Bellhousing Identification

[RajunCajun]

Today since it was raining decided to try to mate the 3 spd standard trans I recieved with my 1966 mustang and a bellhousing that was also inside the car. When recieved they were not mated but I just assumed they went with each other.

anyways so I lined the top mounting holes of bell housing to top moutning holes of trans and tried to center it and the holes all line up but with no avail the front bearing retainer is to large to fit inside the bell housing hole.

Im trying to find out what the bellhousing actually goes to and the only code I was able to find is the ford part code

C3AA - 6394 - C
So if im reading this correctly and correct me if im wrong
C3 = Year 63
A = Ford Full Size
A = Chassis
6394 = part #
C = Third version of this part

The Trans is:

HEF - CW

1966 289cid, 3.03, After 11/1/65

which would match my year car



any help would be greatly appreciated

Dave

 

[D.Hearne]

You need a later bellhousing for that transmission. That one's probably got the weird rectangular trans pattern with one hole off to the side and lower than the others. Probably also is a "5 bolt" bell too. I've got one that should work up here in Opelousas for $40.

 

[RajunCajun]

Ah well one thing im still some what concerned about is will this trans be able to stand up to 300+hp

anyways here are some pictures
View attachment 525693
View attachment 525694
View attachment 525695

 

[D.Hearne]

Yes, that 3 speed Toploader will handle ANYTHING a 289 can throw at it. You'd be better off with a 4 speed Toploader though. I had a 67 fastback that came from the factory with a 3 speed like that, and although the gear ratio's are far apart, the 390's torque was able to overcome the handicap and still run 14's with 3.00 rear gears. Your 289 would do better with a 4 speed because of it's lack of torque. The bell I have will work with the 3 speed you have now. You might be able to sell that early bell to someone who's looking for one.

 

[RajunCajun]

Well im planning on using a 302 block with bolt ons to get me to that 300+hp will that change anything or are the parts interchangeable with 289 and 302?

 

[D.Hearne]

the 65-up 289 blocks are pretty much all interchangeable with the 302 parts, the only minor cylinder wall length was the difference there. The earlier 289 blocks had 5 bolt bellhousing patterns that your C3 bell has. The main difference in the 289 and 302 was the stroke length, 2.87 for the 289 and 3.00 for the 302. Rods were also different, the 302's had a slightly shorter rod at 5.095" vs the 289's 5.155"