I am building a 393 stroker and thinking about a Tremec TKO 600 tranny. The engine will produce around 500 - 530 HP at the flywheel. It won't be too high revving of an engine. I figure around 6000 - 6500 for the street. I have heard 7000 RPM or more is the magic number. When is it a good idea to use a scattershield over the aluminum bellhousing?
When is it necessary to use a scattershield?
- Thread starter wickedmach1
- Start date
Great68
Founding Member
MustangMatt1966
New Member
HistoricMustang
Active Member
Yes, use one and a suggestion on how to save a few bucks.
Locate a late '60s or early '70s V-8 Ford pick up as they used a nodular bellhousing which is actually better than modern day aftermarket versions.
You can pick these up at any salvage yard that has been around a few years and get one for a "song and dance".
This is what I have run in my car since day one as I value my toes, feet and legs. If you have ever seen a clutch and flywheel explode you become an instant believer.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
Locate a late '60s or early '70s V-8 Ford pick up as they used a nodular bellhousing which is actually better than modern day aftermarket versions.
You can pick these up at any salvage yard that has been around a few years and get one for a "song and dance".
This is what I have run in my car since day one as I value my toes, feet and legs. If you have ever seen a clutch and flywheel explode you become an instant believer.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
i too hav eseen first hand the results of a clutch explosion, and i highly recomend a scattershield in your application. it is more than just rpm that dictates the need for a scattershield. horsepower and parts selection as well as use also tell you if you need a scattershield.
jikelly
20+ Year Stangneter 
Will the truck bellhousing will mate-up to a tremec 3550? If I can find one I'd be willing to install it when I change my slipping clutch in the spring.
Not too long after the C5 Corvettes came out there was a picture circulating the net (especially the so cal region) where I guy tried a high rpm launch with slicks on and the flywheel actually cut up through the dash. The teeth of the ring gear of the flywheel were sticking up through the top visible from the passenger compartment
HistoricMustang
Active Member
Cbarton, A Ford nodular iron bellhousing is stronger than any aftermarker scattershield. I keep trying to tell you guys that the automakers spend millions off dollars testing their parts.
A standard bellhousing is no good in performance situations - a nodular iron is just fine and it fact it weighs more than the type you mentioned. I give up the few extra pounds for a safer "scattershield". I have actually seen parts come through the aftermarket style.
Oh, by the way, the NASCAR boys do not even use a scattershield.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
A standard bellhousing is no good in performance situations - a nodular iron is just fine and it fact it weighs more than the type you mentioned. I give up the few extra pounds for a safer "scattershield". I have actually seen parts come through the aftermarket style.
Oh, by the way, the NASCAR boys do not even use a scattershield.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
HistoricMustang
Active Member
fastcoupe68 said:
fast, then what are the NASCAR boys using? (I know the answer)
Also, the bellhousing from the trucks in the late sixties were not cast. They are nodular.
By the way NHRA and IHRA get a "kickback" on every unit sold..............just more hype to buy stuff!
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
HistoricMustang said:fast, then what are the NASCAR boys using? (I know the answer)
Also, the bellhousing from the trucks in the late sixties were not cast. They are nodular.
By the way NHRA and IHRA get a "kickback" on every unit sold..............just more hype to buy stuff!
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
Nodular iron is cast iron. The "nodular" in nodular iron refers to the form of the grahphite particals contained in the iron. The particals are spherical (nodular) as opposed to the flake form typical of ordinary cast iron. Nodular iron, more correctly known as "ductile" iron is ~30% stronger, but not as strong as steel.
Route666
Active Member
Historic how do you know the factory nodular stuff is stronger?
I definitely agree it would be heavier, but I don't know about stronger. I wouldn't say that because it is from a factory vehicle it is the best. They wouldn't design a super-dooper Titanium scattershield if the vehicle it is for is going to make 250hp and be marketed at making towing the kids around easier. They build for adequate safety and cheapest cost vs selling price. I would wager that dedicated performance aftermarket companies would spend more research on maximum strength, weight reduction etc.
Big clutches and high rpms are what give the clutch pieces enough energy to tear apart and drive through the car and chop feet off. Trucks and almost all factory cars are limited to low and moderate rpm.
As for NASCAR, all the stuff I found said steel factory bellhousing required or steel blanket around other type.
not trying to "flame" or get your blood pressure up, this is just how my logic sees it.
I definitely agree it would be heavier, but I don't know about stronger. I wouldn't say that because it is from a factory vehicle it is the best. They wouldn't design a super-dooper Titanium scattershield if the vehicle it is for is going to make 250hp and be marketed at making towing the kids around easier. They build for adequate safety and cheapest cost vs selling price. I would wager that dedicated performance aftermarket companies would spend more research on maximum strength, weight reduction etc.
Big clutches and high rpms are what give the clutch pieces enough energy to tear apart and drive through the car and chop feet off. Trucks and almost all factory cars are limited to low and moderate rpm.
As for NASCAR, all the stuff I found said steel factory bellhousing required or steel blanket around other type.
not trying to "flame" or get your blood pressure up, this is just how my logic sees it.
Please enlighten me, what are the nascar boys running? Could it be aluminum? How about Steel!!!! Not cast!!!HistoricMustang said:fast, then what are the NASCAR boys using? (I know the answer)
Also, the bellhousing from the trucks in the late sixties were not cast. They are nodular.
By the way NHRA and IHRA get a "kickback" on every unit sold..............just more hype to buy stuff!
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
Nodular=cast
Every unit of what?
Nascar rules, All nascar approved aluminum bellhousings must have enclosed clutch assemblys if not you must have a nascar approved scatter blanket. How is that Mr. Nascar? Tell the Boys I said Hi.
HistoricMustang
Active Member
666, here you go. Let me know when you are done so I can give the "pop -quiz":
http://www7.taosnet.com/ebear/metal/heattreat7.html
68, very good. I did not know the particulars but do remember not seeing what looked like a scattershield the short time I was around the Winston Cup cars. I do also remember what looked like a rubber padding in the drive shaft tunnel to slow down anything that might get that far.
Having said all of that, they simply do not have clutch failures.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
http://www7.taosnet.com/ebear/metal/heattreat7.html
68, very good. I did not know the particulars but do remember not seeing what looked like a scattershield the short time I was around the Winston Cup cars. I do also remember what looked like a rubber padding in the drive shaft tunnel to slow down anything that might get that far.
Having said all of that, they simply do not have clutch failures.
HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
Hack
15 Year Member
Cast materials are generally more rigid than forged or rolled materials. It's like glass is more rigid than rubber. Rigidity may not be the most important thing in a scattershield, I expect. A material that can bend and give - absorbing / spreading out the impact - will probably work better than a rigid material that will shatter on impact.
I don't know anything about scattershield design, but specs and properties can be deceptive. A cast bell might show a higher modulus of elasticity, but the mode of failure is cracking rather than bending. I expect ductile materials would be far superior for absorbing and stopping shrapnel.
I don't know anything about scattershield design, but specs and properties can be deceptive. A cast bell might show a higher modulus of elasticity, but the mode of failure is cracking rather than bending. I expect ductile materials would be far superior for absorbing and stopping shrapnel.
