[RATNEST]

I have a 1963 Bonneville engine at my shop and my son wants to put in his 1965 Tempest wagon, can it be done, I remember something with the starter ? Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

[tharkun8]

In 63 the starter mounted to the bellhousing .. not the engine block.. and the 63 blocks
( i believe) did not have the provision for the engine block mounted starter..
thats the real issue..

1964 B Bodies still used the Bhousing starter but the blocks had been modified
to accept a block mounted starter since in 64 the A bodies ( i understand) made the
switch to block mounted starters .. then in 65 they all went to the block mounted starter for good..

I attached a pic of a 63 and earlier block and a 64/later block to show the differences..

If you want to use a later trans on a 63 engine I believe there is an adapter you can use
to hold the starter.. Ive never had to use one since I only have 64 or later blocks...

John

[RATNEST]

Thanks for the reply, my son is running a 4 speed manual, do you or anybody know where he can find an adaptor and will this work with a manual set up ?

[hurryinhoosier62]

Wilcap does' but they're NOT cheap($625). Additionally, the Wilcap adapter is designed fro automatic transmissions. You'd have to call them to see if you can use their adapter with a manual trans. If you can, you're going to need a BB Chrysler starter...

[b-man]

Find another engine that's compatible, you'll thank yourself later.

[tharkun8]

Originally Posted by b-man

Find another engine that's compatible, you'll thank yourself later.

Thats likely the best advice.. if the car was a 63 or 4 it might be worth it
to make it work... but on a 65... probably not worth it cost wise.

one other possibility would be to find a 63 or 4 manual bellhousing with the starter
mount.. but those are also getting harder to find and pricy.. Ive been down that
road and not sure now if it was worth it.. but ill be using mine in my 64 GP once
I do the auto to manual swap..

BTW.. always nice to see someone going for a longtop with a manual..
good on your son..

John

[Engine-Ear]

I too would find another engine, but short of that, why can't the kid run a '64-back big car bell housing and use the rest of his parts?

[tom s]

The issue with the early engine is there is no provision in the block for the cross shaft ball.I think there is a bracket that can be fabed to use it.Also the trans is tilted some toward the driver.Anything can be done it just takes more work and sometimes more money.Tom

[Goatracer1]

I have put pre-1964 engines in A bodies and unless there is a REAL good reason don't waste your time. Besides starter problems there is a left side exhaust problem. If you use the A body oil filter housing the filter will hit the gusset on the side of the block. It can be ground down. If you use the B body filter housing the filter will hit the front suspension as it cycles putting a hole in the filter. Get a correct block.

[Jeffs64Cat]

I agree with everyone find a newer engine. I just found a 64 bell housing that had been magnafluxed for cracks at a cost of 650.00
Most that you find are cracked and are junk.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by tom s

The issue with the early engine is there is no provision in the block for the cross shaft ball.I think there is a bracket that can be fabed to use it.Also the trans is tilted some toward the driver.Anything can be done it just takes more work and sometimes more money.Tom

Never knew the about the cross-shaft ball issue - thanks!