Bellhousing

[Paul Proefrock]

Has anyone used a McLeod modular scattershield behind an FE Block in a Hurricane? I have a supplier wanting to use the McLeod pieces. I found a thread on Club Cobra claiming the McLeod wouldn't fit his Cobra but I am still working on what brand he had.

Since my preference is Hurricane, has anyone tried this combo? I did find pictures of a Lakewood behind an FE in a Hurricane kit so I know that combo appears to work.

Comments or suggestions

Thanks

Paul

[Tom]

Are you talking about a separate shield or a blowproof bellhousing?  I'm running a stock Ford bell and there's all kinds of room aroud it.  I can't imagine ANY bellhousing not fitting in the tunnel.  But if you're talking the seperate shield, well, I can't help there.

Tom

[Paul Proefrock]

Tom
the McLeod modular scattershield is a bellhousing, constructed of steel and done so in pieces - front(block)plate, bellhousing, backplate that trans bolts to. The modular design lets them interchange pieces to fit different engine/transmission combinations. It is SFI approved if you want to do serious racing. If you want to see a picture of one, it is the lower item on this page: http://www.mcleodind.com/ProdGuide/PG_PDFs/Page%209.pdf

Apparently, the design is slightly larger than standard bellhousing as a user has reported interference with the firewall of his kit.

Lakewood makes a hydroformed bellhousing of steel but it is all one piece steel. These also are SFI approved. The build pictures of 66Rdstr, #1024 show the use of a Lakewood bellhousing.

The original bellhousings were cast, some iron, some aluminum. But these won't retain all the pieces of an exploding clutch or flywheel.

It boils down to a safety issue, especially if you plan to take the car to a dragstrip.

The guy I am talking to wants to supply a McLeod system. But I don't want to buy it and find out it won't fit a Hurricane

Paul

[Tom]

I just went down to the garage with the tape measure.  The CLOSEST my bell comes to the tunnel is where the bolt head is at about 10 o'clock (Looking from the rear of the engine).  And there's 3 1/2" of clearance there.  It increases to at least 5" everywhere else.  Again, I can't imagine ANY housing not fitting in that space.

Someone will chime in if I'm wrong, but I think Hurricane supplies the floor/tunnel pan depending on your engine choice.  So us FE guys get the most engine room, but the least foot room.

Tom

[LMH]

Hey Paul
Brad is using a McLeod on HM1006 with a TKO and a KC/Pond FE. I don't think it's the modular one but the bolt pattern has to be the same on the bellhousing no matter what. It doesn't appear that the mounting flange is any larger on the modular (judging by the photo's), so I don't think you'd have any trouble using that bellhousing.
Larry

[Ryan Cassidy]

I'm using the bellhousing on the top of that page, but you'll be perfectly fine with regards to fitment.  I'm running a 351w block, mcleod bellhousing, TK0600 and if I wanted to, I could take off the bellhousing and tranny from above the car with tools (not that I really prefer too though :-)  ).  More than enough room for clearance.

Cheers,

[Paul Proefrock]

I spoke to McLeod and learned a little more. The one at the top of the page, similar to Lakewood, most likely is a private labeled unit. The guy admitted only Lakewood makes the one piece unit.

The modular one, the one at the bottom, is made by McLeod. From what Ryan posted, I can't imagine it not working.  

I can see how the design doesn't taper towards the transmission like a one piece unit does. It is conceivable that it wouldn't work on some cars.

More research to do - leaning to the one piece unit like Ryan has successfully used.

Paul

[HM1006]

I don't think clearance was the problem.  It was more along the lines that the holes weren't matching up, or were not clearanced enough for the bolt to sit flat, and maybe some starter alignment issues.  I think it was earlier units, and I would think they would have gotten things squared away by now.  It would be worth asking about.

Brad