1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

[Dave C.]

Anyone on line that can confirm that 1965 396 car used a 403 bell housing. My car has a 403 but corvette by the numbers claims a 444 was used on 1965 to early 1966. I understand the 10 1/2 vs 11" difference - just want to validate it should be a 403. I came across an old posting by Joe Lucia that stated that the 444 was not released until November 1965.

thanks

[Roy S.]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

My $.02 says 403 is correct.

[mike mccagh]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

agree with roy.mike

[George W.]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

Both of mine had the 403. G.

[Joe C.]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

Wasn't the 403 bellhousing used with both SBC and BBC engines for 1965?

[Dave C.]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

thanks all!!

[Wayne M.]

Yes, and that's the problem ...

Many want to associate BB's with something "different", hence the false search for proof of a boat anchor flag.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 396 Bell Housing 444 or 403

dave------

I'll wager that NO 1965 Corvette, L-78 or otherwise, ever was originally equipped with the '444' bellhousing. The '444' is designed ONLY for use with a 14" flywheel/11" clutch. No 1965 Corvette used a 14" flywheel. Both the L-78 and all 327 versions used a 12-3/4" flywheel with a 10-1/2" clutch. While the L-78 flywheel was different than the 327, BOTH were 12-3/4".

The '403' was the primary, if not exclusive, bellhousing used for 1965 with L-78. It's possible, though, that the '383' might also have been used. Both bellhousings are functionally equivalent for a Corvette application and both were used during this period.