Bell housing for 383 stroker?

[LJ69]

I hope I'm in the right thread group. When I bought my truck it didn't have a bell housing on it. It has a 383 stroker mated to a 700r4 tranny. On visual inspection, it does look like it has the externally ballenced 400 sbc flywheel. I want to put a bell housing on but am unsure what to get. Will a bell housing for a 350 sbc fit around the 400 flywheel or should I be looking for a bell housing for a 400 sbc, or are the 2 pretty much the same? I know I need one that mates to the tranny specificly and the research I did seems to say that the bolt pattern for the 350 sbc and 400 sbc bell housings are identical. I'm guessing that finding a bell housing to mate a 350 to 700r4 is easier to find, but will the larger 400 flywheel rub on the bell housing and will the starter fit? Has anyone here done this? What did you use? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ricko1966]

So you are converting from automatic to manual?

 

[LJ69]

So you are converting from automatic to manual?

No. Looks like someone changed it from manual to a 700r4 before i got the truck and didn't install a bell housing. I want to install one. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think 400 sbc were ever mated to a 700r4 from factory, and since the stroker engine has a flywheel from a 400 sbc, i was wondering if a bell housing from a 350 would work or are the housing walls going to hit/rub on the bigger flywheel.

 

[xm20k]

First auto transmissions are one piece unless you have a race trans cut to take an aftermarket SFI bell or fancy 2 piece SFI aftermarket case, second there are 2 sizes of flexplate/flywheel both fit in the same factory transmissions. third there are two GM bellhousing bolt patterns chevy and BOP (buick, olds, pontiac).

 

[Grit dog]

I’m confused. You’re using an automatic. Therefore it has a flex plate not a flywheel.
And all auto trans, specifically the GM 3 and 4 speeds th350, th400, 200r4, 700r4, 4L’s and about any other autos, any year any make all have integral bell housings. You couldn’t have a transmission connected to the engine block if it didn’t already have a bell housing.
Are you thinking of some other part and mis identifying the name of that part? Like the dust shield?

 

[Old Guy Bill]

WHERE ARE THE PICTURES???

 

[xm20k]

This is an aftermarket SFI Reid case for a powerglide with an interchangeable bell housing, these are expensive 1000-1200 for the main body plus another 300-400 for the bell and around 250-300 for the tail housing, unless your drag racing or making big HP/torque numbers most people would not build a trans in these they use the stock case which is a single cast piece. The turbo 350 and turbo 400 versions of these are like 2k for the main body more complex and more machining in making them.

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This is a powerglide stock case notice the bell and main body are one piece only the tail housing unbolts.

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[LJ69]

Sorry guys I was getting part names messed up. Here are some pics. Looks like i am looking for the bottom half of what is possibly a 2 piece bell housing? It just seems weird to me that the torque converter and flex plate are exposed.

 

[Bloodhound1981]

You're looking for the dust cover.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/GM-TH350-TH400-Flywheel-Flexplate-Dust-Cover-w-Stainless-Bolts,481727.html?utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&srsltid=AfmBOorG8k68-MTJyLmrzG-qSegbS4Opzz_MoEJlSws5kkR_0Z4srfDZWa8

 

[Ricko1966]

The dust covers are different 2wd vs. 4wd if you plan on reinstalling the factory transmission braces that only 4wd had. What year and model truck are you working on?

 

[LJ69]

VIN says its a 1986 K20. It has K10 axles but I have no reason to believe it was anything much more than an axle swap. I'm not an expert but the springs look to be K20 springs with a leaf added front and back for a small lift. And yes it still is a 4x4.

 

[nvrenuf]

@LJ69 you need a converter dust cover like this one on evilbay (see link below). The style you need is made of thicker aluminum just like the trans case itself, most use the metric equivalent of (6) 3/8" bolts (the case is threaded).

The bars and brackets in the pic would have come from the factory and run between the threaded bosses on the cover to the brackets under the motor mounts.

HD Converter Cover

 

[Old Guy Bill]

or just the proper cheap sheet metal dust cover from LMC...

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[Ricko1966]

or just the proper cheap sheet metal dust cover from LMC...

You must be registered for see images attach

That's not the proper cover for a 4wd. It would work,but wheeling he has a chance of breaking the bellhousing. But fine for a pavement princess,or temporary use.

 

[LJ69]

@nvrenuf can you send that link again? It didn't seem to show up. I would love to see that picture with all the brackets I need.