Ryan22

I'm looking for a 4 speed bellhousing for a 78-82 Camaro or Firebird with a 305.

Please clue me in as to the part #'s for these ?

I've searched online but haven't been able to find this info.

Thanks in advance.
Ryan22

jmd

iTrader: (4)

82 is different than 81 in part due to fork angle.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/prof...do=editprofile is where you can add detail about your vehicle which helps others help you.

4 speed conversions dot com is a somewhat handy site for reference.

bigal55

iTrader: (1)

Up through 81 uses a standard chevy bellhousing. There are 2 sizes, one for an 11 inch clutch and one for a 10 1/2 inch clutch. Flywheel and starter must match the clutch/bellhousing size. For a 10 1/2 inch clutch, the 403 is a common bellhousing. Google chevy bellhousing and you will get e load of information. And yes, the 82 and up "thirdgen" cars used a special bellhousing that rotated the transmission about 17 degrees to the drivers side for fitment and shifter position as these cars began using T5 transmissions that have the shifter mounted directly to the top of the tail shaft. HTH!

Ryan22

Thanks for the info guys. To give you a little more info on my end...I plan to put a T5 into a 1961 Corvette. The T5 I have came from a 90 Firebird. I want to use a mechanical clutch rather than hydraulic and am told that the aluminum 4 speed bellhousings used with the 305 engine in Camaro's & Firebirds from 78-82 will work well with the T5 and will align the shifter in the right location. Does the 305/4 speed combination use the smaller 153 tooth flywheel and 10.5" clutch ? If so then the 403 bellhousing is what i'll look for.

I have a bellhousing from an 83 camaro- the last year a mechanical clutch was used- but am told that with this bell the shifter will be angled toward the drivers seat rather than straight up.

bigal55

iTrader: (1)

For putting the T5 in the 61 vette, use the bellhousing from the 83 Camaro. You want the transmission rotated toward the drivers side the afore mentioned 17 degrees. This will position the shifter in approximately the original spot. The only minor problem is then you need to use a thirdgen shifter as the shifter is bent back the 17 degrees to place the shifter offset to the drivers side and vertical. There are some very nice aftermarket shifters for thirdgens that would work very well in the vette.
To answer your question about the flywheel/clutch size, all thirdgens used the smaller 10 1/2 inch clutch setup. The 403 bellhousing places the transmission in the straight up position. That will put the shifter directly in the middle of the car between the driver and passenger seats. Older cars like the vette, nova, chevelle and 1st and 2nd gen Camaros used 3 and 4 speed transmissions with the shifter mounted to the driver side of the tail shaft. This setup offset the shifter toward the driver about 4 inches. Using a T5 and the Camaro bellhousing basically accomplishes this, just in a different way. HTH!

bigal55

iTrader: (1)

FYI, I mocked up a T5 in a 65 chevelle I have. I used a 403 bellhousing and it placed the shifter right on the centerline of the car. The floor pan had to be opened up to accommodate the shifter position. After sitting in the car and moving the shifter through the gears, I decided that the shifter needed to be offset toward the drivers side about 3 to 4 inches. I could get an offset handle to compensate but decided to get a thirdgen bellhousing that would rotate the transmission so the shifter would be positioned more toward the driver. Get a good Camaro shifter and it is all good. HTH!

Ryan22

BigAl- Thanks again for your help ! I'm glad to know the bellhousing I have will work.
Now just to hope the shifter lines up well enough so there won't have to be any cutting of fiberglass at the opening.

Happy Motoring-

jmd

iTrader: (4)

The fork angle will be different. A longer arm off the z-bar is part of the solution. You might find that part challenging. Or not.