When I took my 64 327 car apart, I found that everything except for the waterpump was the original. The (very brittle) original spark plug wires even had the right date codes specified in the Judging manual. I figured that the bellhousing on the car was probably the original also so I took it off and cleaned it up and was planning to bolt it back on later. However, It had a 3840383 part number cast into it and the NCRS Judging manual stated that the casting number should be 3858403. I promptly made a visit to my favorite backwoods junkyard and liberated two 3858403 bell housings from the pile of them in the trunk of a 59 Impala. I took them home and cleaned up the nicest one and was planning to bolt that one in until an hour ago when I saw Uncle Joe make reference to the 3840383 part number. Now I need to ask --Which One Should I Use? Here is a photo of the two casting numbers so you can see them for yourself . With the amount of help that Joe gives on this board I assume he doesn't buy too many of his own drinks at NCRS events : ) Thanks, Shane
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Re: I would use the '383
Greetings Shane ~
For what its worth, the following is from a 1974 - 40th Edition of Hollander Interchange Manual;
Casting nbr 3840383 is listed as being used on the following, Chevelle '64 - Chev pass '64 6-230, 8-283, 8-327 - Chev Tr '64 G10 - Corvette '64 - Temptest '64-65 6 cyl.
I have observed it on a '64 Impala SS 327-300 4sp Nov '63 build date.
IMHO, I think the JRM is flawed there.
Bob P. -
Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Shane----
First off, if your 64 is original down to the plug wires, I consider it highly unlikely that the bellhousing was ever replaced. The water pump I can understand. As I've said before, if you get 50,000 miles out of a pre-71 5/8" shaft pump, you've done well. But bellhousings are, generally, long-lived.
In any event, I really believe that your 3840383 bellhousing is original to your car. Here's why. The PART NUMBER for the 1964 12.75" flywheel bellhousing is GM #3840381. That PART number is consistent with a 3840383 casting number, which are often 1 or 2 digits greater than the part number.
In 1965, the PART number for this bellhousing changed to GM #3859401. But, as specified in the 1965 edition of the parts manual, the casting number remained the same----3840383. What this part number change probably means is that the original 3840383 CASTING was machined slightly differently to produce a somewhat revised FINISHED BELLHOUSING which was probably done to accomodate 1965 applications or wider usage. It could also be that the 3840383 CASTING was actually REPLACED by the 3859403 casting at this time, and the identification number(casting number) provided in the parts manual is incorrect. Or. it is possible that both CASTING NUMBERS were used to produce finished 3859401 bellhousings.
In 1966, the PART number for the bellhousing remained the same. But, in 1967 the PART number changed to GM #3859403----while the casting number remained 3840383 according to the parts manuals. Once again, I suspect that a small machining change was made for the same purpose as described above. Whether that change was made to a 3840383 casting or a 3859403 casting, I am not sure. In any event, the PART NUMBER and the CASTING number may have become the same at this time. Or, it could be that some finished 3959403 bellhousings were made from the 3840383 casting and some were made from the 3859403 casting.
The GM #3859403 remained available in SERVICE until about 2-3 years ago when it was finally discontinued. The last printing of the 53-82 parts manual which was published in December, 1983 still continued to specify that the GM PART #3859403 bellhousing was identified by the casting noumber 3840383. But, I don't think that later bellhousings actually were.
In any event, I really don't believe that the 3859403 casting number would be correct for ANY 1964 Corvette. That's because I don't believe that CASTING or PART number even existed then. In my opinion, 1965 is about the earliest that the 3859403 casting number could have existed. But, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that some late 64s MAY have used it.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Shane --- Bob and Joe are probably right; stick with the "383". Also check the archives, as there was something about 3 or 4 months ago on this subject. What is the horsepower version and VIN # of your car ? I have an early '65, L76 VIN 014xx that has a "383". Noland Adams Vol 2 lists bellhousings for about five '64's, and they're all "403"s, except for the latest, which is an L76 with late VIN 225xx.
Now I haven't checked if "383"s have the month/week cast in the small circles near the part # (as do the 403's), but this could indicate if the assembly/cast timeframe of your block and bellhousing correspond.Comment
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How do I decode these marks?
I hate to be a bother, but where would I go to find out how to decode these marks? If you know right off hand what they mean I would really appreciate a translation.
P.S. wasn't it possible to add the as a link before? Not to complain about the site- It has become a daily ritual. ShaneComment
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Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Shane,Joe and Bob, I have a early 65, Nov.19,1964 and I have a 383 bellhousing. Hope this helps. FloydComment
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Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Thank YOU, Floyd --- yours is the confirmation I've been waiting for that other '65's in my timeframe (VIN 14xx, D6 S-body, first day production after the strike) also have the "383". Is yours also an L76 ?Comment
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Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Wayne, I have a L84 Fuelie. If you need to check any other chassis parts let me know, I have the body off of the chassis right now, so I can get to the part numbers fairly easy. I am getting ready to paint the glove box door and frame, what shade of black is yours? Is it semi-gloss? Thanks, FloydComment
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Re: Which Bellhousing To Use?
Hi Guys, Checked the bellhousing on my early 65. It has vin # 42XX. Built Nov 27 with a AO Smith body. It has a ----403 bellhousing. Hope this helps Page Campbell #2299Comment
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I'm using the 383 but one more question
Thanks everyone for the answers, I have decided to use the 383 bellhousing. My car was built mid march of 64 and is an L75 conv. Could somebody please decode these marks on the 383 bellhousing I took off the car? Also, How much of the bellhousing should be painted? I have seen the one of the 403s I have is fully painted, on is a little rough, but has almost no paint on it and the 383 has alot, but not great coverage. Thanks for your responses. ShaneComment
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Re: I'm using the 383 but one more question
Shane --- the URL you've posted for the photo of the "383" bellhousing kicks into a MegaGo search engine. Am I missing something ?Comment
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the link works fine for me, but I will try again.
Picture should be atComment
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