Hemi aluminum bell housing - first year ?

When did Ma Mopar go to aluminum bellhousings - on Hemis.

How about on big blocks?

Any issues with them, cracking, etc.

1970. Yes I’ve seen cracks but not that common. Big blocks and hemi used same one in 70.

Thanks for the reply.

Most common crack is thru a bolt hole to the hole the clutch fork comes thru. Have seen a few but not common, and its usually thru the starter bolt hole, so maybe overtightened, or crossthreaded who knows.

be sure to use a steel inspection cover, it gives rigidity to the bellhousing

Personal experience using aluminum bell housing, back in the day, I felt, the inspection cover off, or lost it, the fly wheel picked up a rock that put a big hole in the top of the bell housing.

Unless you're trying to lighten the car, I personally don't like the aluminum bellhousings. The one I ran for about 3-4 months cracked big time from street racing. Tony's idea of running a steel inspection cover sounds like a good one if you plan to run one.

It’s an original car so I want to retain the originality.

And yes, the presence of an inspection cover definitely adds rigidity to the bell.

Then aluminum it is!