Original BB bellhousing

Seaman · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 06:46 PM

Can anyone shed some knowledge on what bellhousing was used on the BB Cobra. I know today most builders go with a scattershield, but were the Ford automotive (not truck) cast iron bellhousings used originally? If so, what casting numbers?

Thanks

Dave

A Snake · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 08:57 PM

After nearly 40 years, memory fades a bit, but I think Ford made it's version of a scattershield in cast steel. Seems like I saw one in a friend's shop. No guesses on casting # though.

Frankly other than as a curiosity piece, I wouldn't spend a lot of time looking for one. You are far safer with a modern steel bellhousing. I actually don't ever recall seing any kind of cast bellhousing on an FE in a Cobra...real or replica. Sure as heck though, someone on this site will pop up with one in their car.....

Al

rms427 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 10:44 PM

My cobra came with a 428 engine and it originally had a cast iron bell housing. I replaced it with a cast steel bell housing made by Anson. I've seen cast steel bell housings that had COBRA lettering on them. They were identical to my Anson except for the lettering. They were nice since they had a bolt on bottom section that would allow the clutch to be inspected or pulled without removing the whole bell housing. They were very heavy but did not have a flange that hung down as far as exesting scattershields. About 20 years ago NHRA revised there rules and did not allow cast steel bell housings so I changed to a current design.

Have fun, Ray

John 550 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2003, 06:27 PM

That would be me

I have a cast bell that I got with the 390 engine . I'm going to incorperate a scater sheild in the next set up for weight

I was wondering though if the cast iron bellhousing would be as effective in containing 6k rpm disassemble

rms427 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2003, 07:58 PM

The cast iron will not will not hold a clutch or flywheel failure. The cast steel scattershields were outlawed for racing but who knows why. One reason may be that they did not provide full containment towards the engine in case of a flywheel failure. A jaded thought is that the manufactures wanted to sell new scattershields.

I had a friend in a 409 Chevy lose a clutch through the lights at the drags. He had a stock cast iron bell housing. It took out the timing lights and pieces of the clutch came through the floorboard, dash and windshield. He was lucky that nothing hit him. I would assume he was turning around 6,000 rpm.

Have fun, Ray

Seaman · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2003, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the insight guys. Since I have a CJ bellhousing now, I think I will stay with it. Street car intentions only right now.

One other question for discussion.

Hydraulic throw out bearing, McCloud or equal, or standard fork setup with hydraulic slave cylinder?

Any pro's or con's concerning reliability or clutch actuation?

Thanks for your comments.

Dave