50 bell housing
 

Hi all. I have a bell housing and a 3sp f1 tranny for my 50 flathead v8. 10 inch clutch. Everything bolts up but the bell housing hits the pressure plate and won't go on. Would it go on over a 9.5 inch clutch/pressure plate? Mert

Re: 50 bell housing
 

How about posting a photo of your bell housing or at least some why of IDing it?

Re: 50 bell housing
 

This bell housing does not fit over my 50 f1 10 inch pressure plate. Do I need a 9.5 in pressure plate? Thanks. Mert

bell housing.jpg

Re: 50 bell housing
 

That is somewhat odd, where is it hitting, on the surface that bolts to the transmission?

Re: 50 bell housing
 

The main shaft is not sliding into the pilot bushing / bearing.
Put the bell housing on, then the trans.

Re: 50 bell housing
 

That appears to be the stamped-steel Merc bell you have. To use the bigger clutch, you'll need the cast iron truck bell and starter plate like below. DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...2&d=1299518322

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...9&d=1291821819

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...0&d=1291821819

Re: 50 bell housing
 

Good input V8. So does the steel stamped one only clear a 9.5 pressure plate?

Re: 50 bell housing
 

The stamped steel one should work. The cast iron one was designed for the 11-inch clutch and a 4-speed hogs head half bell. The Mercury cars use a 10-inch Borg & Beck and they have no issues. The 9 1/2-inch clutch plate won't work with the 1 3/8-inch 10-spline trans input shaft. I'd like to see the clutch to see what it is. 10-inch Long types do use the 1 3/8 10-spline disk but if it's something else???

Also, what type of oil pan are you using?

Re: 50 bell housing
 

Mercury used a Borg and Beck pressure plate. They may have a lower profile.

Re: 50 bell housing
 

The stamped steel Mercury bell will accept All 10" clutches, Long & Borg & Beck.
Very tight with an 11" clutch

Re: 50 bell housing
 

IF this 8BA had an early flywheel on it, does anyone know if the clutch SURFACE on the early flywheel sits farther away from the crankshaft flange? That would be a situation (IF true) that MIGHT put the clutch too
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...2&d=1430414858
close to the stamped bell. DD

Re: 50 bell housing
 

My guess the disk is on backwards, or the trans case is a early one.
I also would put the bell on first then the trans , you will see a lot better.