The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am changing my 72 E body from Auto to 4 speed and finding it difficult to get info on the Bell housing.
The motor is a B-block 383 and I am using a 833 four speed. I have decided to use an 11" clutch assy and have purchased a 11" Bell I think from a truck, date coded 1977. the Bell has a 5.12" Bearing retainer. I had planned to use a spacer ring to offset the mismatch as the 833 has a 4.8" Bearing retainer. Take a look at my pics as I think the set up will not work.
Is the 11" Bell housing for the B-block, 4 speed E-body unique for that application only?
Cheers

Good on yer mate, a man after my own heart, and Eddies, but probably no one elses

The only draw back I see there is the truck housings are sometimes cast iron and are 3 times the weight of the alloy ones, try and get an E or 71 on B housing if you can, but thats no guarantee of the retainer sizes matching.

Phone or e-mail Brewers or Passon and ask some tech advice, they are always willing to help convert auto angels to the darkside

I changed my own 72 from a 727 to an 833 years ago and although it was'nt easy to get parts it was easy to fab my own linkeage etc, even managed to make an early trans work in my car with a short tailhousing extension.

You'll love it when its done, promise

Adrian Worman wrote:they are always willing to help convert auto angels to the darkside

Adrian Worman wrote:they are always willing to help convert auto angels to the darkside

I've been going the other route recently myself...
I just dropped engine and manuel trans on sunday, and this trans won't go back in.

fbernard wrote:

Adrian Worman wrote:they are always willing to help convert auto angels to the darkside

I've been going the other route recently myself...
I just dropped engine and manuel trans on sunday, and this trans won't go back in.

Ahh....... is that the Tremec your removing to make way for that paddle shift auto box?

fbernard wrote:and this trans won't go back in.

Why?

Adrian Worman wrote:Ahh....... is that the Tremec your removing to make way for that paddle shift auto box?

I inquired about the torque capacity of the TCI 6-speed auto (not enough, just like the Tremec, which needs a rebuild), and I finally settled on the tried and true. Next trans is a "ProStreet" rebuilt TorqueFlite from Cope Racing Transmissions, with a Gear Vendors overdrive.
I'm going back to a drag racing configuration for a while.

The Tremec did not like drag racing, my guess is the input bearing is shot. I hope that's all.

xbrit wrote:I am changing my 72 E body from Auto to 4 speed and finding it difficult to get info on the Bell housing.
The motor is a B-block 383 and I am using a 833 four speed. I have decided to use an 11" clutch assy and have purchased a 11" Bell I think from a truck, date coded 1977. the Bell has a 5.12" Bearing retainer. I had planned to use a spacer ring to offset the mismatch as the 833 has a 4.8" Bearing retainer. Take a look at my pics as I think the set up will not work.
Is the 11" Bell housing for the B-block, 4 speed E-body unique for that application only?
Cheers

The attachment clutch setup 003.JPG is no longer available

I am not 100% sure about what the issue is. It feels like this scan might give you some advice. Does it answer any of your questions?

Thanks for the scan I am collecting all info.. I have just ordered a correct Bell from Brewers. I will document the differences for futur referance. Its a mind field trying to do this swap, but the good news is I have gathered loads of parts.
We may be living back in the UK, how are you guys finding parts??
Cheers.

xbrit wrote:We may be living back in the UK, how are you guys finding parts??
Cheers.

Best to join the Mopar club here as there are a lot of used parts stockpiled by members. Adrian here has most of them.

Gents... finished my 4 speed swap.
I now have a complete auto/floor slap-stick soon for sale.
Check out my finished pic.
Cheers,

Yeah that's better