I've got the new engine and transmission in the car and I've run into a serious problem. I have a 157t 50oz 10.5in TCI Flexplate in the car, and I used the bellhousing off my '77 302 Maverick. I cannot get a starter to engage the flywheel, they are all too far off to the left, by a 1/2 in to 1.5 inches. I called a few people and they think I have a 164t bellhousing and I didn't even know it. Is there anything I can do besides tear it all apart and start over? PS. I tried: a mini starter, '88 mustang starter, and a 77 mav 302 starter.
I have another bellhousing in the garage, how do I know if its the correct one? ie. is there a measurement I can take, part number? anything? I can't put it all together and fail again.
bruce, go to http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/c4.html . this will show you how to id the 157 and the 164 flexplates.
I had the same problem when putting my Grabber together ... had a 164t bellhousing and 157t flywheel ... I ended up just getting the correct flywheel .
dan, are you running headers on your car? i was told that one reason to go with the 157t bellhousing was that it was smaller and made it easier to get the headers on. just wondering if that was true or not. thanks
I'm pretty sure the only diff between the starter mount on the 164 and the 157 is one of the starter holes. I think the bottom one moves inward for the 157. My Lakewood housing can use either flywheel and has the provisions for the alternate starter mount. Been awhile tho since I put it in.
thanks dan, thats good to know. i have both the 164 and the 157 bellhousing but i never used the 164 with the headers. nice to know i can if need be.
Measure from the dowel locating hole to the outer edge of the starter hole. Large bell is 17 3/4 inches. Small is 17 1/4inch. Got to use the small one for your flex and converter. Make sure the large one on the tranny now, bolts to the pump, if your small one in the garage does. Some large ones with the dipstick in the pan of the trans bolt to the case. Anyway you look at it, the trans has to come out again. Easy mistake to make when changing stuff around.
one of the other problems to be aware of is they changed from a 24 to a 26 spline in the c4's in 1970. takes a whole nuther convertor. don't ask me how i found that out.
bell's look exactly the same Comick76 is correct, the starter hole (bottom) is farther to the left on the 164 bell. Everything else looks identical....been there done that! Its aggrevating to say the least...... you can either change the bell or the flexplate(assuming all things are equal)....both require about the same amount of work....if you have the smaller bell I would go that route. again....been there done that! Good luck.
actually there is a way to tell by looking at them. the ribs on the top go all the way down on the 157 and only part waqy down on the 164. shows a pic in the link i provided earlier.
i'd pull the bellhousing off along with the tranny and torque convertor as a unit. unbolt the bell from the tranny and put the new one on, replace the convertor , making sure it seats properly then put it back up as a unit.jmo
