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Half ton truck OD bellhousing in a 65 dart?
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Author:  ski [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Half ton truck OD bellhousing in a 65 dart?
Any reason not to use an OD truck bell in a 65 A body? Did the 1/2 ton truck use the same small flywheel? I'ts drilled for 3 & 4 speed xmsn so I'm thinking yes. I haven't found this answered directly using the forum search or google.

ski
Author:  fzmax [ Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:46 am ]
Post subject: 
I just did this on a 63 Valiant. I made a bracket to hold the 3-speed fork in the same position as it was since I didn't get the truck fork with the bellhousing. Same with the pivot bracket.

The truck bellhousing will also have the larger bearing retainer so if you're not using an OD transmission you'll need a spacer or a new bearing retainer.
Author:  Dart270 [ Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:31 am ]
Post subject: 
I think clutch linkage is the only possible issue spot, as fzmax has said.

Lou
Author:  ski [ Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:53 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks guys, I can see I'll have to modify the torque shaft (Z bar) some but other than that it seems like it will work. I was unsure if the starter was in a different location due to trucks possibly using a bigger flywheel. I have the truck throw out fork and was planning on using it with the bell.

ski
Author:  ski [ Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
fzmax, so you used the small fork from the original bell with the OD bell? I pulled the old xmsn & bell and put the OD bell in with the big fork and my original (but modified) z bar. I also put the z bar that came with the OD bell in. I can see how to make both forks work with either z bar but am still debating which route to take. Either way there will be minor work required on which ever z bar I use. I'm leaning towards using the big throw out fork. If I use the small fork I'll have to put the mounting bracket from the original bell on the OD bell. Not a big deal but another modification. I like the idea of the bigger fork. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

ski
Author:  fzmax [ Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes I used the original fork, mainly because I didn't get one with the OD bellhousing. This is the 3-speed bracket:

Image

This is the one that came with the 4-speed bellhousing that modified so I could use the small fork:

Image

As far as the Z-bar goes, I used the stock one unmodified, but I did have to make a bracket for the bellhousing. This is the stock 3-speed bracket:

Image

Here is the one I made for the 4-speed:

Image

After getting it all installed it wound up a little low so I made another one of which I didn't take a picture, but you get the idea.

The only other thing was that I had to bend a very small part of the seam near in the tunnel on the passenger side a slight amount for clearance.

HTH, good luck!
Author:  DonPal [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just finished using a 84 Truck 833OD bellhousing, fork & Z bar in my 65 Dart. The Dart got a 833 OD A body trans of 76 vintage. I used the truck Hurst shifter by shortening the lever.

I found the truck fork hit the torsion bar & had to shorten it.

The Truck Z bar length had to be shortened and a few holes drilled to accomodate the new insert bearing locations

One Z bar lever had to be relocated on the Z bar.

The truck Z bar is significantly stronger with greater wall thickness & lever crosssection. I was using the 10 inch truck clutch in the 65 Dart so loads on the Z bar are increased over a stock 65 clutch & pressure plate.

I had previously purchased a broken & welded 65 Dart Z bar used behind a stock clutch and it looked significantly weaker than the truck Z bar. I decided not to use a stock 65 Dart Z bar setup with the 10 inch clutch.

There were no problems bolting up the starter.

The 80's truck flywheel will not work since it doesn't fit the crank flange.
I ended up using an early truck flywheel

You will find that the crank does not have a pilot bearing; although it's drilled it's not finished reamed to size.

NAPA had a "problem" pilot bearing that I purchased that comes with a smaller OD to fit drilled but not honed cranks.
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