Hello All, So... I have a 70 (made in 69) Maverick that we are converting to 302. Going to get the original C4 rebuilt and beefed up to take the 302. My problem is, I don't know whether I'm supposed to go 157 or 164 teeth on the flexplate. I know that they have different bell housings, and I need to get one of those too. Can I just pick one, i.e. 164 flex plus a 164 bell, or am I missing something else that determines which one I need. The trans is a D0 code, the engine D2 code. Thanks everyone. Once I have more things posted and comments, I can start to add pictures to my profile and show everyone our little project.
Bell size depends on the tranny. Do you have a case fill {dipstick goes into top of case} or pan fill {dipstick goes into side of pan}? Case fill usually takes a 157 tooth flexplate, pan fill usually takes a 164 tooth. Case fill bell bolts to front pump, pan fill bolts to a ring of holes outside of pump holes. There may be a small bell for a pan fill, and there may be a large bell for a case fill to farther complicate matters. I'm not 100% sure, somebody else will chime in if I'm wrong.... Flexplate also needs to match the balance of your engine, and torque converter bolt pattern. Yep, pan fill takes a larger pattern on the Torque converter. See what I mean? Ford was real good at changing things up. D2 sounds like a 1972, which should be a 28 oz, that is unless somebody put a 85 or later crank in it, then it would be 50 oz. Confused yet? Best bet is to get the bell, spacer plate {yeah, you will need one of those, too}, and flexplate off of the same motor. If you have a 250 I6 tranny, the bell will be the same as the one for a 302, a 200 I6 takes a different bell. Hope this helps.
The dipstick tube hole goes straight down through the case (at the very bottom of the case) and into the pan. Still not sure if its pan fill or case fill by this. Any help? The bell housing is attached by 7 bolts to the front pump I believe. There is not a ring of bolt holes outside to bolt onto. If I am seeing this correctly, and understanding Ford84Stepside's post correctly, I should get a 157 flexplate and bell for this? I tried to upload pictures but for some reason the website still won't let me. Thank-you everyone for your help!!!!
If your motor was a 250 it would already have the correct bell housing, if they were the 170 or 200 you will have to change. Just like Bobby describes, you have a case fill. They do make a 164 tooth flexplate and bell for that tranny also but you would be better off with the 157/smaller bell for space, JMO. Welcome to the board, there are quite a few from Wa. I'm sure they will be by soon.
My 72 came with a 302/C4 and it was a 157 tooth flexplate. I definitely did better shopping aftermarket through a trans shop, about a quarter the price that the Ford stealership wanted. The 157 set-up is more compact and will give you a little more room to work with.
