[HotRodMan]

I have a 1967 327 Chevy motor with a Muncie 4 speed manual transmission. The bell housing is set up in such a way that the starter bolts directly to the bell housing.

Is it possible to change out the bell housing so that the starter would bolt to the bottom of the block? If so where do I get the bell housing?

[jimfulco]

You can, as long as your block has the proper threaded holes in the bottom for the new starter bolts. There are different designs, depending on what car you have, and each type of car may use one of two different sizes, depending on flywheel diameter. Any special reason you want to change?

[HotRodMan]

I would like to change it out so I can put a mini high torque starter in to clear the headers. The stock starter I have now only clears the headers by 1/16 inch. I have contacted every manufacturer that make the mini starters and no one makes a starter that will bolt to the bell housing. They all bolt up under the block. Also the stock starters for this are getting harder to come by, and I have even had experienced counter people tell me all Chevy starters bolt under the block.

[MI2600]

If that's a '67 block, it should have the starter holes in it.

I thought only the early SBCs, i.e. '55-'57 or so, had the starter bolted to the bellhousing. Is that an old cast iron bellhousing?

[Deuce]

I believe Chevy V8's had the holes in the bell housing on 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks until the mid 60's ... but that the blocks were drilled for block mount starters also.

Chevrolet used two basic size flywheels for most 327's ... the 153 tooth flywheel and the 168 tooth flywheel. Figure out which size you have ... and while you are under the 327 ... look to see and make sure the holes are in the block for a bolt on starter.

Then use the same bell housing you have ...

[HotRodMan]

Yes this is an old cast iron bell housing, and yes the block is drilled for the starter. Is it possible to buy a new bell housing the make the conversion or do I have to use an old one out of the junk yard?

[Deuce]

WHY change the bell housing ... just install the starter ( correct one that bolts on and fits the flywheel ) ....

[HotRodMan]

The bell housing covers up the block holes so you can not get the starter or the bolts in. The only way you could do it would be to change out the bell housing.

[Deuce]

I would love to see a photo of that bell housing ...
Never saw one like that ... all of the Chevrolet bell housings I have EVER seen do not protrude past the engine/bell housing parting line ...
This bell housing uses a bolt to the bell housing type starter ...

[HotRodMan]

Deuce, you are absolutely right. I have the engine out now and I can see what is going on much better. My bell housing is exactly like the one in your photo. I won't know for sure until I try it, but it does seam as thou I could block mount the starter using the existing bell housing. I have the 168 tooth flywheel with an 11 inch clutch plate. I will let you know what happens.

Is one brand of mini starter better than the other?

[jimfulco]

There are pics of block-mount-type bellhousings at www.rickscamaros.com . Click on the orange Camaro, click on Clutch Pedals & Pads, click on Bellhousings. The "11-inch" one is for the 168-tooth flywheel, and the "10.5-inch" one is for the 153.

[pfoust]

Tilton Engr. makes a bellhousing mount starter that was originally designed for Chevy engines in UPS trucks...the P.N. is 54-10015....you can find a picture of on their web site....not cheap but very high quality

[poncho62]

My 55 Chevy had a bell similsr to that........needed to use the bellhousing motor mounts. I wanted to use a block mounted starter, so I hacksawed off the bottom corner of the bellhousing, where the starter fit. Worked fine...gave enough room for the starter housing.

[IanRiordan]

I thought 1962 was the last year of the bellhousing mounted starter. I recall trying to fit an early (small dia) bellhousing over a late - 168 tooth flywheel in the 70s and it wouldn't fit. Get an alloy can from a 68 up muncie/saginaw/super t10 car it'll work.

[jimfulco]

They used bellhousing-mount starters in trucks until '72, or thereabouts.