Besides it looking nicer, what are the other benefits of painting your bellhousing? I'm not so much concerned about the outside, but I suppose protection of the aluminum inside is the main reason for painting? Should it be painted and what would happen if I didn't?

The iron one will just turn brown with rust, and the aluminum ones will just be dull grey (they do get kind of protected by the oil from valve cover leaks, oil changes, road grime...). If the aluminum bell sits out in the elements (i.e. not sheltered under your car, installed) then it corrodes with a white powdery aluminum oxide dusting.

I've seen some bells in late cars that were painted the same 'blue' color as the engine, in other cases I've seen them just left plain with no color. I would suppose you could also get away with just buffing it up a bit then painting it with a clear coating too.

-D.Idiot

I sandblasted my housing when I had the transmission out to make it nice and clean. I then painted it with a good clear coat to preseve the aluminum finish and prevent oxidation. I did paint the pan gloss black.

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70 Valiant Super Six