Bellhousing question

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Moparvinson

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I am building a 67 dart 273 3 speed. Tranny was gone when I got the car but pedals are still there so want to stay standard . I was told any small block bellhouse would work, car or truck .Is this true? Thanks
 
I don't think that's true. Possibly you could make anything work LOL but wait for someone who knows. But if you thinking about buying something at this very minute I would hold off till you get a confirmation.
 
Moparvinson said:
I am building a 67 dart 273 3 speed. Tranny was gone when I got the car but pedals are still there so want to stay standard . I was told any small block bellhouse would work, car or truck .Is this true? Thanks
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Car bell housing is different that the truck bell housing. depending on the truck they used entirely different transmissions in some years/models. not to mention differences in bearing retainers and other parts.
 
Stick with a car bell housing; a truck housing has a larger register opening, and is generally larger over all which could cause tunnel clearance problems.......

FYI, original bell housing for that car is cast iron.
 
Moparvinson said:
Ok .thanks for the info. Is there any difference between years for car bellhousings besides date codrs?
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Some times. Bearing retainer size is the biggest difference.
 
Moparvinson said:
Ok .thanks for the info. Is there any difference between years for car bellhousings besides date codrs?
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Yes, there are 3 different retainer diameters, 4.354 inches (most common ), 4.807 inches (OD 4 spd diameter 1975 model year), 5.125 inches ( OD 4 spd diameter) info from the MP chassis book
 
I believe 3 speed bell has different bolt pattern (and maybe center hole) than A833 4 speed. Original 273 used tiny clutch. Make certian the engine you are installing has a crank that will accept a pilot AND IS DRILLED deep enough for the pilot shaft
 
a 1967-1975 a body tranny will work. my 1970 340 aluminum bellhousin was drilled for a 3 speed and 4 speed. 1970 and earlier had the ball and detent sidecover. 1970+ had the scissor/interlock sidecover . no big diff
 
The 1967 273 3-speed used a small 9 1/4" clutch. The bigger engines used a more standard 10 1/2 inch clutch which is what most V8 cars used in the later years. The smaller clutch used a 122 tooth flywheel with a smaller bell and release fork. If you put this back the way it was, you will need to find all these parts. I have a 1967 Barracuda with the small clutch and parts are getting difficult to find. It is much easier to find parts for the more standard 10 1/2 inch clutch. I don't think you would have a problem going to a 10 1/2 inch clutch in your car. You will need a 13o tooth flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disk and release fork. Everything else should be the same.
 
The 67-68 3-speed bellhousing casting number is 2780902. It uses the 122 tooth flywheel and 9 1/2" clutch kit. You can also use a 10" scalloped pressure plate kit with this flywheel. Brewer Performance sells them. You might have a hard time finding a 3-speed shifter for this project.

If you go the 10 1/2 in clutch route, you'll also need a new z-bar, bellhousing ball stud and ball stud bracket to match the bellhousing, and possibly the clutch fork pivot bracket that's inside the bellhousing.

Again, Brewer would be a good source for these parts.
 
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