ClassicCar

racemaster33

I've created a problem for myself and need some help. I am putting together a 66 Lemans to look like a GTO. I had to find a complete 326 for it and did so. After having the engine built and getting everything done and ready to set in the car I discovered that it's an older model engine and has no place to mount a starter. Now what I need to do is find an older model bell housing (for 326) that has starter mouting holes. I have the automatic transmission that came in the 66 Lemans.

This is a new experience and I'm learning as I go. If anybody can offer suggestions or tell me where to find an old style 326 automatic bellhousing I would appreciate it very much.

I figured it would be best to come here and ask the pro's.

thanks

Oldcar_Mechanic

Try these guys

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/

Ron

racemaster33

Correction:

I said that I need an automatic bell housing, that is wrong. I need a 4 speed bellhousing.

Here's the breakdown

1966 Pontiac Lemans

1966 4 speed gear box

196.......something 326 engine (one without starter holes in the block)

I need a 4 speed bellhousing that will bolt to my 1966 gear box as well as my older model 326 engine. I need this bellhousing to have starter bolt holes so I can mount a starter.

Thanks for the link to the other sight, I'll put a post on there as well.

phil40_1

I'm not a Pontiac "expert" but i believe that what you have, (if it really is a 326), is a 1963 block, which in 1963 was actually a 336. If this is correct, it was the only year that block was made in that displacement. That could make finding a bell housing real difficult, because i'm not sure if a housing from a larger displacement engine would have the same mounting pattern, and if they do it would have to be from approx. 1958-1963.

Hope this info helps.

Phil.

Oldcar_Mechanic

326 Engines were built from 1963 through 1967, many of which were manual transmissions.

I would suggest that you get all the numbers off of the block and ask the guys that know these engines what it is you actually have. That way you can focus your search must better then guessing what it is you will need.

Phil40, an interesting fact that you bring up. I have no information on a 336. Where did you find this info?

Ron

phil40_1

I think that all Pontiac guy's know that the "326" was built from 1963-1967.

The point is that for the proper starter mounting, the bell housing has to be from a 1963 or OLDER engine. I admit that i do NOT know if the bolt pattern is the same for a 1963 "326" as it is for a 1963 and OLDER, larger displacement engine. If it is the same, it will probably be difficult(but not impossible) to find, if it is not the same, it will probably be even harder to find. If you had the engine "built", i would assume you know for sure that it is a "326".

Let us know how this turns out.

Phil.

racemaster33

The casting number on the block is 543680. Does that help?

phil40_1

According to the information that i have, that makes it a 1963 "389" block.

Phil.

racemaster33

Is there a bell housing that will accept a starter for that year model?

Ol racer

It might be simpler (and easier If your motor is out) to get a tracing from a block that has the starter mounting holes then drill & tap your block pad identical. Even without a tracing you can set the starter against the block with the 'drive extended' into the ring gear then mark....You may have to sabre saw the bell housing a little for the starter nose cone. I have done similar... Just a thought...

phil40_1

I don't know if i would want to try drilling and tapping new holes into that block, even if the starter mounting boss is there and the same, those blocks are HARD and one slip could mean a junk block. I would look for a bell housing to fit a Pontiac v-8 from about 1958 to 1963. Or sell the whole motor to someone that can use it and buy one from a newer vehicle with the proper starter mounting.

Phil.

phil40_1

WOW, so in three weeks nobody has anything else to add to this post!!

Not even the original poster can come back and let us know how the project is going!!! It would be nice, just once, to see one of these post come to a conclusion instead of just fading away.

Oldcar_Mechanic

I agree Phil. Many posts on this site die a quick death for some reason. Far to many times the original poster asks a question and then dissapears.

Go figure

Ron

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