The modular system means that, rather than making a long list of specific engine/trans combo custom bellhousings, McLeod only has to provide universal bellhousings for all of the popular engines and caps for all of the popular gearboxes, along with a selection of spacers and reducers, so that the end user can order up the combination of pieces needed to make his hybrid drivetrain come together. The bonus is the built-in adjustment for gearbox centering.
Although we've focused on mating late-model overdrive gearboxes with older engines, that's only one of the potential uses for this system. Pieces are available to do just the opposite, like mating a Muncie four-speed with an LS1, or you can crossbreed manufacturer's components, perhaps mounting a Ford Top Loader behind that LS1, or a Chrysler Hemi four-speed to your 5.0L Mustang. Some of these combos may seem odd, but the point is, if there's a bellhousing and a cap available, the two applications can be merged.
Currently, McLeod offers bellhousings for all popular GM V-8s, including Buick-Olds-Pontiac and the Gen III series, most Ford V-8s, including small-block, FE-series, Lima-series, and the modular V-8s. Gearbox applications include popular GM four-speeds, Top Loader-style Fords, Mopar A-833, plus Tremec five-speeds and six-speeds. The only obvious omissions are Mopar V-8s, but that's in the works. Grab a McLeod catalog for details or check it out on the Web site (www.mcleodind.com). The possibilities are mind-boggling.
The aluminum spacer ring fits to the back of the bellhousing, and serves to establish the proper input-shaft depth for the gearbox to be used. |
The mounting flanges of the spacer ring are universal, though numerous thicknesses are offered, as illustrated by the two examples shown. |
The cap fits to the spacer ring, and mounts the gearbox. As with the bellhousings, there are multiple caps to fit multiple applications, in this case a wide range of gearboxes. In this photo, the reducer ring is already in place and will fit snugly between the cap and the gearbox's input bearing retainer hub. |