From Dynaflow to T5

Hello!
I'm working on a Buick 8 320 1941 engine...
I need to install a manual transmission, so I d need a Flywheel, Bell-housing and clutch.
Any tips or recommendations on what parts I can use from other Buick engines or where to get them?
I appreciate any lead on that.
Thanks
 

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Welcome.
May we see pictures of the sides of the engine? I believe , from what I see, this is other than a '41 engine.

Thanks
Ben
 
OK. The picture clearly shows a '48 or later engine. The engine # shows it to be a '49. 1949 320 engines started with 5,220,. 1950 started with 5,653. Your # 5,453 is after the '49 start, before the '50 start. Therefore a 1949.

The engine is a Dynaflow engine as evidenced by the large center hole in the crank. There are adapters for that to install a pilot bearing. I have read the flywheel may need redrilled as the mounting holes are different. I cannot confirm that. I think any standard transmission flywheel housing, for a 320, back to 1940 will work. I don't know if the smaller series housing will work.

Good luck.

Ben
 
From my experience with the (smaller) 263 Buick I-8, your best bet is to start with a crankshaft, flywheel, and bell housing from a 320. (On the 263, there is no way to mount a Buick flywheel on a crankshaft from a dynaflow engine without extensive (and expensive) machine work. The correct crankshaft for a '49 320 is part no. 1321354, and may be a challenge to locate.
 
From my experience with the (smaller) 263 Buick I-8, your best bet is to start with a crankshaft, flywheel, and bell housing from a 320. (On the 263, there is no way to mount a Buick flywheel on a crankshaft from a dynaflow engine without extensive (and expensive) machine work. The correct crankshaft for a '49 320 is part no. 1321354, and may be a challenge to locate.

A 320 crank will not fit a 263! It is about 6 inches longer.

Ben
 
The Bensten conversions do not require a pilot bearing in the crankshaft. They place an adapter on the crankshaft to the flywheel, the adapter carries the pilot bearing.
 
I have an Insert for Pilot Bearing (Chevy truck from the 90s) and also a 3 kg lighter custom build Flywheel ,with a new OEM starterring shrunked on it, for my 263 Dynaflow Crank.
Also an bolt circle for a stressfree 4.0 Ltr. Jeep Clutch.
I think,that's for you also the only and easiest Way to go .. , especially with a 320 ,where manual Gearboxes (=Cranks) are extremely rare.
How difficult it is, to find a correct Bell it's another Topic..

Maybe a Dynaflow Bell will do this Job ?...this i don't know ..,eventually the other Guys here, knows more..

With the Bendtsen adapter it's THEN not a problem to match a 320 and a T5 together.

If I remember right, there was Years ago (maybe from Jyrki ?) here an article about Bell and Box matching..

Good Luck and keep us postin'
 
I have an Insert for Pilot Bearing (Chevy truck from the 90s) and also a 3 kg lighter custom build Flywheel ,with a new OEM starterring shrunked on it, for my 263 Dynaflow Crank.
Also an bolt circle for a stressfree 4.0 Ltr. Jeep Clutch.
I think,that's for you also the only and easiest Way to go .. , especially with a 320 ,where manual Gearboxes (=Cranks) are extremely rare.
How difficult it is, to find a correct Bell it's another Topic..

Maybe a Dynaflow Bell will do this Job ?...this i don't know ..,eventually the other Guys here, knows more..

With the Bendtsen adapter it's THEN not a problem to match a 320 and a T5 together.

If I remember right, there was Years ago (maybe from Jyrki ?) here an article about Bell and Box matching..

Good Luck and keep us postin'
Great info!!!...I really appreciate it!!!
Thank you
Fred Kunzendorf
 
The Bensten conversions do not require a pilot bearing in the crankshaft. They place an adapter on the crankshaft to the flywheel, the adapter carries the pilot bearing.
Sorry..you're right..., I'm didn't read the posting from Ben correct.
 
Now that you have information on how to avoid the need to use a "manual transmission" 320 crankshaft, there remains the problem of sourcing a bell housing.

FYI, there is a casting that connects the Dynaflow torque converter bell to the engine, and also mounts the starter motor. It is about 2 inches thick, and is referred to in my 1956 Motor's Flat Rate and Parts Manual only as "housing." The back of the Dynaflow torque converter bell itself has a large round opening that is much different than the back of a Standard transmission bell, both in size and bolt pattern. I've only seen pictures of the Bendtsen adapter, but I see no provision for fitting it to the back end of a Dynaflow torque converter bell. And, if you could, I would also wonder if the transmission mainshaft would reach into the pilot bearing carrier

I have no book listing parts numbers for the clutch (flywheel) housings. However, my 1956 Motor's Flat Rate and Parts Manual carries different parts numbers for the Dynaflow "housing" both for different years (49-50) vs. (50-51) and different series (70) vs. (40, 50).. I don't know if the differences are in the Dynaflows or the engines, but I suspect it is the Dynaflows. If you lack that information as well, maybe a good place to start would be to compare the back ends of the 320 with the back ends of a 248 or a 263. If the bolt patterns on the engines are alike, the bell housings may interchange between the big and the little I-8s., and make your search for a clutch housing a lot easier.
 
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