Wanted: Bellhousing to Mate T9 5-speed Gearbox to Kent Block

[escondidoron]

I'm in need of a bellhousing to mate a T9 5-speed gearbox to a Kent engine. I need to retain the standard Cortina flywheel / starter interface.

 

Anybody have one that they want to sell?

 

Regards,

Ron

[The Stig]

The best option may a new one be directly from Burton Power. Not a bad price even with shipping. http://www.burtonpower.com/bellhousing-rs2000-dual-lhd-rhd-bh3.html

[inchoate]

The best option may a new one be directly from Burton Power. Not a bad price even with shipping. http://www.burtonpower.com/bellhousing-rs2000-dual-lhd-rhd-bh3.html

 

FWIW i've had very positive interactions with Burton. Very easy to deal with and everything i've gotten from them has been high quality.

[locost7018]

Second the Burton suggestion. Russ

[escondidoron]

FWIW i've had very positive interactions with Burton. Very easy to deal with and everything i've gotten from them has been high quality.

 

I have had very good interactions with them as well.

 

I have researched the web to see what's out there. I'm concerned that the bellhousings from Burton, RWD, Tiger, etc., will require a different flywheel and starter. And I already have a very nice lightweight unit in the Cortina, Escort, Anglia configuration and lightweight hi-torque starter motor setup that I would like to stay with.

 

Here are a couple of pics that show the starter / bellhousing interface. Both bellhousings are to bolt up to the Kent engine. The top one, with three bolt holes for the starter, is for a T9 or Rocket Box 4-speed and supports the late Ford style starter. I'm not sure, but I'm concerned that it may not take the starter that I have ('60s EnFo 2-bolt style) and/or a different flywheel to provide the proper starter engagement. The bottom one is for the Cortina-style 3-rail gearbox and standard Cortina starter / flywheel combination. Note the 2-bolt starter mounting interface:

http://www.rwdmotorsport.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/img_0556hydr.jpg

http://www.rwdmotorsport.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/0/2000e-front.jpg

 

I've also looked into using a bellhousing from an XR4TI or Pinto. The T9 was used on the Merkur and the Rocket box was used on manual shift Pintos, but the pair of bellhousing to block mounting bolts are an inch or so higher on the Lima engine bolt pattern. Also, the input shaft on the Merkur T9 is apparently a bit longer than the Euro short shaft T9 (which is what I have) and a bit shorter than the Scorpio V6 long configuration input shaft. I'm not sure about the 4-speed Type E gearbox used on the Pinto input shaft length. But the Pinto flywheel uses an 8-1/2" clutch so I suspect that it is a larger diameter. And Pintos use a standard 3-bolt Ford starter.

http://www.merkurmidwest.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/bellhousing_t9.jpg

[s2europa]

The bell housing from a 2.0l Pinto that has the Ford of Germany (FOG) transmission will bolt up to the T-9 and the Kent engine pattern. The rub comes in using the crossflow starter. You may have to look elsewhere for that.

[dvl]

There’s a Cortina/Elan/Anglia bell housing to T9 gearbox adapter, available from the Milton catalog (miltonrace.co.uk). I’ve never purchased one, but I’ve been happy with their English Axle disc brake conversion brackets and have heard good things about their other products.

I hope this helps,

Dave

[escondidoron]

Hi Dave;

 

That is a very good idea. And one that has lead me to my planned path forward. Yes, I am familiar with Milton's 105E upgrade kits and their 3-rail to T9 steel sandwich plate adapter. It is very attractive but not a good option for me as it doesn't support the HD version T9 (i.e. the V6 configuration) that I have. The V6 box has an additional cover for an uprated bearing on the mating / front face of the gearbox as well as a longer input shaft. This additional cover is shown in the bottom inset picture, below:

http://www.classicfordmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/classic-ford-type-9-five-speed-guide-820x547.png

 

That said, I'm now planning to make my own 30mm thick Caterham style adapter plate, along the lines of Milton's piece, but with an integral mount for the Ford Focus, Contour, Mystique annular throwout bearing assy.

 

The adapter will sandwich between the bellhousing and the transmission to accommodate the longer input shaft as well as provide mounting pattern for the Focus throwout bearing / slave cylinder assy.