Projects '63 Country Sedan --- Straight 6 to V-8 swap

I wouldn't try it unless it's the last possible solution. The '58-64 FE manual bells that will fit your trans while not common, do turn up regularly for reasonable prices, generally $100-$150. Most buyers want the '65-up version as there's more trans choices in that pattern.

 

Not seeing any on the Ebay right now. I'll keep checking. I wouldn't be doing the welding, I'd let someone who knows how give it a go. I am waiting on pics of the crack, haven't seen it yet. He has either a 332 or 352 engine for sale but not sure which. Price is good but gas is pricey

 

Check CraigsList and other local selling forums for the early bell. Swap meets are another good place to check. You don't want to pay shipping on one of these if you can help it! The FE manual bells aren't aluminum, it's a heavy chunk of cast iron...

If you don't want to wait.... here's one... ford fe bellhousing with block plate | eBay

 

One more trick.... The '58-64 FE bells used a Bendix-style starter which are both expensive and now hard to find, as well as having reliability issues. If you change the flywheel ring gear to the '65-up version, you can then use the commonly available and cheaper later starter also. Or just use a '65-up flywheel to convert.

 

I missed that one. Damn that expensive shipping, $90 bucks! How heavy are they!

From my understand with this bell housing you could put any FE engine. Let me ask this, I hear the 360 is a dog engine, is the 352 a good engine? 390 of course is proven performer from its reputation.

 

I haven't weighed the bell, but it's gotta be 40+ lbs. They're not light.... And any FE bell will fit any FE, the only real external block difference is motor mount bolt locations, with Ford adding more bolts locations on the newer blocks. The newer blocks will retrofit into any early car (pre-'66) but not always the other way around.

As to the 360's reputation, it's not deserved IMO. If you're building a hipo motor, it's a better base than a 352. The 360 is nothing more than a 352 with the .050" larger 390 bore size (why it took so long for Ford to figure this out is beyond me...) but was only used in trucks and only available with a 2V carb. So Ford fitted it with standard 390 pistons but due to the shorter 352 stroke this lowered compression which allowed Ford to use the same motor for both domestic and export models. Install higher-compression pistons and a 4V carb and it'll wake right up....