FE Ford bell housing question

[Sid]

I am dealing with the early FE bell 153 tooth flywheel. Does anyone recall if the tin plate between the engine and bell housing is required on this early set-up? I don't recall using on early set-ups in the past. I was thinking it was used on the later and acted as a spacer for the later starters. My 61 FE had the spacer but I would like to eliminate if I can.....Thanks

 

[40cpe]

I have the parts from the flywheel to the T-85 OD I took off a 390 from a 1963 highway patrol car. There is no plate with the parts. That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be, but this one didn't have it.

 

[fordor41]

I assume that plate is what the lower cover bolts onto to cover the lower part of the flywheel

 

[Sid]

That cover bolts to the bell housing. The plate I'm referring to bolts on with the bell housing (same bolts) I'm thinking the tin plate is used on the later FE with the short nosed starter. I just don't remember the early FE with that plate...

 

[40cpe]

I don't know if it helps, but Summit only lists one part and the application only goes back to 1966.