Bellhousing ID help from Ford gurus

[ironhead68]

This neophyte would appreciate any help from you experts about the application of this bellhousing. Thank you sirs.

 

[51504bat]

Looks to be a 1/2 bell used on either an 8ba V8 or a straight six flathead. Assuming it's for V8, if it's stamped steel is for a Mercury and if it's cast iron it's from a truck. The correct starter plate is vital for using one as they are different from other 8ba bell housings. These housings are used when installing an 8ba with an earlier trans either a top loader or side shifter trans. Can't help with how to determine if it's from a 6 or V8 other than test fit it to a block.


This link from Wilcap has some tips for bell housing ID. Scroll down past the adapter info to get to the bell housing ID info.
https://wilcap.com/flathead.html

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Looks to be a 1/2 bell used on either an 8ba V8 or a straight six flathead. Assuming it's for V8, if it's stamped steel is for a Mercury and if it's cast iron it's from a truck. The correct starter plate is vital for using one as they are different from other 8ba bell housings. These housings are used when installing an 8ba with an earlier trans either a top loader or side shifter trans. Can't help with how to determine if it's from a 6 or V8 other than test fit it to a block.

That MAY be for a six, but I don't believe there's any way that is a Mercury piece for an 8BA. That's a weird one!

Coop

.

 

[Bob C]

I've got one that looks like that from a 1948 6cyl pickup.

 

[cas3]

The 6 cyl's are about 3/4" taller, Thicker? than a v8 if you have one to compare

 

[nickthebandit]

I think that it is from s 6 cylinder. I have never seen a V-8 bell housing with an integral starter pocket. All of the V-8 bell housings that I have seen the starter pocket was added on, after the bell housing was made.

 

[38 coupe]

There is one pictured in the big picture list of 8BA type bell housings and starter plates
https://web.archive.org/web/20160318184514/http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf

 

[ironhead68]

I've got one that looks like that from a 1948 6cyl pickup.

Bob C, does your bell take a full circle starter plate?

 

[Bob C]

Yes it does.

 

[38 coupe]

My memory is the spacing between the two top holes determines flathead 6 vs flathead V8 bell housing. The holes in question are on top when looking at the bell housing from the transmission side with the starter area at about 4 o'clock. The problem is I don't remember the difference between the two.
Van Pelt has a very similar bell housing identified as 49-early 51 Mercury http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Trans-adptrs.jpg

 

[ironhead68]

38 coupe, I can't tell dimensionally, but all the bolt holes and locating dowels on this bell look to line up identically to what is shown as 49-early51 Merc. The perimeter pattern is also identical.

Wow, this ford stuff is complicated. All my GM stuff has casting/part numbers. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom.

 

[ironhead68]

Sure looks like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3940412645...oolid=10050&customid=&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0

 

[Bob C]

Here are a couple of pictures of my 6 cylinder housing.

 

[Bob C]

The holes are different on the Merc housing.

 

[marko39]

It appears to have the angled starter housing similar to 49-51 cars.

 

[ironhead68]

Bob C, thanks for the pics. Definitely not a match to the 6 cyl.
So, best guess seems to be 49-51 Merc.
Thanks all!