slant bellhousings

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hosehead

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Hey all, forgive me if this has been asked before. I poked around a little and didn't find a definitive answer.
I have a 67 barracuda with a slant six three on the tree. I want to put a a833 four speed in it shifted on the floor(obviously).
The three speed bell housing is original to the car(67) and the a833 is a 67 or 68 a-body unit. The three speed is still in the car so I am not sure if it has the dual bolt pattern.
Does anyone know if the three speed bell will bolt up to the a833 without taking it apart to look?
Thanks in advance guys. I always appreciate the knowledge I get from here.
 
I would say that your 3 speed bell is a single pattern.
The cast iron slant 4 speed bell (64-66) would be your best choice.
Your 67-68 a body trans should bolt right up to this cast iron bell.
The aluminum OD slant bell uses the large input retainer and will require some effort to bolt the 67-68 a body 4 speed trans. You would need a special adapter ring around the retainer to make up the difference.
I would call Brewers and ask if they have the adapter ring you need.
There were quite a few input retainer diameters, so measure what you have and after you find the bell housing.
IMG_1785.JPG
IMG_1786.JPG
 
I'm pretty sure you can look at your bellhousing from under the car and tell if it has the dual bolt pattern, as two of the four speed bolt holes should be outside of where your three speed transmission bolts on.

But I agree that a 67 three speed bellhousing would be a single pattern. Also that a 64-5 cast iron slant six four speed bellhousing would be the easiest to install. Problem would be finding one.

Finally, the 64-5 slant six and 273 four speeds had a 3.09 low gear. Later ones had 2.66. I'm pretty sure your present three speed low gear has a 3-something low gear ratio, while the four speed you plan to use would have a 2.66 low gear. Gonna be noticeably slower off the line with the taller 2.66 ratio, as I discovered years ago when I replaced the original 4-speed in my 65 Barracuda with a later one. And that was with a good running 340. Went from being fast off the line to being a dog off the line. Then I found out that my original 3.09 low gear gearset would fit into the later case, and so made the switch.
 
Agree with all the above, and I will add this:
You say your 833 is a '67 or '68; figure out which it is. The '67 will have the small output spline (same as a 904, and I believe your 3 speed), unless it is from a 383 car (unlikely). The '68s (and '67 383 units) went to the larger (727) output diameter and spline.
You should be able to use your current driveshaft if the 833 is a '67, you'll have to change your slip yoke if it's a '68.
 
I would say that your 3 speed bell is a single pattern.
The cast iron slant 4 speed bell (64-66) would be your best choice.
Your 67-68 a body trans should bolt right up to this cast iron bell.
The aluminum OD slant bell uses the large input retainer and will require some effort to bolt the 67-68 a body 4 speed trans. You would need a special adapter ring around the retainer to make up the difference.
I would call Brewers and ask if they have the adapter ring you need.
There were quite a few input retainer diameters, so measure what you have and after you find the bell housing.
View attachment 1715823710 View attachment 1715823711
Thanks! I have a friend with the od bell. Is the adapter ring the only mod required to use this bell housing?
 
Thanks! I have a friend with the od bell. Is the adapter ring the only mod required to use this bell housing?
According to Brewer's:
Bellhousing cast #4202506 is for '81-'86 truck only.
#3743643 will fit A & F bodies, and '76-'80 trucks.
Find out which bell he has.
Both are listed to work with your 122 tooth flywheel.
 
According to Brewer's:
Bellhousing cast #4202506 is for '81-'86 truck only.
#3743643 will fit A & F bodies, and '76-'80 trucks.
Find out which bell he has.
Both are listed to work with your 122 tooth flywheel.
He's going to check the numbers but says its from a 84 truck.

F2D1B102-F04A-4A7C-83E1-31A50E4516D4.jpeg
 
Won't say you can't make it work, but the pics on Brewer's site make the pivot mountings look different between the two- probably a little creative engineering, and you'll be good. Compare it carefully to your existing bell, especially the linkage attachment points.
 
Thanks! I have a friend with the od bell. Is the adapter ring the only mod required to use this bell housing?
Did they not make slant 6s in 67 with 4 speeds ?

No, 66 was the last year you could get a four speed in a slant six A body until the overdrive four speed came out several years later.
 
Here is a side shot of slant 6 bell housings thru the years. Compliments of a member here that I stole it from.
 

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