8-71 gear case cover for auto trans

[Larry B]

I presently have an 8-71 with standard trans. I have been thinking about an auto trans. some day in future .A week ago meet a person with a bus who claims to have a spare gear case cover (for sale) for an auto trans. Are these had to find would now be a good time to buy? I do not know how to tell a manual from an auto gear case  cover. Give some help on how to tell them apart. Are there some stamp no's , a meassurement at bell housing end?  thickness ? number of bolt holes?  I only meet this person a week ago would feel better if I knew I am getting what he claims before giving cash.Thanks
         Larry B

[luvrbus]

The 5 has a SAE 1 bell housing with a manual transmission,you can only install a 600 series with a 8v71 it takes the SAE 2 bell housing but you don't need to change the bell housing just use the drop ring it goes from sae 1 to sae 2 without all the work.

The sae 1 bell housing has 22 bolts and 22 inches in dia the sae 2 is 20 inches in dia with 20 bolts check the air compressor location on the bell housing he is trying to sell you MCI does not use the standard DD bell housing

good luck 

[Larry B]

Thank-you for the info Clifford, as always you are an unbelievable amount of knowledge. The ring will definately be a lot less work. Also as I do not have any oil leaks among all that bolt up stuff to allow for a change out of a timing gear cover case I would be best to leave well enough alone. 
         Larry B

[MC8Mike]

I'm a little confused on the SAE 1 flywheel housing being discusse here, I have one off of a 8V92 truck engine that I believe is SAE #1, at least what I get out of the parts book, it has 24 bolts and measures 20 1/8" id.  Or 20 7/8 bolt circle, however you want to look at it.

[luvrbus]

That is sae 1 bolt pattern depends if it a aluminum or cast iron on the outside dia there is a lot variations for bell housing with sae 1 or sae 2   

I know the 8v92 in the shop has 22 bolts a cast iron model deep depth then I have 8v71 with a sae 2 for the road ranger transmissions