4 spd conversion

[Regular Guy with an Elky]

So I’m collecting parts for a 1983 el Camino with a stock 305 engine automatic to 4spd manual conversion. I have the correct bell housing and clutch fork.
I just acquired the Saginaw three grove 4 spd transmission I wanted with the 3918794 shifter and 3710017 install kit.
The transmission also came with a cast iron bell housing (I don’t need) and a Barely used 11 inch clutch disk , pressure plate and fly wheel.
Can I use that clutch set up with my 492606 bell housing or should I get the 10.5 inch setup?
If the fly wheel is not 153 tooth ( I didn’t check yet) would I need to change the starter?

Thanks for any help

 

[clean8485]

I believe that the 492606 bellhousing will only work with a 10.5" clutch setup. If memory serves, there was a bellhousing from a '78 or '79 El Camino that was made for an 11" clutch, but it is rare, and hard to find.

 

[Regular Guy with an Elky]

I believe that the 492606 bellhousing will only work with a 10.5" clutch setup. If memory serves, there was a bellhousing from a '78 or '79 El Camino that was made for an 11" clutch, but it is rare, and hard to find.

So the 11 inch setup will not fit in the 606 housing, thanks for the info

 

[Ribbedroof]

No the 11 inch won’t go into that bell housing. A 10 1/2 inch clutch is plenty for most people to use. For the most part starters are all the same they just use a different nose for the two flywheel diameters

 

[pagrunt]

You want to run that 11" clutch, this is what will be the fix. The seller is a member here on the fourm.

G body 4 speed bellhousing 464697 for 11" clutch El Camino Malibu Monte Carlo | eBay

RARE! big bell housing from 78-79 El Camino with 350 4 speed. This is the correct bell housing with the lowered pivot ball position so you can use it in your 78-81 factory manual transmission A/G body cars. This allows using the big 168 tooth flywheel and 11 inch clutch. This unit needs to be...

www.ebay.com

You'll be able to find that Comp Plus shifter fairly easy but the install kit is long discontinued. Don't believe the venders claiming the Camaro/Nova clutch rod boot is a direct fit as the correct one is out of stock & the manufature has no time frame on when they'll be made again.

 

[Bonnewagon]

You want to run that 11" clutch,

I used to only use the 10.5" clutches. Then my 1977 TA used an 11" clutch. BIG difference. I since then also used an 11" clutch on my 455. Same smoother overall operation. I don't know why but that 1/2" makes a substantial difference.

 

[CopperNick]

153 is the tooth count on the small diameter flywheel; 168 is the big wheel. Each has a matching bellhousing. The large housing would accept the small flywheel but not vice versa. Been there tried that.

As for the clutch rods, this was a post on one of my threads a few months back but the stock rods wear and get sloppy fairly quickly, There is a vendor in Texas that sells a kit that uses rods machined and drilled for spherical rod ends. A lot smoother and easier on the pedal.

As for the Z-Bar, that can be had from OPGI but as they are a replica copy of the factory OEM they also come with the OEM version's problems and weaknesses. Think it was Bonnewagon who posted on how he re-inforced the one arm of his Bar using a large flat washer. I've posted pictures of mine recently from its build shots and what I did was to triangulate the arms using short sections of light angle iron, shaped and placed to fall at an angle from the tube to the arms, for each of them, then welded them in. Industrial to say the least and very probably overkill but those arms apparently will flex and bend so there you are.



Nick

 

[pagrunt]

I used to only use the 10.5" clutches. Then my 1977 TA used an 11" clutch. BIG difference. I since then also used an 11" clutch on my 455. Same smoother overall operation. I don't know why but that 1/2" makes a substantial difference.

In my '72 Monte I first had a 10.5" then switched to a 11" & noticed the extra weight more with the rev time of the 307 it had. Did have a bit better launch.