OK, does anyone know if the stock 3-speed bellhousing for a buick 215 will accept a t-5, I have heard the V-8 t-5's from mid 90's camaros and such will bolt right up and the bolt pattern looks correct, but I'd like to know if anyone knows for sure. I checked the splines on the input shaft on a junk t-5 and it looks the same as the splines on my stock clutch, but I dont know if there are any spacing issues. Please help me out if anyone knows.
GM was pretty good about manual ******s in the old days being interchangeable...yes, it'll fit, if you have a V8 or 4.3 type T5. The 4 cyl and 60 degree V6 trans is different.
I have an interest in these motors and have done some research. There are two types of bellhousings. The first has a single bolt pattern that fits only the BW three speed that came as original equipment. There are likely other trans that will fit,but I'm not sure what they might be. The second type has a dual bolt pattern. the smaller pattern is for the little BW trans and the larger pattern accepts the GM saginaw trans,which means that most newer GM trans will bolt up to it. You may have to pay attention to the spline count on the trans to be sure you have a compatable clutch disc. It seems that the dual pattern bell is more common in the '63 models. For the total scoop on these cool little engins contact D&D Engineering in MI. They have everything you need,but be aware that extinct engines, like this one, are spendy to rebuild. Armstrong
You definitely want the '62-'63 dual pattern bell housing; the '61 three speed only bell that Armstrong mentioned doesn't have the correct bolt pattern, and also doesn't have enough meat to be redrilled for the 4/5 speed pattern. The dual pattern bell is a different casting. It's a long shot, but '62-'63 198 V6 bell housings will work as well.
As a 215 and rover v8 are the same the bolt pattern should be the same .If that is the case then there are plenty of boxes available here in the uk 5 speeds are common here.................Marq
Marq,I understand these trans. are weak and prone to fail,and very pricey to repair.Do you have any info on them?Thanks