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I have a 700R4 i was planning on using behing my 1955 265 chevy motor but after bolting it up i just realized the starter is different . on the 265 it bolted to the bellhousing so now i am not sure how to make it work with the 700R4 overdrive transmission.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The '55 265 does not have provisions for block-mounted starter or oil filter, so you have to use the '55 bellhousing extension that has the starter provision, or you have to use a later-model block with block mounted starter provision. If you really want to use the '55 block with the 700R4 tranny, you're going to have to cut a portion of the bellhousing off the 700R4 and weld the '55 bellhousing extension onto the tranny.
that sounds like something i woill probably not want to do. i'm not sure the old bell extension is even aluminum , i will have to go look . if not i wont even be able to weld it together
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Hmmm... I think you might be right... that short bellhousing piece between the engine and tranny on the '55 might be cast iron... that would make it a bit more difficult...
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Originally Posted by lars
Hmmm... I think you might be right... that short bellhousing piece between the engine and tranny on the '55 might be cast iron... that would make it a bit more difficult...
Every one I've seen has been cast iron, with the rear mounts there. That complicates things when using a later transmission. The '55 also had the front engine mounts. I don't have personal experience with autos in a '55 (mine was a four speed), but the concern was bellhousing breakage when suspending the engine and trans between the original front mount and an aftermarket rear (tailhousing) mount.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
That's correct.
I just did a rebuild/restoration of a '55 265 Bel Air engine, and it used a Powerglide that interfaced with the cast iron bellhousing adapter. If you were really wanting to do the 700R4, maybe the thing to do is to find a '55 Powerglide and cut the bellhousing for transfer over to the 700. I didn't see the tranny out of the '55 I worked on, so I don't know if it was a cast iron PG or aluminum - if it's iron, never mind...