61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

[Ruud Z.]

I just brooke my 4-speed ('67) Muncie on my early '63 roadster. It should have been a BW in the first place. I do have the #3788421('63 only) bellhousing and I can buy a '61 BW 4-speed just around the corner from where I live in the Netherlands. Main case is T-10-1C, tail is T10-7B, dated 1-18-61 and comes with a shifter and if I choose a #3764591('60 only) bellhousing.
My questions are:
- would this '61 BW fit on to my '63 (without major adjustments) and get me driving this summer?
- wich bellhousing should I be using, the one wich in on now #3899621, the one I have #3788421 or the one I can purchase seperately #3764591?
- can I still use my Muncie//Hurst shifter ?
I have several starters and bellhouse covers so that should not be a problem.
Any suggestions and answers are more then welcome. The sun is shining
and my right foot has rested long enough.
Thanks Ruud

[Mike M.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

the 61 t-10 will fit the early 63 vette without modifications but the hurst shifter rods from the muncie won't work on the t-10. you may be able to buy t-10 shifter rods from hurst allowing the hurst shifterr to be used again. all 3 bellhousings will work. mike

[Ruud Z.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

Thanks Mike, the rods for the T-10 come with the (T-10)shifter on the tranny, so do I need to try and use the rods on the Hurst shifter or should I look for "Hurst" T-10 rods ?
Thanks Ruud

[Joe R.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

Rudd,

I agree with Mike. You can buy the complete setup and it will work on your 63 with one exception. The 63 bellhousing will not work on a 61 T-10 because the bearing retainer on a 63 has a smaller diameter than the cast iron retainer on the 61. All ORIGINAL 63 T-10's had an aluminum bearing retainer that was from a 3 speed including the front bearing.

Buy the setup and use your present bellhousing and get your 63 running again. Would be a lot cheaper than paying the freight and import tax on one from the states.

JR

[Ruud Z.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

Hello Joe, thanks for replying. In relation to the "larger" bearing holder on the '61 BW I'd like to know if the #3899621 bellhousing that is now on my'63 and bolted to an '67 Muncie wouyld fit the '61 BW ?
If so it would save a lot of hassle with the starter and the clutch cover.
Thanks Ruud

[Mike T.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

Hello Ruud. Heed the advice of all the guys, but I can just tell you about my experience.
I bought my 61 in 1978 that had a 63 S/W 4 spd. in it. I did an owner search on my 61, and talked to a former owner who had a 63 the same time he had my 61. He decided to sell the 63. The 61 transmission didn't go into second gear properly when it was cold, so he swapped transmissions before he sold the 63.
I found the VIN on the 63 transmission, so I started looking for the current owner of the S/W. Long story short, I found the owner of the 63, and we swapped the transmissions back. I wrote a story in the Restorer back in the late 80's/early 90's entitled "T-10's for Two" that details that whole story.
Anyway, there was a homemade bracket used to mount the 63 tailshaft to the crossmember when the 63 transmission was in my 61. When I got the original 61 transmission back in the 61, the homemade bracket didn't work. I bought a 61 repro tailshaft bracket from Paragon and it worked perfect.
Never did fix the synchros in 2nd. I just double clutch when it's cold!

[Joe R.]

Re: 61' BW 4 speed on an early '63 corvette

Rudd,

In relation to using your present bellhousing, I think the hole is the same size however you may have to change the clutch disc if the splines aren't the same on the input shaft. I think it will be OK but don't know for positive.

There's always some snags when transmissions, bellhousings etc. are changed around but they will interchange if the parts are still available and in this case it should be no problem.

JR