Trouble finding the right bellhousing

I have a '65 fastback that my dad recently turned over to me. He used to street race it when he was a kid, and did a lot of modifications to it that he doesn't really remember. One thing he does know, is that he replaced pretty much the entire drive train with that of '67 coupe. My car has a 289 (HI-PO) in it and a transmission stamped C5AP7006BJ. It currently has a Lakewood steel bellhousing on it, but the starter will not line up and apparently hasn't since the 60's. I only get 5-10 starts before the starter pinion gear is tore up. I have a FoMoCo bellhousing with the part number C5DA-6394-A on it. Doesn't fit. I think that was for a 157 tooth flywheel, and apparently mine is 164 tooth. So basically, I think I'm looking for a '67 289 bellhousing that fits over a 164 tooth flywheel and mounts to a C5 transmission. Any Ideas? Thanks,
-Ty  

there are TWO different depth of pinion starter motors..  

3124 and 3132..  the 3124 is usually for automatics and the 3132 is for the manual transmission apps




you may also need a starter shim from dorman to shim the starter back farther from the ring gear.   please.. if you use a dorman shim please drill the mounting bolt holes out to 9/16" or 5/8"  on the SHIM only.. the factory mispunched them to exactly 3/8 .. and there are variations in the bolt spacing.. you will notice that you starter mounting ears are drilled to probably 1/2".. so you can move it slightly..  

Thanks waynep71222, but I've tried all different types of starters and shims. I currently have a starter for an automatic transmission from the 80's in there with 2 Chevy shims. That seemed to get me about 20 starts on the starter. Bottom line is, I want an aluminium bellhousing back on there, and I want to take the Lakewood safety housing off.  

these are the ford style starter shims..    most parts stores stock the double ..

please drill the holes to 9/16 or 5/8



with just chevy shims.. the starter is not going to be supported and it will ROCK away from the flywheel and rip the teeth off the pinion and the flywheel..

the starter nose ring also HAS to fit into the block protector shield that fits between the bell housing and the block..  the ring aligns the starter and keeps it from being deflected..

i have had some starters that just would NOT fit into the ring flush...

as for going back to an factory bell housing...   do you have a 5 bolt block or a 6 bolt block.. and you will need the proper ford block separator plate..

i don't have the casting numbers handy right now..   i am taking that you have a T10 transmission..  

I have a 6 bolt block. As far as the transmission goes, no, it's a C5. As a sidenote, I do have a BW-T10 in my garage if anyone is interested. No idea on condition, came with a pile of parts.  

post pictures at photobucket   i am lost here...  

STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION installed in the car  

A 3-speed C5 (manual transmission). I'll get pictures when I can, but I took everything out of the car. I'll try and explain everything again:
'67 289 (HI-PO)
3spd C5 transmission
Lakewood safety bellhousing (steel one)
most recently had on a starter from an automatic transmission from the 80's (this seemed to work the best)
Keeps stripping the teeth off of any and all starters.
164 tooth flywheel

I want to go back to a more stock (aluminium) bellhousing. I have in my garage a 5 bolt bellhousing that doesn't fit (part number in first post) due to two reasons. I have a 6-bolt block, and a larger flywheel.
I would like to find the correct bellhousing that is supposed to go on the car instead of the Lakewood safety bellhousing. Did that help at all?  

Have you considered a T5 trans and late model bell( converted to an early style clutch rod from the late cable operated throwout bearing fork). It's an easy conversion with the kit from most Mustang parts supplier.
Fulcrum  

I have thought about the T5 conversion. Don't really want to do that right now. I really just want the right bellhousing for what I have.  

Year Application Casting Number
1963-64 289 C3AA-6394-C
1963-64 390-406-427 C3AA-6394-A
1965 289 5 bolt block C3AA-6394-C
1965-67 289 6 bolt block C5DA-6394-A
1965-67 390-427-428  (11" clutch) C5AA-6394-A
1966-69 390 GT  (11 1/2" clutch) C6OA-6394-B and D
1968 289-302 C8AA-6394-A (aluminum)
1968-69 302 C8AA-6394-B (cast iron)
1968-69 390 GT - 428 CJ  (11 1/2" clutch) C8OA-6394-A
1968-69 428 CJ-SCJ (after 2-15-68) C8OA-6394-A
1969-73 302 C5AA-6394-B
1969-70 351 C5TA-6394-A
1969 390-428  (11" clutch) C9AA-6394-C
1969 428 CJ-SCJ C6OA-6394-B and D
1969-70 429 C9AA-6394-D
1970 428 CJ-SCJ C6OZ-6392-C
1970-71 429 Boss (after 2-2-70) C9AA-6394-E
1971 351 D1TE-6394-AA
1972-73 351 D1TA-6394-AA
Bellhousings that will be used with a Toploader must measure 6 1/4" deep. If it measures 6 3/4" deep it is a truck bellhousing and should not be used.  

Thanks waynep71222, but that article has absolutely nothing to do with my car or my post! That article talks about a straight 6, I have a 289, which the article also does not cover. I have a 3-speed toploader, again, the article does not cover. I am simply looking for a part number for a bellhousing (aluminium, not a steel safety bell) that fits up to a 1967 289 and a C-5 3-speed toploader, and will fit over a flywheel that has 164 teeth. That's it. If there is anyone out there that can help, please do! Thanks.  

sorry i lead you astray with the six cylinder info...

one thing...    no matter what bell housing..   the starter always mounts  flush with the back surface of the block...

so if you have the WRONG starter on it.. with the same wrong flywheel.. or the flywheel ring gear on backwards... yep.. seen that done..   you are still going to have issues...

the depth the gear sits at is different..    got some measurements...   got photos..


is it quiet the first few starts???

where is it wearing out the face of the crimped on can????

is the pinion gear getting torn up????    if so where... on the end?? or near the back??



you can use photobucket to post images for free...

i will now stop posting to this thread unless you ask..  

this is probably want you might want...

http://mustangtek.com/Bellhousings/Bellhousings.html  

since i have not had a barrage of phone calls and a few minutes of sleep..


this describes your starter problem exactly....  i hope it will cure it...   this is a great read...

http://www.bcbroncos.com/ford%20starters.pdf

good luck with your project...