As an eternal fabricator and crazy person, I'm constantly dreaming up my next strange drivetrain combo. As a former fabricator for a few custom and hotrod shops, I was the go-to guy for driveline engineering. I'm fine with the classics. Yes, this TH400 will fit that Nailhead, but not THAT nailhead, or yes, the AX15 can be put behind an AMC inline 6 with a bellhousing from a Jeep, or knowing that TH350, THM200, and 200-4r will all swap in with just a crossmember change, etc.
Now that automotive worlds are starting to conglomerate, there has to be some database for that stuff, right? Like Jeep/Chrysler/Fiat used a Motori Diesel with a Mercedes NSG370 trans. So, is it a Chrysler pattern? AMC? Mercedes? Motori?
Kinda like a wheel bolt pattern reference where you can select a certain bellhousing pattern and see what was available on either side of the flywheel. Does such a thing exist?
So while you have all this 'free' time why don't you compile what you've encountered and start a GRM bell housing vs flywheel vs engine compatibility (GRM community)spread sheet and see what shakes out .....from the vast knowledge of the hooligans(input required on said spread sheet for all to consume) that thrash in these hallowed 'threads'.....I'm thinkin by day break tomorrow .....ok maybe lunch time, the input will be pretty amazing...g'nite
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
There was a pretty big & detailed thread about this on here. I'll search in a bit & see if I can find it.
Not a bad idea. If you find that thread, I can start a spreadsheet. I was hoping someone already did the work of the fancy html where you can search with check boxes and radio buttons.
For instance, I can do a spreadsheet by Brand, like Chevy, BOP, SBF, Ford Lima/Cologne, etc... but with today's mix n match stuff (like the Jeep I referenced above) how do I delineate. For instance, right now I'm dreaming up a medium sized diesel (3-4 liters) that I want to pair with a 5 or 6 speed manual. I can research the ratios and torque capacities on my own. But if I had a database where I could click on OM606 and it listed all the possible transmissions that could fit it with notes, like "requires swapping to 722.6x bellhousing" Or if Stampie had a 5 speed out of a Nissan Xterra on his garage floor and thought, "I wonder what I could put in front of it for a challenge Pinto?"
Bellhousings used to be easy. It was a Mopar, so it had one of three bolt patterns. Now Mopars are in bed with Motori, Fiat, Mercedes, Jeep... and they still keep a lot of the AMC patterns alive. All of the big three used to have their hands in the cookie jar of a few aftermarket transmission manufacturers like Tremec, Saginaw/Muncie, and Dana. Now it's just so overwhelming.
Even better would be a database of the actual dimensions of the engines and trans mounting, so adapters could easily be made by CNC.
I think the companies that make them like Kennedy? have all this info, maybe consider it state secrets?
I on the other hand am interested in the dimensional details of bellhousing and transmission face bolt patterns/bearing registers/dowel pin size and location as I'm trying to fit a T5 to an MGC and an close ratio AMC Super T10 to the mgb race car (do you know what they want for a set the old Jack Knight close ratio gears that fit in the MG gearcase, if you can find them? Sit down and still prepare to faint.)
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
Here’s the other thread.
Good start.
I've decided to start a spreadsheet. Column A will be what engines have that pattern, Column B will be the pattern name (if there is one), Column C will be what transmissions have that pattern, then maybe column D with pictures/schematics.
Super slow start. Mom and dad are coming so I'll work more on it later. Here is a link if anyone wants to tinker
And just realized its way off. I basically copied and pasted from wiki to get started and realized there are a bunch of FWD transverse that don't belong in there
Like a decade ago, I found a thread on some 4x4 forum that was FULL of info on mix-n-match engine/bellhousing/trans combos. I don't have it bookmarked, though.
and yeah, I'm gonna guess that Kennedy/Novak/etc. consider this stuff "proprietary" now with the proliferation of ordinary yokels with access to CNC equipment.
Man, I've always thought something like this would be an amazing idea but never had the gumption to tackle it. Hopefully it doesn't become full of hearsay and "I heard this engine with this trans" type junk.
Thank you.
I wonder how hard it would be to integrate (without oversaturating with text) removable bellhousings and the associated patterns?
Ok, modest update. I have some of the GM stuff done. Please, dive in and add if you wish.
Linky again
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
I appreciate all of the info I have a 1965 amc American with the 232 and m35 automatic transmission I need to replace the transmission and have a 200 4R I would like to use will it bolt up or what other options do I have for an automatic transmission
I am a CMM Programmer. Somebody buy me a CMM and I will start a database for this stuff, lol.
