Projects SBC Bellhousing for a 1951 Shoebox

I would like to use a Muncie 4 speed in my shoebox with a 327 and would like to know if the aluminum bellhousing GM #3858403 that was used in camaros with a 10.5 inch clutch would work. thanks.
Juan

 

Yes, it will work. You will need the 153 tooth flywheel that will take a 10 1/2” clutch and also a starter with the holes inline.

 

What transmission are you using?
If you stay 3 speed and don't mind a Chevy trans a full syncro Saginaw 3 speed would be stronger and make fitting things up a whole lot easier and I think you can get the column shift to work with a bit of fabricating.

if you are going to use the Ford trans you will have to at least redrill the bellhousing to match the trans and possibly figure out how to get the bearing retainer diameter matched up. Putting a 283/327 in a shoebox was pretty common back 60 years ago.
Fordors nailed it on flywheel, clutch and starter.
This Amazon link gives a number of oem parts numbers that you might need.
Amazon.com: NEW SWS CHEVY 403 ALUMINUM BELLHOUSING, FLYWHEEL INSPECTION COVER, THROWOUT BEARING, CLUTCH FORK, CLUTCH FORK BOOT & PIVOT BALL, STAMPED WITH #GM 3858403, FOR SBC & BBC 10.5" MANUAL CLUTCH : Automotive

 

Hello Fordors
Thanks for letting me know. I do have the flywheel and just bought the aluminum bellhousing. will keep in mind the need for the starter with the holes inline. thanks for your reply.
Juan

 

Hello Mr48chevy
I have a pair of muncie m-21 that I bought in the late seventies when I had a camaro I used to drag race. My 51 came with an automatic transmission and I want to install the 4 speed with a floor shifter. I need to find out if a hurst super shifter with reverse lockout will fit without having to go to bucket seats. Thanks for the advice and the link.
Juan

 

That takes care of of a couple of issues. No column shift to worry about an no figuring out how to hook a Ford trans to a Chevy bellhousing good enough.
All you have to do now is figure out how to hook clutch linkage up.

 

I use truck or '55-ish Chevy bell housings only. They use the 168T flywheel, 11" clutch and truck type starter. Of course the forged truck fork. All rubber boots and the fork clip are available at truck parts sites.

 

Hello Bob
I already bought the camaro bellhousing. I have 10.5 flywheel that I`m going to use from a 1970 Camaro 350/250hp on the 327 engine. I will look at the truck parts sites and see what they have. Is the forged truck fork the same dimensions as the car clutch fork?thanks for the advice.

Juan

 

You might go over to the Ford Barn and ask about clutch linkage parts without mentioning the sbc. Some of us old farts are moving to automatics as our knees give out. But don’t mention something except a Ford in a Ford over there. I don’t know how they’ll work with the sbc, but it’d be a start.

 

Hello Miker
I`m an old fart too but I would like to drive a manual shoebox like a friend I had. His black 51 in the 60`s impressed me as a kid. He was a real good auto body man. He installed a hot 327 with three two barrel carbs, had spots,foxcraft fender skirts and a visor. It had a very beautiful red interior. He did his own motor mounts using a shoebox ch***is he bought and when everything was worked out he mounted the engine on the car. I built a 1/25 1949 model quite a few years back that looked a little like his car. I fell in love with the car and last year I bought the 51 I have with the idea of having something similar. I will keep mine white as i like the color. Thanks for the advise.Here is a pic of the plastic model.
Juan