bellhousing

[young olds]

Im wondering if a 62 3 speed bellhousing has the standard saginaw/t10/muncie bolt pattern or not?

[young olds]

i did some more research and answered my question

[Jim Noel]

The 1961 and early 1962 manual trans bell housings were only made for the three speed trans. The back face and ears are too small to add 4 more holes to fit a 4 speed. The later 1962 and all 1963 bell housings were drilled and taped for a three speed AND/OR a four speed. They have 8 taped holes on the mounting face. If you have a three speed hooked up to a bell housing and were wondering if the bell housing would accommodate a 4 speed, you would be able to see the open 4 speed holes outside of the 3 speed trans.

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[young olds]

Thanks, ill have to look under the car. Im looking to pick up another 62 f-85 that is a 3 speed and was hoping I could use a 4 speed i have with the bellhousing.

[young olds]

Assuming the car has the dual bolt pattern, will the 3 speed transmission crossmember work with a t10?

[Jim Noel]

The simple answer is; your 3-speed cross member can be modified to work with a 4-speed.I have attached pic’s of the mounting cross members for the 3-speed and auto. The 4-speed is either identical to the auto mount or so close that I do not know the difference. The 3-speed mount does not have the rubber isolation mount ends and the fixed ends would put a 4-speed too tight to the bottom of the floor pan. The3-speed mount in my pic has a strip of metal added to the ends that allowed the mount to be lower (further away from the floor pan) for a 4-speed trans.
Jim

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[young olds]

So the auto and 4 speed are seemingly identical? Im no stranger to modifying things so that wont be a problem, how far down did you drop it?

[Jim Noel]

When you get to that point, I would suggest you find an auto/4-speed cross member. Should not be that hard to find. Many automatic cars being sold as parts. If you don’t have any luck, I will measure and let you know then.
The 1962 4-speed was NOT offered until April of 1962, just a couple of months before the assembly line converted over to make 1963’s. Probably of finding a 1962 F-85 bell housing with the 3-speed and 4-speed capability is not very good, but don’t give up!
Jim

[young olds]

I picked up the car, checked the bellhousing a and it does have both patterns on it

[Jim Noel]

Good find! To make the 4-speed (Borg Warner T-10) fit, you will need to shorten the front section of the driveshaft. You will also need to modify the front floor pan (sometimes called the hump) to accommodate the 4-speed and shifter. Finding the cross member to support the rear of the 4-speed shouldn’t be too big a job. Someone on this site should be able to help you. Have fun, Good Luck!

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