Manal transmission Probleme. Help needed

[86judge]

I converted my 86 cutlass to a manual trans. using the 78 bellhousing. I've been running a 383 infront of it with a 10" clutch (153 tooth) now I'm gonna run a sb400 which only has the staggered starter pattern for the 11" clutch (168 tooth). Now I've been told the bigger flywheel doesn't fit in the bellhousing. The only thing I can think of is get a bigger bellhousing and relocate the pivot ball ? Any solution ideas would be appreciated

 

[jetsetw31]

From what I remember, the Bell housing is the same for both flywheels. The difference in bell housings is the clutch not the flywheel. It's close with the 168 tooth but it should work as long as you are using a 10 1/2 in clutch. The 11in clutch will not fit in the passenger car bell housing. I recall the casting numbers on the late bell housings ended with 697. If that is your casting number then your good.

Side note, you will need a staggered bolt starter with a cast iron nose because the aluminum nose won't fit the bell housing. Or just get the 400 drilled for the straight holes and use a mini starter that has settings for both flywheels.
I hope this helps.
T

 

[86judge]

Thanks that helps a lot. I have a few starters laying around ill c if they have a cast iron nose. Trying not to drill the block. Although I have a mini starter. Do you bolt up the straight bolt pattern starter, square it up and use it as a guid

 

[jetsetw31]

Do you bolt up the straight bolt pattern starter, square it up and use it as a guid

You could do that if you had a long drill bit. Other wise use a starter shim from a straight starter.