What bellhousing works?

I posted a long time ago but am looking at building my 455 for my 57 chevy finally. The car is a 4 sp car which I want to retain. The engine is a 75 block that came with a long tail 400. So I need a bellhousing and clutch fork for the engine plus flywheel and clutch. So what year of these parts fits this engine? I know very little about BBB so if you think of something that I will need please let me know. Thanks for your help.

 

I used a bell housing from a firebird. 1976 I think but they will all work I believe as long as you get the BOP pattern . ( Buick, Olds, Pontiac) I used a plain old GM fork. Hope that helps?
Brad

 

make sure that it has a starter knockout on the passenger side. i don't believe all the BOP bells mount the starter on the right....

 

So a small block and big block take the same bell housing like the Chevy's?

 

Buick sb and bb are the same bell pattern, yes.

 

Are they scarce or should I try to pick up a scattershield instead? What would you expect to pay for a bellhousing?

 

About 100 bucks, check ebay.

Old Jeeps also had sbb 350's, they came with 11" clutches.

 

I would imagine firebirds up to 81 would be easiest to find. Buy the whole parts car if you can. Thats what I did ,I kept the t-10 tranny and the bellhousings and sold the rest off and actually made money on the deal and got my parts for free!! (twice now I've done that, ya gotta have spares just incase!) Up here they are getting pretty rotten so the frames and floors are out of them and you get them cheap $100-400 usually! If its a camaro people want them because they bolt up to SBC AND BBC so they go for bigger money
Hope that helps!
Brad

 

What about an adapter I have seen from Jegs. Could I use my current scattershield with that adapter? It looks like it takes the place of the engine saver plate of the Lakewood shield.

 

If you decide to try that remember you will need a longer pilot bushing in the crank to take up the difference of the spacer! I've made them before for a Dodge stock car with a chev t-10 that used a engine mount where you want to put the adapter. I don't know though clearance is tight enough without adding more headaches! Also will the starter still be in the correct place? And what about the clutch linkage? Will the extra space mess things up? Or are you going to rig up a hyd. set up? Thats what I did! Come to think of it things were awfully cramped down there without shifting everything back 1/2 to 3/4! I believe the fork will hit the floor if you try that!
Just some food for thought!
Brad

 

It looks like the adapter takes the place of the engine saver plate which is about 1/4 in. Has anyone used these adapter plates?