3 on the tree to sm465 conversion questions

[Jamesz]

You want to measure your bellhousing. Newer style is 6.29" trans flange to engine flange. For many years engines had a single engine mount in the front and used a mount on each side of the trans bell. This is how the many 6 cylinder engines were mounted. Your bell has those mounts.

As more V8s were installed the mounts were switched to 1 mount on the back of the trans and 2 mounts on each side of the engine. You can use that bell as long as the front to back measurement is correct, also the diameter of the rear hole needs match the trans. I think you need 5 1/8" hole.

Squares came with this style bellhousing:

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This will fit a 12" clutch.

Okay so I bought a clutch fork for a 77 thinking that it would fit but I guess these older style bell housings are not as wide. I bought the transmission, bellhousing, clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel off of a gentleman and he told me that they should fit. But now I'm faced with the problem of finding a clutch fork that will fit. I cannot get any clutch forks for the earlier style at any auto part stores in south west Missouri without a drive to Kansas City. Do y'all think it would be more beneficial to just get a different bell housing and use the clutch fork from the newer style or try and find an older style clutch fork?

 

[Turbo4whl]

@Jamesz What year are the trans, bell and clutch parts from? Did you check the measurements I stated? If that early style is shorter front to back, you need the correct fork to match.

 

[Jamesz]

@Jamesz What year are the trans, bell and clutch parts from? Did you check the measurements I stated? If that early style is shorter front to back, you need the correct fork to match.

I am not too sure what year. I bought the sm465 off him because I was pretty sure they were all the same until the late 80's I think. He said he pulled the bell housing and shifter handle off another truck which I believe was a later 60's model. But the clutch was brand new its just been sitting for a couple years.

I measured roughly what you said and it came in at around 6 ¼ inches.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I am not too sure what year. I bought the sm465 off him because I was pretty sure they were all the same until the late 80's I think. He said he pulled the bell housing and shifter handle off another truck which I believe was a later 60's model. But the clutch was brand new its just been sitting for a couple years.

I measured roughly what you said and it came in at around 6 ¼ inches.

the clutch fork should be checked for being dimensionally close to where the later bellhousing would be, and that its in the same plane, so the z bar springs arent pulling sideways(id imagine this wears out the z bar quicker)

If it were placed different, modifying the zbar or the clutch fork wouldnt be too hard to get it in line

 

[Jamesz]

the clutch fork should be checked for being dimensionally close to where the later bellhousing would be, and that its in the same plane, so the z bar springs arent pulling sideways(id imagine this wears out the z bar quicker)

If it were placed different, modifying the zbar or the clutch fork wouldnt be too hard to get it in line

I thought about trying to modify it but getting the old clutch fork would probably cause more problems on my end and I do not want to take any chances (these past few weeks with this thing have been a horrendous chore of wrong parts and trying to make things work). I ended up ordering a bell housing from eBay that should be the correct style. it should be here today so I will let y'all know!

 

[Jamesz]

*update*
I got the new bell housing and it does fit pretty well the clutch fork that came with it works as it should. I attempted to put the transmission in over the weekend but it wouldn't go in due to misalignment of the clutch. I used the doorman clutch alignment tool but it didn't work too well. Now I am taking out the pilot bearing that was in there for probably 30 years and putting a new one in (its very stuck). I'll get some pictures here in a little while.

 

[Jamesz]

*update*
I got the new bell housing and it does fit pretty well the clutch fork that came with it works as it should. I attempted to put the transmission in over the weekend but it wouldn't go in due to misalignment of the clutch. I used the doorman clutch alignment tool but it didn't work too well. Now I am taking out the pilot bearing that was in there for probably 30 years and putting a new one in (its very stuck). I'll get some pictures here in a little while.

 

[Jamesz]

On the clutch release bearing which orientation should this lobe be pointed?

 

[bucket]

On the clutch release bearing which orientation should this lobe be pointed?

I've always put the lobe into the fork opening.

 

[Jamesz]

WE ARE SOO BACK EVERYONE.
Got the tranny in last night and the crossmember in today. I lost one of the trans mount bolts so im gonna pick one up from the hardware store tomorrow. But this whole install has been a pain. Thanks to everyone who helped and i will update as i get it going!
(Yes I know Ray Charles helped me cut the hole for my transmission but the truck kept catching fire as I was cutting lol)

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[AuroraGirl]

WE ARE SOO BACK EVERYONE.
Got the tranny in last night and the crossmember in today. I lost one of the trans mount bolts so im gonna pick one up from the hardware store tomorrow. But this whole install has been a pain. Thanks to everyone who helped and i will update as i get it going!
(Yes I know Ray Charles helped me cut the hole for my transmission but the truck kept catching fire as I was cutting lol)

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Do you have the spacers on the crossmember, and do you have the skid plate for the trans?

Also what are you gonna cover the opening with

 

[Jamesz]

Do you have the spacers on the crossmember, and do you have the skid plate for the trans?

Also what are you gonna cover the opening with

I got a high hump cover Im installing right now. And I don't know anything about spacers? I don't think I need the skid plate because i shouldn't be hitting the trans with the road. This truck isn't going to be much for offroading.

 

[Jamesz]

Do you have the spacers on the crossmember, and do you have the skid plate for the trans?

Also what are you gonna cover the opening with

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Here's a picture of it when I was cutting the floor.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I got a high hump cover Im installing right now. And I don't know anything about spacers? I don't think I need the skid plate because i shouldn't be hitting the trans with the road. This truck isn't going to be much for offroading.

SPacers for the bolts, @bucket can tell you about them. are you using new hardware?

 

[Jamesz]

SPacers for the bolts, @bucket can tell you about them. are you using new hardware?

I am using new hardware. The old stuff that came off the crossmember was nasty and missing a bunch of pieces. I got all new bolts, nuts, and washers for the crossmember. I didn't get any bolts with the transmission so I got some grade 8 bolts like Bucket said earlier and they seemed to fit.