Previous owner of my 70 Malibu, put in a 1986 350 sbc/700r4 trans. He left off the flywheel cover/inspection plate.

I am looking for one to put back on. Which years are the same? Is it a flat piece (generally) that just bolts on lower front of trans?

I hate digging for parts when you don't know what it looks like. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

Anyone have a guess to WHY it was left off? Oh, can I tell what kind of stall the converter is looking under there?

I think the previous owner "had" someone else do the swap, and I don't think he really kept track of that stuff. I already found a few things that he said, "they were always like that", that were related in one way or the other to the engine/trans/disc brake swap.

Hope someone can help. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
By the way, the car rocks and stops on a dime (now anyways)!!!

DG,
You should be able to get the cover at your local Chevy dealer for less than $20. It is a formed sheet metal piece that bolts to the front of the trans.
Bill

DG;

As Bill said, go by the Chevy dealer.

One word of caution though, due there being several different starters, the opening may be too small. Don't be worried, it's a simple matter to cut the opening bigger with tin snips. (take a file to any sharp edges) I ended up having to do this to the cover that I got for my th350.

Wes.

Are you saying the starter bolts thru the cover Wes? I have headers that make it a tight fit (for the starter). Maybe thats why it's off.
DG

[This message has been edited by DG (edited 09-23-98).]

The cover for a 350 transmission works fine. A junque yard will have hundreds. rick

I have been told that experienced hi-perf engine builders leave the trans cover off the 700-r4's because of its inherant cooling problem. Leaving the cover off allows the trans to run cooler. I seem to remember this from a 'bench recing' comment so don't hold me to it.

Ok, I might go with the "engine builder" thing, sincw the guy who built the motor was a dirt racer/spped shop guy. The 350 sb in this car screams, but it still has the stock non-posi 2.73 rear. Previous owner ran outta $$. Hence, that's where I came in......
Thanks