Gentlemen:

Wish to put a manual transmission on my 1952 320 Straight 8, but when they converted to insert main bearings in 1948, the also dropped the manual transmission.

Question: Will I need to find a crank from an early 320 (1937-1947) with babbited mains in order to have provision for a pilot bearing and a fly wheel?

The Bell Housing from a 1941 engine bolts on so this is not a problem, but if I need an early crank, can they be machined for insert bearings, or do they drop in?

Really would appreciate your help. By the way, a fly wheel does bolt up to the 1952 crank, but you have to counter sink and ream the bolt holes and this makes the flywheel less stable. I would not want a 35 lb fly wheel blowing up when I take the engine up to 2500 RPM!!

Thanks,

320Special