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5. Ford Engines

Ford V8: Ford V8s use three different block bolt patterns. Most of the adapters and motor mounts we offer are for the Ford small block. Ford used two flywheels, 157 tooth & 164 tooth. These starters index and bolt on to the bellhousing. It is imperative that you match the flywheel, starter and bellhousing. If you mismatch any of these items, it will only cause you grief! The 351 Windsor is considered a small block but has a few differences. One difference is that the heads of the block are wider. This may cause exhaust clearance problems on some conversions. Another difference is the oil pan bolt pattern.

Ford Bellhousings: When selecting a Ford bellhousing for your engine conversion, you must make sure the bellhousing you select is compatible with your engine flywheel. On Ford bellhousings, the starter motor has a predetermined location that can only be used with either the 157 tooth or 164 tooth flywheel. On some V8 engines such as the Windsor, a 157 tooth flywheel is not available. Problems can be avoided by selecting the proper bellhousing. Once you have established the correct bellhousing diameter for your flywheel, you must then verify the transmission register diameter. Ford offers three different diameters. The small diameter of 4.848" is common to all car and some truck applications, while the 5.125" diameter is limited to early trucks. The 4.910" is used with the T4 and T5 transmissions. If a bellhousing adapter is going to be used, we supply a bearing retainer on the front of the adapter plate that must index into the 4.848" diameter. DO NOT ATTEMPT to use the Ford bellhousing that has the larger 5.125" or 4.910" diameter.

The bolt pattern for the transmission will always be the same on Ford bellhousings 1966 and newer. The early bellhousings (up to 1965) have a different transmission bolt pattern and are held to the engine block with only 5 bolts. All of the adapters manufactured are only compatible with the late model bellhousings. In most cases, the bellhousings will already have a clutch release lever, ball pivot or mounting bracket.

The bellhousings are aligned by two special dowel pins that are normally on the engine block. Without these dowel pins, severe misalignment of the bellhousing and transmission will occur. Since the starter motor locates into the bellhousing, you must make sure that the starter, flywheel, and bellhousing are all compatible.