Jim.  Any FE bellhousing from 1958-1964 Ford car or Mercury will work for what you want to do.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted,

I am using a 2 bolt FE starter on my 312.  It must match the flywheel as it has been working for over 2 years.  Which ring gear does the 312 have?
The 312 bell housing uses the narrow bolt pattern, as I have used it with an early top loader from a 390 FE " 62' Galaxy".
This trans has a short input shaft ( 6" ) in length.  I want to use this trans on the 361 FE.
What bell housing would you recommend?

Jim


  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE

Jim.  Here’s some additional and general information regarding the interchanges between the FE bellhousings and flywheels.

The 1958-1964 bellhousings had the narrow bolt pattern for the transmission and those bellhousings have a deep cavity or pocket for the ‘pull forward’ starter bendix.  The ’58-‘64 flywheels also have 153 teeth and have a different pitch design versus the ’65 and later flywheels.  The 153 tooth flywheels do require the older ‘pull forward’ bendix starters for the starter bendix to correctly mesh to the ring gear.  As an alternative, the late model (’65 & up) starter and 184T flywheel will work with the ’58-‘64 bellhousing assuming you need the narrow transmission bolt pattern.

The 1965 and later bellhousings have the shallow starter bendix cavity and will not work without extensive modification with the ’64 and earlier ‘pull-forward’ starter.  The ’65 and later bellhousings also incorporate the wider transmission bolt pattern.  The 184 tooth flywheel is the norm for the late model bellhousings along with a ‘push back’ short bendix on the starter.

I’ll add that the register on the flywheel that holds the starter ring gear in place is different on the two flywheels.  The 153 tooth has the register on the front edge of the flywheel while the 184T flywheel has the register on the rear edge.  While the starter ring gears are interchangeable on the various flywheels, it’s recommended to use the flywheel with the appropriate register for the starter that’s being used.  Running the incorrect register runs the risk of the starter ring gear being driven off of the flywheel after a given number of starts.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I would say it is an early unit.  The FE came from a 1959 Edsel.  Where are you located?

Jim


  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE

Do you need the early of late set?

How much do you want for both?  Any idea of the freight cost?

Thanks
Jim


  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE

I have both, but I'm in Connecticut.

I also would be interested in a FE Flywheel as well.

Thanks
Jim
402-681-1770


  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE