Would like to replace the bell crank on my 66 since I believe it is incorrect. The arm that the spring and the rod to the fork attach to is straight and does not have a hole to attach the spring. It is not like the arm with an offset and a hole for both the rode and the spring as illustrated in page 137 of the 66 AIM. Also my frame has a different type of Support BRACKETthat is welded to the frame (it is welded on top of the frame, and kind of u shaped), than the one shown in the AIM or for sale in various catalogs. All indications are car was originaly a 4 sp The 2LG, correct hole & clips for speedometer, orignal console brackets, hole in the tunnel, etc.

Recently I looked at quite a few 66 chevelle with 4 speeds. Some had the support brackets welded to the side and others had the style that I have. I only looked at car that apppeared to be original 4 speed cars. They had two different style of bell cranks. Regarding the arm that attaches to the clutch, Some had a straight arm that attached to the clutch (like the one illustrated in the AIM) and some had an arm with an offset (similar to the arm for the clutch fork rod and spring) . Those with the offset had a support bracket that was the same as mine, those with the support bracket welded to the side of the frame had the straight arm.

Are both correct? Is one correct for one style of welded support and one correct for the style?

Maybe your frame was replaced with a non-manual trans frame and someone just welded there own bellcrank bracket on the frame??

I have never seen a "factory" bracket welded to the top of the frame... Always the one that starts on the side... I know about 15+ years ago, I did this swap, and thats the way I had to do the bracket... Also used "used" console brackets as no repros available at that time...

Perhaps the bellcrank is also a repro, or a SB one or? The BB is different to clear the oil sender/line fitting. I modified a SB bellcrank to work on a BB, well before any repros were available.

But its hard to visualize the differences you are trying to explain. Pictures would be great...

Thanks for the information, haven't firgured out how to send photo's yet.

The vin # on the frame matches the vin # on door pillar which doesn't appear to have been switched, correct rivets, etc and everything on the cowl tag matches up, paint color, vinyl top, 2lg for 4 spd and console, deluxe belts, rear speaker, etc, correct holes and routing of speedometer cable, bucket seat interior & color, bucket seat brackets and console brackets correct and appear not to have been replaced, All original floor and trunk pans and rear quarters. So Iam almost positive it was a 4 Speed car. Considered the cowl tag could may have been switched ; but the hole and condition of the hole and location of screw holec for the trim ring in the tunnel seems to indicated it had to be either a 3 or 4 speed car. It does have a 1970 CE block if that makes a difference on the oil sending unit.

When first looking at the bracket I noticed the difference from the one in the AIM and though maybe it was made: butThere were 3 66 chevelles at the St Paul, MN Car Craft show the past weekend that had the exact same bracket welded to the frame as mine. All appeared to be orignal 4 spd cars, 2 from Kansas City, and one from Flint: but no way of checking to see if their frames came with the bodys. As far as the bracket welded to the frame, if hand made, mine would be much more difficult to make then the ones in the AIM that are also illustrated in the service manual. The one in my car is made such that the outerend that holds the bell crank is exactly in the same spot as the bracket in the AIM.So it appear that the illustrated bell cranks would work just fine.

The bell crank I have looks exacly like the one in the AIM or Service manual, except the arm that connects the rod to the clutch fork is straight without the offset in it and thus the rod to the clutch fork has been modified to work. The arm also does not have a hole for the spring from the arm to the clutch fork ( a different spring has been run from the fork to the frame. The Z bar return spring bracket is there; but not hooked up, the spring from the fork to the frame does that job. This must be an aftermarket or SB bell crank.

Let me try to better describe the bracket welded to the frame. Looking from the top you would see U shaped piece about 2" on a side with a slot cut out for the bell crank. The sides would make about a 120 degree angle with the side that holds the bell crank. The U shaped piece has a bottom that is part of the bracket. And looking from the front and back the sides of the U would be triangular pieces. It doesn't look homemade; but who knows. And the welding looks original.

To add to my confussion, on the 3 cars with similar frame brackets the arm on the bell crank had an offset. But maybe these could have been bell cranks from68-72. But don't think so.