[MillerMotors]

Hi guys, new to the forum, and new to anything Pontiac. Just wondering if scattersheilds were / are available for 61-64 Pontiac’s where the starter bolts to bellhousing? Unfortunately I can’t use a stock Pontiac bellhousing as the 15 degree transmission angle will interfere with my crossmember. Does anyone know if the Lakewood 15100 can be made to work? I appreciate any help you guys can give. Here is the backstory of this debacle:

Anyways I’m resurrecting an old 60’s built ‘34 Ford coupe that’s Poncho powered. The engine that came in the car was a 1960 Pontiac 389 with an Isky roller cam, Edelbrock 2x4, an aluminum flywheel, and a cast iron bellhousing going to a Trans-Dapt GC-25 adapter to a T-10 4 speed trans.

Unfortunately water had gotten into the engine, and after messing with it for a while I could see it needed a rebuild. So a friend recommended a guy, but after tear down said it was bore .060 over with TRW forged pistons. He estimated the pistons were running 13:1. He didn’t want to sleeve the bores, and kept telling me it would cost too much and that I should find another engine.

And that’s when the trouble begins. I bought a 1963 Pontiac 389 off the local Pontiac guru without knowing the differences these motors have. Told the engine guy multiple times to check everything out (since he had both motors, the bell housing, flywheel, and front mount) before he started, but of course he never did. When I showed him the bellhousing didn’t fit he told me to sell it and buy a Chevy engine.

So now I’m left with a rebuilt 1963 389 with the heads intake and Isky cam out of the 1960 389 that came out of the car, but it doesn’t fit. I’ve got no room to run an angled Pontiac bellhousing with the trans at 15 degrees. Is my only hope to find a period 61-64 Ansen or RC or or other brand scattershield? The ones I’ve seen don’t appear to mount the trans at an angle. Or maybe I’m going to have to rebuild the 60 389?

[MillerMotors]

A couple pics of the old hot rod. Found it in Plantville Connecticut, but can’t find any history on it.

[Stuart]

Welcome to the site. Neat car! There's a board member here with the screen name Flamedabone who's built several Pontiac powered hot rods, including a 1933 Ford - here's the discussion about that car: https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=847438 You may try contacting him with a private message to see if he can give advice.

[tom s]

that bellhousing is made for a block mounted starter.The 63 block will need a bell that has a starter mount.a 55-60 bell wont work either.A 61-64 big car bell is what you need.Tom

[MillerMotors]

Originally Posted by tom s

that bellhousing is made for a block mounted starter.The 63 block will need a bell that has a starter mount.a 55-60 bell wont work either.A 61-64 big car bell is what you need.Tom

Tom, my only problem is that I don’t have room in the car to mount the transmission at a 15 degree angle. As far as I can research, all 61-64 Pontiac bells are mounted at that angle. I’m just hoping that some of the aftermarket old scatter shields mount the trans level? Can’t seem to find much info on old Ansen or RC bellhousings

[tom s]

The old Ansen and RC were straight up as I remember.Good luck finding them these days.The HAMB board maybe?Tom

[MillerMotors]

Originally Posted by tom s

The old Ansen and RC were straight up as I remember.Good luck finding them these days.The HAMB board maybe?Tom

Thanks for the insight Tom, that’s what I was hoping. Kind of a rare item for 61-64.

Just curious, but why won’t the Lakewood 15100 work? I can buy one for $80 somewhat locally and modify it if necessary

[tom s]

You cant mount a starter to it!Tom

[Stuart]

How about using one of those adapter plates that has a starter mount? https://butlerperformance.com/i-2445...i-p010004.html

[pfilean]

The adaptor shown in the Butler link is no linger available. I talked to Bendtsens a few weeks ago about it. I was looking for information about the thickness of the plate. Kid at Bendtsens went back to the stock room and came back with information about the plate and also said the only one on the shelf was labeled "do not sell". A couple of days later it no longer appeared on their website.

I remember from some old posts on this forum that some had problems with that design. But there is Bendtsens other design or the Wilcap design.

[tom s]

I thought of the adapter but remembered it was designed for T400 automatics.I had no clue how it would work with a stick shift setup?Tom

["QUICK-SILVER"]

Originally Posted by MillerMotors

Thanks for the insight Tom, that’s what I was hoping. Kind of a rare item for 61-64.

Just curious, but why won’t the Lakewood 15100 work? I can buy one for $80 somewhat locally and modify it if necessary

Hot rodding is all about making stuff work!

If that bellhousing comes with the block saver/motor plate... I could see drilling holes and welding nuts on the back side. May have to add a little material to the plate and do some cutting/trimming on the bell for clearance.

With the plate bolted to the block, flywheel installed, and solenoid off the starter.. Should be easy enough to check gear engagement for marking bolt holes. Mock fit with bolts and nuts before welding nuts so you can tweek/adjust if needed.

Just Thinking
Clay

PS I'd want to add a brace to the back end of the starter motor. If you can do the plate, the brace should be a cake walk.

[johnta1]

Gavin had a thread on adapters, not sure if any help for this thread though.

Plate Adapters

[Stuart]

I've heard that some 1963 blocks had the boss cast in for a starter mount, so all you need to do is drill and tap the necessary holes. That's a pretty slim possibility but it's worth verifying.

[tom s]

Late 63(64)blocks were setup for block mounted starters.REMEMBER that with a block mounted starter you will need a late flywheel also.Tom

[MillerMotors]

I’ll have to check the block. I’ll post some pictures

Originally Posted by QUICK-SILVER";6274599][COLOR="Black

[/COLOR]

Hot rodding is all about making stuff work!

If that bellhousing comes with the block saver/motor plate... I could see drilling holes and welding nuts on the back side. May have to add a little material to the plate and do some cutting/trimming on the bell for clearance.

With the plate bolted to the block, flywheel installed, and solenoid off the starter.. Should be easy enough to check gear engagement for marking bolt holes. Mock fit with bolts and nuts before welding nuts so you can tweek/adjust if needed.

Just Thinking
Clay

PS I'd want to add a brace to the back end of the starter motor. If you can do the plate, the brace should be a cake walk.

Clay I’m thinking the same. Bolt holes look the same and there’s already a bump out for the starter. This one doesn’t come with block plate, but I’m sure I can make one.

[tom s]

if a block was made for a block mounted starter the holes will already be there!Tom

[Ducks Goat]

This one is made by Wedge for 61-62 engines. BTW these things are heavy.

[tom s]

Thats what he needs!It looks like it is on a angle like a factory?Tom

[hobbygto65]

Is this what your looking for. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4483...22722564406855