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Modify 67 bellhousing retainer hole to accept 68 A833 4 speed trans

Dean Prevolos

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Has anyone ever increased the size of the retainer hole on a 67 A833 trans #2780512 to accept a 68 A833 4speed that has the larger diameter retainer? I have my 67 Hemi with the 172 tooth flywheel and the correct A833 bellhousing #2785012, 3.834" diameter retaining hole. The transmission I have is a 68 4 speed A833 which has a larger retainer, 4.494". I thought I could use a 68 Bellhousing, with a standard starter but that won't work with my 172 tooth flywheel, which requires the direct drive starter, which I also have. See photos any input is appreciated.

68 A833 Transmission retainer.jpg 2780512 bellhousing retainer hole.jpg Direct drive starter gear position on 67 Bellhousing 2780512.jpg Direct drive starter on 67 Bellhousing 2780512.jpg
 
Cutting that 66-67 hemi only bellhousing is a silly thought. Worth lots of money $$$$. I would recommend getting the correct transmission for the car and bellhousing.
 
Cutting that 66-67 hemi only bellhousing is a silly thought. Worth lots of money $$$$. I would recommend getting the correct transmission for the car and bellhousing.
I agree with you. I have the correct bellhousing just need a correct 67 A833 transmission. I also contacted Brewar's transmission regarding a 67 Transmission. I will be calling suppliers to find the correct transmission.
 
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I did that mod years ago on a small block bell housing. Honestly, all I did was ruin the bell housing. You have to get it perfectly bored on center. I did not know it at the time but all I had to do was just replace the bearing retainer and it would fit. I would not bore it out. You have a valuable bell housing there in that 66-67 piece.
It’s not that easy in your case, but you can fix it and save the machining on the bell housing. I’d get a 66-67 case with the smaller 307 bearing. That’s correct for you car. They are easy to find. Just swap out the front case. It probably needs seals and synchros anyway. Brewers performance has cases.
 
I did that mod years ago on a small block bell housing. Honestly, all I did was ruin the bell housing. You have to get it perfectly bored on center. I did not know it at the time but all I had to do was just replace the bearing retainer and it would fit. I would not bore it out. You have a valuable bell housing there in that 66-67 piece.
It’s not that easy in your case, but you can fix it and save the machining on the bell housing. I’d get a 66-67 case with the smaller 307 bearing. That’s correct for you car. They are easy to find. Just swap out the front case. It probably needs seals and synchros anyway. Brewers performance has cases.

That is why I asked the question. I was planning on calling brewars today, thanks. I have sent Brewars an email asking if he has just the retainer he can sell me, for the very reason you bring up, just chnage the retainer. Thanks for your response, much appreciated.
 
Glad you asked first. The 68 has the bigger bearing so you have to change the case. It’s not that hard with a good pair of snap ring pliers. If the synchros are good then you don’t even need to take the mainshaft apart. The hardest part would be to get the reverse idler shaft out. Look in your service manual for help.
 
Well, the bearing would need pressing on and off. I forget I have all the tools and most don’t.
 
Glad you asked first. The 68 has the bigger bearing so you have to change the case. It’s not that hard with a good pair of snap ring pliers. If the synchros are good then you don’t even need to take the mainshaft apart. The hardest part would be to get the reverse idler shaft out. Look in your service manual for help.
Thank you. for the response.
 
Brewar's says that yes the retainer hole can be machined as there is enough room. In the alternative Brewar recommended the same as Fastmark, change the case to a 307 and use the smaller 307 bearing. But my trans book says I need the 308 for my 18 spline? Need some clarification on the case number for the Hemi 18 spline setup.
 
Brewar's says that yes the retainer hole can be machined as there is enough room. In the alternative Brewar recommended the same as Fastmark, change the case to a 307 and use the smaller 307 bearing. But my trans book says I need the 308 for my 18 spline? Need some clarification on the case number for the Hemi 18 spline setup.
 
If you also have a 68 bellhousing. What about just getting a 143 youth flywheel and a newer mini starter.
 
Good thread - I wasn’t aware of a bearing and case change from 67 to 68. I have a 68 Hemi block in my 66 and the direct drive starter on it - guess I better check the numbers on the bellhousing and trans case to see exactly what I have.

I think it would be pretty risky trying to machine the bellhousing unless it was a really good shop with precision equipment and a good set up. If out only a little off set dowels might take care of it but if out over, say maybe .02 ”, might be a complete loss.
 
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You had a problem with short starter wire, right? Any plans on that. You have plenty to do, wouldn't cut Bell housing. If somebody wanted to use it on 66/67 later a spacer would take care of that.
 
A 307 bearing will work with the 18 spline input shaft. That is what the factory did in 66-67. Change the case, as stated above. It is the cheapest and best route.
 
Have you checked with Jamie Passon? He may have a 67 trans, then you wouldn't have to do any modifications.
 
Have you checked with Jamie Passon? He may have a 67 trans, then you wouldn't have to do any modifications.

I called Jamie Passon yesterday and he sold me what I need to make the changes using the 18 spline shaft/gears from my 68 transmission, so it will fit onto my 67 bellhousing with the 172 tooth flywheel.
Parts are the 307 case, bearing snap ring, retainer and correct throw out bearing. The 172 tooth flywheel is thicker than the 143 and requires a shorter throw out bearing. I have spent almost a year looking for the correct throw-out bearing for that very reason. I have bought multiple throw out bearings and returned for being the wrong size. Finally my luck yesterday was Jamie had a cancellation on a build and had the correct throw-out bearing for my build. Now the drivetrain will all be correct. Then I will have a 68 bellhousing to sell, a few new throw-out bearings and a correct 68 trans case for the next guy. Thanks to everyone for pointing me in the right direction.
 
You had a problem with short starter wire, right? Any plans on that. You have plenty to do, wouldn't cut Bell housing. If somebody wanted to use it on 66/67 later a spacer would take care of that.

Fran, I don't recall where I heard that a spacer was available but I didn't quite undertsnad how that would work? My current 68 trans retainer is wider than the 67 bellhousing retainer hole, so how does a spcer work in that situation?
 
I called Jamie Passon yesterday and he sold me what I need to make the changes using the 18 spline shaft/gears from my 68 transmission, so it will fit onto my 67 bellhousing with the 172 tooth flywheel.
Parts are the 307 case, bearing snap ring, retainer and correct throw out bearing. The 172 tooth flywheel is thicker than the 143 and requires a shorter throw out bearing. I have spent almost a year looking for the correct throw-out bearing for that very reason. I have bought multiple throw out bearings and returned for being the wrong size. Finally my luck yesterday was Jamie had a cancellation on a build and had the correct throw-out bearing for my build. Now the drivetrain will all be correct. Then I will have a 68 bellhousing to sell, a few new throw-out bearings and a correct 68 trans case for the next guy. Thanks to everyone for pointing me in the right direction.
Good to hear that everything worked out. That's kind of the same way I ended up buying from Jamie. I needed an 18 spline trans so I called Brewers like normal. They told me they had a 12 month backlog. Called Jamie and he had a couple of 1969's in stock and ready to go. Had it in about a week. I've been using him more ever since.
 
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