Bellhousings for GM small blocks

[BillNeugent]

I have an 85 GMC K15 w/standard trans. I broke the bellhousing the other day. It got me thinking about a motor swap. I can get a 2005 5.3L motor with everything. My question is the bellhousings different from a 85 to a 05. If so could I get a new style bellhousing and bolt it to my transmission. I know that I can put a 95 motor in the truck, but its the same price as the 05 motor. I was told that as long as I get a Hydrolic clutch bellhousing I should be able to bolt the 85 Trans to the 05 motor with no problem. I don't know that much about the new motors. Would it be better to also get a modern tranny/transfer case and put all three under my truck. I need new drive shafts anyway. The engine swap is not beyond my abilies. I just don't want to waste money on parts that will not work together. Any information would help a long way.

[J-Ri]

The biggest concern would be all the electrical stuff. You'll need a PCM for the 5.3, and all the wiring/sensors. On some vehicles, the engine won't even start if there is a bad/no signal from other computers (BCM, TCM, several others), so there is a chance you'd have to put in several modules that you can't even use. I think the 5.3 bellhousings are smaller in diameter then the old ones. You would also need a high pressure fuel pump.

If it were my truck, I would just replace the cracked bellhousing.

[BillNeugent]

I've decided that I'm gonna get the 95 motor and just rebuild it. Possibily stroke it and reuse the TBI that comes with the motor. Painless has a wiring harness for that year motor. I'm looking for reliablity. I've been in holes where the water is coming in the vechicle and the motor dies. Not because everything is wet, because the carb has flooded from being bounced around to much. I plan on putting 38.5 Super Swamper Boggers on it in the near future.

[J-Ri]

Good choice... especially if you're an offroader. Those electrical systems don't like water.

The "Truck Avenger" carburetor is supposedly the best made for offroading, that's going to be my next upgrade... after that, a snorkel. I've been in water so deep that I hydrolocked the engine. Took several jeeps to get me out with the engine dead.

[BillNeugent]

Not to be off topic but what would you prefer GM 14 or Dana 60 for the front axel. I have a 14 but I can get the Dana at a good price.

[J-Ri]

My choice would be the D44 with the D60 steering knuckles/u-joints. If something breaks up front, it's almost always a u-joint. I can't justify lowering my clearance by that much for something that I really don't need. And yes, I did "upgrade" my rear axle to the "rock catcher"... At least if I break the axleshaft getting off that rock, it's gonna stay in

My choice given only those two options would be the D60. There are lots more out there, which means more parts. I would also assume there are more lockers available for them.