How durable are bellhousing adapters???

[moose]

My current situation has left me with a rebuilt BOP TH400 installed in an '85 Cutlass with a non-running 307, and a freshly built 383 in a '79 Monte with a Highway title. It seems logical to drop the 383 into my Cutty with the help of an adpater plate. I know people use them all the time in street and race cars, but a few mechanics I talked to said they don't trust them.

So my questions are;
How long will an adapter hold up on a serious street car?
Is there a certain brand known to be junk? Or are they all machined from the same grade metal?

 

[Oldstech]

Here you go Bro

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRD-0060/

I have the reverse of this adapter for a BOP engine to a Chevy transmission. Its 1/4 steel adapter. VERY good quality. I never heard of any issue with adapters.

 

[moose]

Thanks Oldstech, I was looking at the same adapter. 😀

I hate how some mechanics have a know it all attitude and make me second guess my knowledge. I was once inquiring about putting in some Z-series Autometer gauges and the guy immediately put me down saying that he "never buys anything lower than the SportComps." So I call up Autometer and confirm that they're all the same internally.

 

[supercrackerbox]

Being sandwiched between the block and transmission, and sharing all but two of the same holes anyway, I don't see how it could possibly fail as long as the bolts are tight. Do remember to space your torque converter accordingly though.

 

[Mike P]

The adaptor plate itself would not concern me to much as long as it’s flat and the holes are in the proper places.

What would concern me are the attaching bolts and spacers used to attach the flex plate to the convertor and space it back into the pump. As long as these are of good quality and the holes have not been elongated in the flex plate it will probably give you good service. I would check the bolts on occasion to make sure nothing loosens up.

 

[Oldstech]

Whats awesome about the adapter kit I posted. It comes with everything. Even the hardware to correctly space the torque converter

 

[moose]

Thanks guys

Mike...that El Monte is a hellatious creation, I love it!

 

[olds307 and 403]

I have one on the 4x4. I got 6 bolts in it total. I could have put in 8 with reduced head bolts. Olds to sbc pattern in this case. No problems on a mild 350. You might need longer converter bolts, I needed them.