Clutch and bellhousing questions

[73-Charger-Canada]

Hi Guys,

the 440 rebuild is almost done! my question here relates to what clutch, clutch linkage and bell housing I will need to hook the motor up to my A833. First, the car is a 73 Charger. The motor is a mid 70s 440 and has the 10.5 flywheel. So, my options right now for bellhousing are a big block 10.5 reproduction from brewers, or a big block lakewood scattershield. That will depend on what I can find, and at what price. second, the clutch I'm thinking of is this one from McLeod.

http://www.summitracing.com/dom/parts/mcl-75109

The motor is a low compression street build 440, so I don't think I need more than the street clutch kit from Mcleod. Lastly, and the most confusing part, is which clutch linkage set do I need? It's a big block, but it's got the small flywheel and bell housing. The previous owner had a 360 small block in the car with the same trans, and I inherited all the clutch linkage he used with that set up when I bought the car. Will the small block linkage (ie actuator rod, z-bar, etc.) work with the rest of my set-up, or will I have to go ahead and get a full linkage set from brewers, passon, proformance etc.? any help is appreciated! thanks guys

[Troy]

Starting around 1970 everything got the smaller flywheel, clutch, and and bell.

Is your A833 a 23 spline? Assuming so if it were stock behind a small block (but you don't say if any of this was ever stock).

That's a diaphragm style pressure plate so you need to remove the overcenter spring from your clutch pedal (unless it was already removed for the small block clutch). Speaking of clutches, shouldn't the clutch and pressure plate be the same as the one you had on the small block? Small flywheel, 23 spline input, etc. Those aren't dependent on the actual bell housing. If yours is good I'd use it.

I am not 100% positive on the linkage. Brewer's lists different z-bars for small and big block for your year but the clutch rod and fork are listed by car (not application) and you should be able to reuse them. I'd call to confirm. All bets are off with the scattershield - although I assume it's a drop in replacement for the big block bell.

Troy

[73-Charger-Canada]

Good point, I should say that none of this is stock. In fact, the car was originally a slant 6 car with an auto! So, everything has been changed. Luckily for me, the previous owner did most of the work of swapping to a manual trans from the auto so the clutch pedal and connecting rod are there, and I've got most of the mechanical linkage to hook up the clutch. So when you say everything after 70 got the smaller flywheel, clutch etc. does that include the bell housing? I've got a bell housing, but I assumed because it was from a small block that it definitely wouldn't fit behind my 440. I will double check that tomorrow and see if it bolts up. that would be a huge money saver. I didn't get the 360 when he sold me the car, he put the motor in something else I guess, so I don't have the clutch that came on it. That doesn't bug me so much, I've heard great things about the McLeod unit, so I'm happy to go brand new with that. I think what I'll do is try and use the linkages that I have, and if I have to order one or two pieces to make it work, that's what I'll do. I'll probably start with a torque shaft (z-bar) service kit to have fresh washers, clips, etc. and see what I have to pick up from that point. I'll take pics and let everyone know what I find. any input is appreciated, and thanks for your help!

[Troy]

To be clear, the big block and small bock bell housings are different because of the mounting bolts - but the size of the flywheel would be the same. Chrysler was just trying to consolidate the number of parts so they standardized on the smaller assemblies.

Troy

[73-Charger-Canada]

Ok, excellent. this is all great to know. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding clutches? Would a stock replacement clutch be good for my application, or should I go with the McLeod (or even crazier, with a centerforce?) I'm not a cheap guy, just want to be realistic. My fiancee will also be driving the car, so I want something that she'll be comfortable using too, so no crazy pedal effort required. Let me know what you think, I'll also post the question to the charger discussion forum