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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 12:20 PM
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Default swapping transmissions

Building 1978 corvette ,have removed th350 and trying to install saginaw 4 speed.
Original disk was 168 teeth found 168 tooth flywheel but can not find the correct clutch/pressure plat
(no such thing?) Will a fat block clutch work?
Or is it possible to run sbc 153 tooth flywhell and adapt starter?
Thank All of you for any help you can give!
Steve
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 01:23 PM
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Keep the 168 tooth, don't forget the pilot bushing. You need the bellhousing that has the threaded hole for the 'Z' bar of the clutch- unless you are changing to hydraulics, the standard 11.5" clutch and pressure plate, the correct height clutch fork pivot ball, a clutch fork and required rods,along with pedal assembly among other things to switch it over.
You need to know how many teeth your input shaft of the transmission is in order to get the right clutch disc.

Good luck, it is a good learning experience, and 'so much fun' under the dash installing the pedals
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 01:30 PM
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Sorry, the 'Z' bar attaches on the block of the engine, not the bellhousing.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 01:32 PM
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what is the casting number on the bellhousing that you are using?

To use the 168 tooth flywheel, you will need an 11" bellhousing (it'll have a rounded "kick-out" for the starter to mount correctly.

Then, any 11" clutch disc kit with a 10 spline input should work (I think all Saginaw manuals were 10 spline--but I can be wrong)...

If you already have a bellhousing that is not for an 11"clutch, you will need to change to the smaller flywheel, and get a new starter (many aftermarkets come with dual mounting patterns for either 153 or 168 teeth)...as well as the appropriately sized clutch kit.

Last edited by keithl1967; Feb 18, 2018 at 01:33 PM.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by keithl1967
what is the casting number on the bellhousing that you are using?

To use the 168 tooth flywheel, you will need an 11" bellhousing (it'll have a rounded "kick-out" for the starter to mount correctly.

Then, any 11" clutch disc kit with a 10 spline input should work (I think all Saginaw manuals were 10 spline--but I can be wrong)...

If you already have a bellhousing that is not for an 11"clutch, you will need to change to the smaller flywheel, and get a new starter (many aftermarkets come with dual mounting patterns for either 153 or 168 teeth)...as well as the appropriately sized clutch kit.
Thanks Guys,
I have a 10 spline on the transmission And the bell housing number isgm 6263756 and looks like F5 below it.
The bell housing looks like it has a notch on the clutch side (for z bar mount? I will look for a 11 inch clutch and assume trhe plate will fit my bigger flywheel?
Thanks,
Steve
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 02:13 PM
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The "756" is a truck bell housing, if i recall correctly. That means that while it will house a 168 tooth flywheel and 11" clutch, the pilot hole is intended for a truck transmission, with a bearing retainer neck of 5 1/8"...Car transmissions have a neck of 4 5/8".

you will need either an adapter ring to make that bell housing work, or you will need a different bell housing altogether-I would recommend the latter.

If the parts are currently not in the car, try a "test fit of the bell to the trans and se eif it works...if the hole is too large, you will end up with transmissiont/clutch alignment issues and burn through parts like crazy.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by keithl1967
The "756" is a truck bell housing, if i recall correctly. That means that while it will house a 168 tooth flywheel and 11" clutch, the pilot hole is intended for a truck transmission, with a bearing retainer neck of 5 1/8"...Car transmissions have a neck of 4 5/8".

you will need either an adapter ring to make that bell housing work, or you will need a different bell housing altogether-I would recommend the latter.

If the parts are currently not in the car, try a "test fit of the bell to the trans and se eif it works...if the hole is too large, you will end up with transmissiont/clutch alignment issues and burn through parts like crazy.
Keith, Thanks so much for that .I would have realized too late
(if at all)This is a low budget build so I think I will look for the
ring to convert truck to car size.
I have an old chevy z bar pedals etc. which I think I can fabricate to
fit this bell housing. My pilot bearing, bell housing depth etc. seem to be okay. Had to modify transmission mount height.
But I think with your help this might work.
Thanks,
Steve
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 02:45 PM
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no problem--I do not have any experience with the adapter ring, only know that it allegedly exists. Also, read up on bell housing alignment also--it is important to the longevity of the build...
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by keithl1967
no problem--I do not have any experience with the adapter ring, only know that it allegedly exists. Also, read up on bell housing alignment also--it is important to the longevity of the build...
Found the ring adapter from Novak $43.00 included shipping.
Still looking for a ten spline 11 disc with 13 inch pressure plate .
Problem is I can not say what car it came ( 70 chevelle 454?)
Remember when the parts guy would go behind the counter
and find what you needed?
Thanks,
Steve
Guess I am old
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by steve78vette
Found the ring adapter from Novak $43.00 included shipping.
Still looking for a ten spline 11 disc with 13 inch pressure plate .
Problem is I can not say what car it came ( 70 chevelle 454?)
Remember when the parts guy would go behind the counter
and find what you needed?
Thanks,
Steve
Guess I am old
check summitracing.com
you do not necessarily need to shop by make model there...
depending upon what budget you are looking for, you shoudl be able to sort the clutch kits by make, input spline, and flywheek (or clutch disc0 size...

if you want to buy local, it will at least give you a starting point...
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by keithl1967
check summitracing.com
you do not necessarily need to shop by make model there...
depending upon what budget you are looking for, you shoudl be able to sort the clutch kits by make, input spline, and flywheek (or clutch disc0 size...

if you want to buy local, it will at least give you a starting point...
Thanks, Will do.
Steve
P.S. " I spied the enemy and they is us" PoGo
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 04:31 PM
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454 flywheel? You cannot use a 454 flywheel on a 350. Vibrate like crazy and tear up main bearings in the engine. Post the casting number of the flywheel you have.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
454 flywheel? You cannot use a 454 flywheel on a 350. Vibrate like crazy and tear up main bearings in the engine. Post the casting number of the flywheel you have.
Not sure what the flywheel is out of it is cheap after market
13.25 inch 168 tooth. Company is ATP Z-296 (M/T) flywheel.
Do not know what any of that means as far as balance.
I have a stock 350 motor (mild cam and headers) Low HP.
Thanks,
Steve
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