now is the time to do some homework.....good luck...

JohnZ

You're not helping us to help you. What bellhousing are you using? With a 153-tooth flywheel, you need a 403 or 383 bellhousing in order to use a "normal" starter. There's no such thing as a Saginaw slushbox.

Lars65inc

I apologize for my lack of help. Here's a pic of where the starter bulge is as it sits today.

I looked for the casting numbers on both side as best I could. But it's in the car so visibility is limited. If you have a trick to seeing the numbers while its in the car. I'd be happy to try it.



Thanks again,
Eric

Plasticman

You are using a bell housing that normally uses a starter that bolts to the bell housing (using 3 bolts). That requires a 168 tooth flywheel (or the use of a cast iron nose stagger bolt block mounted starter that uses 2 vertical bolts).

Your options are to either replace the flywheel or the bell housing. If changing the bell housing, then a block mounted starter with the straight across bolt pattern (for the 153 tooth flywheel) is required.

If you decide to use a block mounted starter, make sure you use the correct knurled mounting bolts, and I also recommend a front mount support bracket.

If you decide to change the flywheel, you must get one with the correct balance and bolt pattern for your clutch pressure plate.

Plasticman

DZAUTO

That is EXACTLY correct!!!
Basically, what was explained above is/are your ONLY options.
There is a 168 teeth flywheel available for a 86-later one piece rear main seal type block.
It's your car, so you have to make the call. BUUUUUUUUUUT, if were my car, I'd switch to a 168 teeth flywheel so that an 11in clutch could be used.

By the way, that bell housing you have is the 55-62 style with an open bottom (my FAVORITE) which was last used on 62 Vettes (although, the 60-62 open bottom housings were alum). In 63, Vettes went to the full enclosure style housings like those in my earlier picture.

Tom Parsons

Lars65inc

Sound like I'm getting a 383 bellhousing.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Now I have an early bellhousing and a Sagniaw slushbox for sale. Any takers?

JohnZ

The 383 (or 403 - same thing, easier to find) will fix you right up.

What's a "Saginaw slushbox"?

midyearvette

i think that's transmission lingo???.......

Lars65inc

Yeah, transmission lingo for weaker trannies that don't shift firm. "Feels slushy" when shifting

QIK59

In car guy "lingo" a slush box is an automatic !

wmf62

yeh, but it isn't an automatic if he's talking about the bellhousing that went with it.
Bill

QIK59

I realize it's not an automatic - I think he's got his vernacular mixed

wmf62

yeh... i wouldn't call the Saginaw a 'slushbox' in any vernacular; it served it's purpose.

Bill