Transmission-bell housing question

[Lucchetti]

Recently I broke the Bell housing/ flywheel cover. I would like to replace the part but I don't know the size of my transmission. How do I figure this out OR how do I replace the old part without knowing the transmission size?

History-I just bought a 1968 c10 short bed. When the kid sold it to me he said it had a 283 engine, and that's about all I know. (I’m not even sure that is correct.) As you can tell I'm a little green at this but I do plan to learn my way around and get this truck rebuilt. I appreciate any help on the bell housing questions for now.....thanks

[PanelDeland]

You came to the right place for info.The 68 will have a bellhousing thatbolts to the frame on either side.IIRC all of them are the same.If you subscribe to the BB there are classifieds where you can look.I'm sure someone has a bellhousing that will fit.

BTW WELCOME to the besyt resource you will find for info on these trucks.

[Green Machine]

Be sure to check the size of the bearing retainer hole at the back of the bell, IIRC 67 and earlier was smaller and 68 up had the larger hole, someone here will remember the dimensions. Check the for sale thread, threre were two for sale on the same thread a few days ago, from the pics it kind of looked like one ws small hole and the other large hole.

['68OrangeSunshine]

'67 trucks with both 3-speed Saginaw and 4-speed SM420 used a bellhousing with a 4-9/16" diameter pilot bearing hole [GM p/n:3815891]. '68 [and later] 4-speed trucks used a bellhousing with a 5-1/8" opening [GM p/n:3925505].
Is it a 3-speed (shifter on column) or a 4-on-the floor? If it's a 4-on-the-floor, is Reverse to left [toward you] or right [away from you]? If to the left it's a 420, if to the right it's a 465.
The bell housing is the heavy cast iron part on top. The flywheel cover is the sheetmetal guard on the bottom. Don't lose it, they're hard to get now. Did both break?

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

'67 trucks with both 3-speed Saginaw and 4-speed SM420 used a bellhousing with a 4-9/16" diameter pilot bearing hole [GM p/n:3815891]. '68 [and later] 4-speed trucks used a bellhousing with a 5-1/8" opening [GM p/n:3925505].
Is it a 3-speed (shifter on column) or a 4-on-the floor? If it's a 4-on-the-floor, is Reverse to left [toward you] or right [away from you]? If to the left it's a 420, if to the right it's a 465.
The bell housing is the heavy cast iron part on top. The flywheel cover is the sheetmetal guard on the bottom. Don't lose it, they're hard to get now. Did both break?

The early truck & car bell are 4.684 dia hole(4 11/16). Try Jegs, & look up Lakewood bells, it gives dimentions). The 68 up truck has a 5.126 hole, so just a thought......if you are running a Saginaw 3 spd(7 bolt sidecover), you can swap the front bearing retainer tween the car or truck 3 spd trans(saginaw), & use either bell.......crazyL

[Lucchetti]

Awesom, thank you. It's a 3 speed on the column. The only part I broke was the bell housing--it was plastic.

[Longhorn Man]

can you provide a photo of what you broke? I'm thinking we have termanologymixed up here.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

The early truck & car bell are 4.684 dia hole(4 11/16). Try Jegs, & look up Lakewood bells, it gives dimentions). The 68 up truck has a 5.126 hole, so just a thought......if you are running a Saginaw 3 spd(7 bolt sidecover), you can swap the front bearing retainer tween the car or truck 3 spd trans(saginaw), & use either bell.......crazyL

My measurements were done in the field, not out of a book.
Does the post-'68 Saginaw have the larger 5-1/8" diameter?

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

My measurements were done in the field, not out of a book.
Does the post-'68 Saginaw have the larger 5-1/8" diameter?

I have also measured the bell in the "field"(with dial calipers)..... I run a 66 truck bell on my longhorn, fitted with a Richmond 6 speed(car style bearing retainer, & 26 spline input shaft), & it all fits the early truck bell The 68 up saginaws(truck), do have the 5 1/8" bearing retainer, but the retainer can be swapped tween the car or truck sag 3 spds, as well as the sag 4 spd. Im not sure what plastic pc is broken tho? L

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

I have also measured the bell in the "field"(with dial calipers)..... L

OK. I used a 25' tape measure. Real hi tech.