bell housing

[Charles M.]

Would someone please tell me the applications for bell housing #3755343? If it has many apps I just need to know if it was used for a 1964-1966 327cid, muncie 4-speed. Thank you.

[Donald L.]

Re: bell housing

64-67 C-2 small block used a #3858403 bellhousing. The 66-67 BB used a #3872444.

[Tom D.]

Bellhousing - C2 " 444 " date = 11?

Speaking of such things...

Was the one in the attached photo cast in 1965 or 1966? I assume 11 = Nov.

I did a search in some of the archives, but still looking there.

Thanks - Tom D.
#4889

[Mike M.]

Re: Bellhousing - C2 " 444 " date = 11?

the 444 bb bells weren't cast dated. i'm not sure what the 11 stands for . mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Bellhousing - C2 " 444 " date = 11?

Tom-----

As Mike says, there was no year date coding on these bellhousings. However, I believe that the "11" identifies the month (November) that it was cast and the single dot in the other hemisphere indicates the week of the month (first).

The '444' bellhousing was used for the 1966 model year for Corvettes, Chevelles, and, I think, full size passenger cars with big blocks. It was also used for very early 1967. I think that it was likely out of production by November, 1966, so I think that in this case, we can say that it's most likely that the year cast was 1965. The Mark IV engines weren't yet released at the beginning of the 65 model year (fall of 64), so a 1964 casting year is unlikely, too.

The '444' was replaced by the GM #3899621 which is an almost identical bellhousing, the difference being the configuration of one of the reinforcing ribs at about the 11 o'clock position. The 3899621 bellhousing was used for most of the 1967 model year for big blocks as well as for most 14" flywheel applications during the 68-81 period.

[Joe L.]

Re: bell housing

Chuck-----

GM #3755343 is the PART NUMBER for the cast iron bellhousing used on 1958-59 Corvettes and having casting number 3733365. This casting was also used or other finished bellhousing part numbers prior to 1958. The GM #3755343 will SERVICE 55-57 passenger cars as well as 1955-59 Corvettes.

This bellhousing was NEVER, EVER used for ANY C2 application, whatsoever.

[Tom D.]

Re: Bellhousing - C2 " 444 " in a 67

Joe - I found a 3872444 (not the one pictured) in my January built 1967 390 HP Corvette. I did not get the orig. engine, so it most likely came with the 1966 396 that was in the Corvette.

[Joe L.]

Re: Bellhousing - C2 " 444 " in a 67

Tom------

It's not impossible that the '444' is original to your car. Generally, these '444' bellhousings were used on very early 1967 Corvettes with big block, but I don't think that January, 1967 would be out of the realm of possibility.

Of course, it's VERY likely that it did come with the 1966 396 engine that was in your car. The '444' was widely used for 1966 big block applications across the Chevrolet line; MANY were installed in Chevelles with 396 engines.

I think that you could use the '444' and it could be considered correct for your car. Or, you could sell it and purchase a '621'. The '444' is probably the rarest and most valuable of the 63-81 Corvette bellhousings, so if you sold it you could buy a '621' and have money left over. If it were me, though, I'd leave it on the car. As I say, it could be correct for your car whether or not it was the one originally installed.

[Tom D.]

Thanks Joe! *NM*