10-1/2 inch or 11 inch Bellhousing?

[Chatt69chgr]

I need a bellhousing/flywheel/clutch for my 440/833  1969 charger.  I am trying to decide whether to go with a 10-1/2 inch or 11 inch bellhousing.  I have access to both.  No problem on the input bearing retainer diameter.  The one on my transmission is the 4.8 inch but has the small bearing so I can switch it to the 4.35 inch IBR if I want to according to Brewer's Performance.  Both bells are cast iron.  The 10-1/2 is 4.35 IBR.  The 11 inch is 4.8 IBR.  I am thinking with the clutches that can be bought now that it really doesn't make sense to go for the larger bell mainly due to costs of the flywheel----I didn't price clutches.  I looked at Hayes and they are the same price for both sizes ($279) and both SFI.  But 440 source has a 10-1/2 inch SFI 130 tooth for $139 I think it was----they don't sell a 11 inch flywheel.  Brewers gets $189 for both size flywheels.  I don't care about numbers matching.  So is there any other reason I shouldn't go with the 10-1/2 inch bell?  I have the smaller bell in the garage now and it's casting number is 2468372.  Thanks.

[resq302]

To my knowledge, the 10 1/2" bell housings were alluminum if I remember correctly.  Could be wrong but I know my 11" bell housing which is factory is cast iron.

[Chatt69chgr]

Prior to 1970 or so most were cast iron.  You can look at some of them on the Brewer Performance website.  The one I have in the garage is the cast iron version of the one they reproduced in aluminum with the 4.35 inch input bearing retainer.

[is_it_EVER_done?]

For a mildly beefed 440 that is seldom raced, either one will be fine, and I'd just use whatever is cheaper/easier, however if you plan on making good power in the future, you may as well go with the 11" from the start and avoid the hassle and cost of upgrading. Chargers are heavy and tough on clutches.

[Chryco Psycho]

using the 130 tooth flywheel you can still use the 10.95 clutch so the clutch is essentially the same with either set up

[Chatt69chgr]

I would like to use a diaphram style pressure plate and SFI approved steel flywheel for safety reasons.  My transmission has a 23 spline input shaft.  Should I use a 36 pound flywheel or a 30 pound one?  Assuming I go with a 11 inch bellhousing, what would be good economical choices for a pressure plate/clutch/flywheel?  It looks like Mcleod, Hays, Centerforce, and RAM make these products.  There are probably others.  I will probably never run this car down the strip but I can see some stoplight action occurring.  I am very easy on clutches.  I drove the last car I had with a staight shift for 100,000 miles and the clutch still had some usable surface on it when I replaced it just because I thought I ought to. 

[Chryco Psycho]

personally I would Never use a diaphrgm clutch I do use McLeod clutches & perfer the B&B/Long style  , an SFI flywheel is a good idea , 440 source has them for $130 , personally I like the heavier flywheels instead they carry more inertia & make the car easier to move off the line , in a light race car with optimal gearing the lighter flywheel would help

[Chatt69chgr]

Thanks for the response Chryco.  I would have thought that the diaphram style would have been an improvement over the Borg and Beck at least for street/mild strip applications.  I have heard that guys that go to the strip a lot do like the Borg and Beck Long Style (ford).

Mcleod has a 143 tooth flywheel (464202) 36# for $337.  They don't have any 11 inch clutches that are 23 spline--all 18.  They have 10.95 inch disc and pp in street or perf versions that do have the 23 spline.  Both are B&B.  Have to look up 383 application due to the 23 splines.

Hays only has 30# or 40# flywheel.  Their pp is B&B.  They do have a 23 spline 11-inch disc.  Kit is part no. 85-310.  Again, application is for 383 due to the 23 spline.

Centerforce has 36# flywheel (#700420) for $345.  Also have nice dual friction pp and clutch disc (23 spline) part number DF070800 for $314.  pp is diaphram type.  Also for 383 due to 23 spline.  The centerforce setup appears to be pretty good.  Does anyone have any experience with it?

One thing for sure------flywheels, pressure plates, and clutch discs are darned expensive.

[John_Kunkel]

I would have thought that the diaphram style would have been an improvement over the Borg and Beck at least for street/mild strip applications. 

It is. Everybody has their likes/dislikes but the diaphram will work just fine for you use.

[Chatt69chgr]

I decided to go with the 11 inch bell housing.  It is the correct casting number for my car and has the right 4.8 inch input bearing retainer hole.  Looks like pressure plates and clutch discs are about the same price whether 10-1/2 or 11 inch.  Flywheel is not too much different if you discount the 440source one.  Too bad 440source doesn't have a SFI 11 inch flywheel.     

[Chryco Psycho]

wuld be nice if they did have a 143 tooth flywheel