Starter bellhousing clearance

[79Vette]

I have a m1009 with a sm465 that keeps eating pilot bushings, and I think the bellhousing might be slightly bent and contributing to the problem. I would like to replace with a new bellhousing but am having a hard time finding the right one.

I currently have GM 6263756 which has the right size opening for my 28MT starter. I bought a new "6.2 diesel" bellhousing from Novak but the starter hole is way too small. Their suggestion is to use a 6.5 diesel starter without a nosecone, but I'm not sure where to find one of those in a 24v version.

Those if you with manual transmissions, what bellhousing/starter combo are you using? Neither Advanced Adapters nor Novak seems to offer the correct bellhousing and I prefer not to go used, since that's how I got my current problems. Is there such a thing as a 24v starter without a nosecone that will fit the small bellhousing hole?

 

[Barrman]

The 465 came from the factory with the 6.2 and the 27MT starter. Does the bell housing go over the located pins ok? If so since those pins don’t have very much clearance, how about your input shaft bearing?

 

[Barrman]

Oh, I don’t have a 465 behind a 6.2. I do have a NV4500 behind one. But, your 465 won’t bolt to that.

 

[79Vette]

Yep, the 465 came from the factory paired with the 465. My 6263756 bellhousing is (one of) the right one, but it's bent and I can seem to find anyone who makes a replacement bellhousing for the 6.2

So it's either gamble on another used bellhousing which might also be bent, or see if there's a work around to get a starter with a smaller or no nosecone i think. Was just curious if anyone else has dealt with this before and had any suggestions

 

[Barrman]

Put a light layer of grease on the starter and put into position. Then see where it is contacting the bell housing by what transfers. Lightly grinding the greasy spot might get you the clearance you need.

However, the bent part of your description has me wondering if that is causing the pilot bearing destruction.

 

[79Vette]

Put a light layer of grease on the starter and put into position. Then see where it is contacting the bell housing by what transfers. Lightly grinding the greasy spot might get you the clearance you need.

However, the bent part of your description has me wondering if that is causing the pilot bearing destruction.

Yeah, my current bellhousing is bad. It fits over the starter just fine and I've run it for awhile, but I need to replace it with one that is not bent. I'm getting like 10k miles out of the pilot bushing before it's so torn up I start having problems shifting.

As far as I can tell nobody makes the diesel bellhousing new, so I need to buy a regular small block Chevy bellhousing for a 168 tooth flywheel and try to cut it to fit, or roll the dice on a other used one...

 

[87cr250r]

What grease are you using in the pilot bushing? Lithium grease are terrible for that application. A polyurea grease will do you better. The only polyurea grease I have found in the auto supply stores is Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty (green). You should be using this grease everywhere else on your truck. If you purchase from industrial supply houses there are a few other options. For a bushing, Mobile Polyrex EP2 or Chevron Black Pearl are good options.

 

[79Vette]

What grease are you using in the pilot bushing? Lithium grease are terrible for that application. A polyurea grease will do you better. The only polyurea grease I have found in the auto supply stores is Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty (green). You should be using this grease everywhere else on your truck. If you purchase from industrial supply houses there are a few other options. For a bushing, Mobile Polyrex EP2 or Chevron Black Pearl are good options.

I was always told to use a 20 or 30 wt non detergent oil for olite bushings. They are designed to be self lubricating and grease supposedly plugs the pores in the material and defeats the self lubricating effect. Idk