Here's the issue...... When the engine was swapped in early 57 a portion of the Cadillac bell housing was brazed to the Ford bell housing allowing the use of the 1956 3 speed Ford tranny. The good ol boys did a pretty fare job and it's worked that way for almost all of the 46K miles on the truck. I found the truck last spring and shortly after the starter motor started acting up. Pulled the started and sent it out for rebuild. The shop did a great job with the rebuild but told me when I picked it up that one of the issues was the shaft was bent.......no big deal.....all's well, except after reinstalling the starter it now make a loud grinding noise when you start the truck. I'm thinking the flywheel and starter gear are not meshing square....So a replacement Cadillac bell housing with an adapter to the 1956 ford 3 speed tranny is in order...... Any body got any thoughts......While Cadillac swaps in the 50 were plentiful where do I find an adapter......are they still out there ....who's making them now.....or is my thinking all wrong. Any help is appreciated Jim Cande
http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html Old adapters for the 49-54 Cad 331 are somewhat easy to find, however those for '55 and up Cad 331, 365 and 390's are pretty scarce and expensive...
I didn't know about this company.....they've been real helpful so far....will know more tomorrow. Thank for the help'