4-Speed Bell Housing Question

[Chip Beck]

There are 2 correct bell housing casting numbers for Novas. 3849309 is one, and the other is 3788383 that has a small dia. pilot hole. Are the different bell housings for different transmissions? Thanks for your help.

[bartsl79]

I was told the 309 is for a muncie and the other was for
a 3-speed or a Saginaw, I could be wrong though.
I have a Munce M21 and a 309 in my car.

Tom

[sevent2ss]

;) Best I know is that it has more to do with the size of the clutch and flywheel combination than the transmission. One is for the 11" clutch (most earlier performance options - i.e. "4 speed") and the other is for 10.5" and smaller clutches ("3 speed/low h.p.). The GM Parts & Service catalog says something like "all w/11" clutch". The hard part is figuring out just what cars got the 11" (if your restoring).:

[John65ss]

One is for the 11" clutch (most earlier performance options - i.e. "4 speed") and the other is for 10.5" and smaller clutches ("3 speed/low h.p.).


Not true with 62-67 CII bellhousings. They are all for a 10.5" clutch.

The 383 is a 62-63 part, and it has a smaller pilot hole than the 309. As I understand it, this bellhousing can only be used with the early (Pre-64) transmissions that have a smaller bearing retainer.

309 bell is the one you want. I have heard of people machning the 383 larger to fit the Muncie / ST10 bearing retainers.

[BOGIE]

The 383 housing is for 3-spd trannies, I believe for 6cyl as well as the v8's. The 309 is for the 4spd. The 383 can be machined larger to accommodate the 4-spds. I just hate the guys thay e-bay the 383's and say they are for a 4-spd!! I always tell them they are wrong, but only once rec'd a thanx !!!!!!

Bogie

[chevy2inreno]

John65ss,

You're right on with the bellhousing info. 1962-63 L4 and L6 used the 383 bell housing while 1964-1967 L4, L6 and V-8 used the 309 bellhousing. The clutch arm location is the same on both styles but the 383 has the smaller bearing retainer hole.