Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

A friend has asked about installing a Packard V8 in a Studebaker bus he owns. He wants a truck manual shift transmission and the Packard V8 standard shift bellhousing isn't wide enough to take a truck bolt pattern.

I'll investigate whether there's any cost-effective way to modify a cast iron T-U bell and report back here to the forum.

Let me know what you've got and where you are.

Thanks in advance.

jack vines

Did they make a cast iron TU bell housing for the V8?

I thought they were all aluminum?

The straight 8 had cast iron, not sure about gear-start.

55 cast iron, 56 aluminum.

Kev i think you are thinking about the body. the bellhousing is aluminum on both years of v8s

Well, that sorta shoots down that IDEA, doesn't it.

If they're aluminum both years, does anyone have a no-longer-needed aluminum T-U bellhousing?

I'm thinking the T-U bell is so light, it would require welding a reinforcing plate to handle a truck transmission. Even then, the sides might be too light for a heavy truck tranny to hang off it.

It might be possible to put an extra crossmember to support the truck tranny, depending upon which is chosen. Many, such as the Borg-Warner T98 4-speed, don't have a mounting pad on the bottom.

jack vines

The 55 TU is pretty damn heavy with that cast iron body and it amazes me that it holds together fine. Not sure how much that truck trans would weigh compared though.

I think I have a spare in the shed. Will have to look. If I remember right.... It has a stripped bolt hole. Ill look.

here is what I have in the shed, but i'm was thinking one of the bolt holes was stripped for the front pump mounting. they didn't look bad though. so maybe I used the one that was stripped and just helicoiled it...yeah I think I did.

I don't forsee any reason to need this myself and you have done me solids in the past. So i'll give it up.

pm me if you want further info etc.

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Henry, what goes around comes around.

I'll PM you with my address and we'll settle up for shipping and whatever.

jack vines