Now that I have a starter that should work, the bellhousing will not fit over the flywheel. The opening of the bellhousing measures 14.25 inches. I have the 11 inch clutch, and the best I can measure the flywheel with the clutch mounted it looks like 14.5 inches. Are there two sizes of bellhousings for the 10.5 and 11 inch clutch? I have never had so much trouble with stuff like this before. I am wondering if someone sold me the wrong bellhousing. Again, any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Greg

Check the casting numbers and compare to one of the old posts, you may very well have the wrong part. You can run a search, there's a lot of info in the archives. smile.gif

Thank you very much T-Man. Your post got me digging to find the receipt from buying the flywheel. I have the 168 tooth flywheel with 11 inch clutch, which calls for the "621" bellhousing. I have the "403" bellhousing for the 153 tooth flywheel and 10.5 inch clutch. Man, I wish I would have known it made a difference when I bought the bellhousing. Oh well, lesson learned on doing homework I guess.

Thanks for the info.
Greg

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I had know that from your original post! Dumb ole me, I just assemed that you had the big bell housing and needed the correct starter nose.
Yes, as you have learned, there are TWO different sizes of bell housings. Either will physically bolt to your engine and will work, BUT, as you now know, you must also have the corrosponding size flywheel.
I have posted this info numerous times here and I'll post it here again.
With the 13in flywheel (153 teeth), you need the small housing and the 10 1/2in clutch. The bigger 14in flywheel (168 teeth) uses the 11in clutch and requires the bigger housing (there are AT LEAST 3 casting numbers for the big housing). With the big housing, you MUST use a starter with the cast iron nose (the alum nose won't fit into the bulge).
To IMMEDIATELY tell a big from a small housing, look at the sides of the housing. BOTH sides of the small housing are straight. The big housing has the bulge for the starter nose sticking out about 1in from the side. BE CAREFUL AND DON'T GET A TRUCK HOUSING!!!!!!! The center hole of the truck housing is too big for the front retainer of the tranny, and the tranny won't be properly centered. Even though the truck housing is a big housing, it is easily identified because the bottom of a truck housing has a flat, curved section which prodrudes below the rounded contour of the lower part of the housing (someone once posted some EXCELLENT pictures of the difference between the housings, but I don't know where they are). You shouldn't have to give an arm and a leg for a housing. I have picked up several at swap meets for $25-45. Last year at CB02, there was a guy in the swap meet asking $150!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think it ever sold.

Hey, if you can't use that bellhousing, I'll buy it from you. I need one for a 10.5" clutch.
Shoot me an email if you don't need it. tim_garvin@udlp.com
Tim

Tim G-- You have mail.

DZ Auto - wish I had known about the truck housing being bad for the alignment. I have been running my muncie behind that bellhousing since I bought the tranny in '89. First in the truck the housing came from, and then in my Chevelle when I converted it from auto to a stick. I just got an 11" housing on E-Bay as I am stationed (in the Army) where I dont know many places or people to get one locally. I got it for $82 plus $10 shipping. The "621" bellhousing is getting more and more popular (read expensive). Thanks you guys for all your replies and help. As always, this group is the BEST, and always there when someone needs you.

Thanks again.

Greg