Different SBF 6 bolt C4 bellhousings?

I just switched transmissions on my 289, and the starter won't match up. It looks like the new transmission has the starter mount in a slightly different place in order to use a larger flexplate. I found this out right after I sold my transmission jack . I REALLY don't want to pull the transmission and engine apart again and swap bell housings. I no longer have the tools, or the time.

Is there an easy way out of this that I am not seeing?

Something about how the torque converter mounted didn't seem right either. It had to slide forward on the input shaft for the 4 studs to go into the flex plate. The splines on the input shaft are not so long that it should be able to slide very far and still engage.

I'm trying to cool myself out at think...

 

there are two sizes - 157 and 164 Tooth. There is no easy way around this - the Flexplate and bell must match - Period

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of SBF interchange issues. Once you know what you're doing, it's easy. Learning is the hard part!

Sounds like you have a 164-tooth bellhousing (now) but used to have 157.

Also sounds like you might have a flexplate-to-converter issue. Check the converter bolt pattern (10.5" versus 11.4" bolt pattern).

This all may be addressed with a flexplate change to a 164-tooth, MAYBE from the donor vehicle. I say "maybe" because you need to be sure the flexplate has the correct imbalance for your engine and has the correct torque converter pattern.

28oz = '62+ non HO 221-260-289-302-351
50oz '82+ 5.0 HO

Also be sure the converter snout is able to fit in the back of the crank.

No matter what, that transmission is going to have to come back out. Sorry....

 

Early small bell C4= 157 tooth, later C4 large bell=164 tooth.You can rent a transmission jack because you are going to need one.And the converter has to match the flexplate also or it will not seat,there are two bolt circles of converters examples:http://www.kmjent.com/cart/torque-converters/?xsearch_e11=FORD C-4

 

It's not an early vs late thing. Medium and full size cars got the big bell, compact cars got the small bell. Both were used up through the mid 80's on the C5 (C4 with lockup converter).