GM bellhousing for a '59 with a 350 4spd

[Pat #25912]

If I replace my Lakewood scatershield with a GM aluminum unit, what part number should I look for? Thanks.

[Tom D.]

You want orig. style or any alum casting? *NM*

[Pat #25912]

Re: You want orig. style or any alum casting?

Original looking Tom. The car has a 350 and a Muncie so it won't be judged. I do want a "vintage" look though. The engine is comming out next week so I can clean up and detail the motor and compartment. Based another thread, I think the Lakewood maybe the cause of other problems so it's being replaced. There are a couple of swap meets I will be attending soon, need to know what to look for. Thanks.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: GM bellhousing for a '59 with a 350 4spd

If you use a GM aluminum bellhousing, you will need one with the boss on the left side to attach the clutch cross shaft bracket. The 61/62 is p/n 3779553. I see these on ebay pretty regularly, though they aren't cheap. The other is the 60 unit which is p/n 3764591. I think these are somewhat rarer.

[Tom P.]

Re: GM bellhousing for a '59 with a 350 4spd

If you really want to have the "correct" look, the 59 Vettes still used a cast iron housing (first alum housing on a Vette was 60). This type housing was used on Vettes 55-59 and pass cars 55-62. The 55-7 version had motor mount pads on each side for attaching rear motor mounts in the passenger cars (Vettes never used mounts on the bell housing, although they used the same housing as pass cars). So, any cast iron 55-62 housing will work just fine. Also, the 55-62 engines had the starter mounted to the bell housing with 3 bolts. The block mounted starter began in 63. If you want to use a 55-62 iron housing and a block mounted starter (instead of the housing mounted starter), you will need a starter with a CAST IRON nose and staggered bolt pattern.

[Jerry C.]

Re: GM bellhousing for a '59 with a 350 4spd

Correct part number is 3733365 and is cast iron. These are easy to find in earlier dates IE 56-57. If you want a date to match your car they are hard to find. Date code will be to the right of the part number.