Transmission / Overdrive: 1955-64 Champion truck engine experts, need block plate/bellhousing help

[PackardV8]

A local friend wants to use a '55 185" engine in an earlier truck but has had no luck finding the rear block mounting plate. He says his Parts Manual shows a number change at 1959. I was under the assumption that part was the same '55-64 and all of them mated to the V8 bell housing. Can anyone confirm or clear up what actually works on which years?

He's really in need of this part, so anyone who can supply same, e-mail, phone or PM me.

Thanks in advance.

jack vines

[PackardV8]

Dwain Grindinger was kind enough to send me the four-page technical bulletin about using the '55-'58 185"s in earlier Studes.

Still would like confirmation as to whether the '59-'64 truck rear block plate is the same as the '55-'58 truck.

jack vines

[r1lark]

I was under the assumption that part was the same '55-64 and all of them mated to the V8 bell housing.
jack vines

Jack, only the 8E (1963 & 1964) engine plate allowed the mating of the V8 bellhousing to the six cylinder. Some taxis used this plate also.

[PackardV8]

Jack, only the 8E (1963 & 1964) engine plate allowed the mating of the V8 bellhousing to the six cylinder. Some taxis used this plate also.

Learn something every day.

Since the T90 was used in most years of trucks, can we assume the reason for using the V8 block plate in '63-'64 was to allow the use of the HD automatic in the Zip Van? Any other thoughts as to why the change?

jack vines

[r1lark]

Learn something every day.

Since the T90 was used in most years of trucks, can we assume the reason for using the V8 block plate in '63-'64 was to allow the use of the HD automatic in the Zip Van? Any other thoughts as to why the change?

jack vines

Without looking at the parts book for the largest 6 cylinder clutch in '62............maybe to allow a larger clutch/flywheel size in the 8E trucks?

[DieselJim]

Try Tom Karkewicz. 574-287-583four.

[Dwain G.]

The part numbers for the rear plate did change in 1959. Two new numbers, 1691972 for Autolite starter, 1691544 for Delco. First number shows for '59 only, the other one through '62. And one more new number for '63-64, 1546534.
Not sure why the starters would cause need for a change in the plates in '59.

[studeski]

A local friend wants to use a '55 185" engine in an earlier truck but has had no luck finding the rear block mounting plate. He says his Parts Manual shows a number change at 1959. I was under the assumption that part was the same '55-64 and all of them mated to the V8 bell housing. Can anyone confirm or clear up what actually works on which years?

He's really in need of this part, so anyone who can supply same, e-mail, phone or PM me.

Thanks in advance.

jack vines

My experience was a 57 185 but the transmission came with it. It was a car engine. So I took my 53 169 truck mounting plate and bolted the two together and drilled the necessary holes in the 169 truck plate to mate up with the 185 block.

[PackardV8]

My experience was a 57 185 but the transmission came with it. It was a car engine. So I took my 53 169 truck mounting plate and bolted the two together and drilled the necessary holes in the 169 truck plate to mate up with the 185 block.

Great info!!

Those of us who think the crank main bores were lowered for the longer stroke 185" crankshaft probably would have mistakenly assumed the earlier small-block rear block plate couldn't be modified to fit. Now we know it can.

jack vines

[skyway]

Innersting; I knew the main’s diameter got bigger but presumed the centers remained the same and that the block became taller.

[PackardV8]

Innersting; I knew the main’s diameter got bigger but presumed the centers remained the same and that the block became taller.

If the centers remained the same, why would there be a different cam/crank gearset?

jack vines

[skyway]

Didn’t know that; thanks Jack!

[studeski]

Innersting; I knew the main’s diameter got bigger but presumed the centers remained the same and that the block became taller.

Yes the block is 3/8" taller I think. Check the difference in stroke on the two and that's how much higher the block is.

[PackardV8]

Yes the block is 3/8" taller I think. Check the difference in stroke on the two and that's how much higher the block is.

A bit of math and geometry is in order; for a 3/8" longer stroke, the piston only goes 3/16" higher in the bore and 3/16" further down at the bottom.

jack vines

[studeski]

I know that but when you measure from the top of the bellhousing to deck it's 3/8" higher.
I have a block here, I will check.