4 speed questions

Posted By: BulletBob

4 speed questions - 02/14/12 06:50 PM

I'm helping a friend replace the 273 in his all original 65 4 dr Dart that came with a 4 speed with a LA 360 Now I know that I'll have to find the flywheel for the 360 & the bellhousing to fit it.

The question is Does this early A body trans have the small bearing retainer for sure?
It's not here yet but I want to find the parts ahead of time so there's no sitting around waiting & he's a slow mover

Thank's in advance!

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/14/12 07:20 PM

A 65 273 4 speed should be a small retainer IIRC.

The 273 shares the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 360 so if the 273 flywheel is the same diameter as a later 360 LA (130 tooth) you only need the flywheel.

Or you could have the 273 flywheel rebalanced to be a 360 flywheel (as long as the bolt pattern is the same) Getting past 67 and things are a little different and fuzzy for me.

If you get a new bellhousing and the hole is larger then you can make/buy an adapter ring. I did on my /6 4 speed.

Brewers or Passon can sell you exactly what you need if you don't have it.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/14/12 07:40 PM

The 273 came with 9 or 91/2" clutch & some guys told me that the 273 bell was too small for the 10.5 flywheel

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/14/12 08:07 PM

Quote:

The 273 came with 9 or 91/2" clutch & some guys told me that the 273 bell was too small for the 10.5 flywheel

Thank you for setting that straight. As I said, older than 67 I start getting Fuzzy.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/14/12 08:52 PM

Quote:

Quote:

The 273 came with 9 or 91/2" clutch & some guys told me that the 273 bell was too small for the 10.5 flywheel

Thank you for setting that straight. As I said, older than 67 I start getting Fuzzy.

I know about the before 67 fuzzy part as I've mostly had 67-70 A bodies only as far as A bodies go.

Posted By: 446acuda

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/15/12 02:24 AM

A 10" clutch like used on later /6 trucks will fit the small 273 122-tooth flywheel if you wanted to go that route.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/15/12 04:01 AM

Had thought about that but this is a low budget build & we wasn't going to tear the motor apart to balance it. the engine is a 43K original that we're putting some cam & a flowed set of J heads.

Posted By: Daty Rogers

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/15/12 05:49 AM

Quote:

The 273 came with 9 or 91/2" clutch & some guys told me that the 273 bell was too small for the 10.5 flywheel

Quite true, ran into this myself. Yes it will bolt up but there is no room for the starter to fit, the flywheel is visible thru the starter hole.

-Daty

Posted By: 446acuda

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/15/12 01:49 PM

You would have to get the 273 flywheel balanced for a 360 and wouldn't require tearing the engine apart. Another easier but not quite right way to do it is to put a B&M 360 flexplate between the crank and the 273 flywheel. I think Brewers or any good local machine shop could set up your flywheel for a 360.If you do go with the 130 tooth flywheel it is easier to use the short clutch fork since the long fork will come close to the torsion bar and will take up room that you will need for the exhaust.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/15/12 11:56 PM

That's a thought & would save $$$ but do you think that it would grip well enough. We're trying to keep stock & original looking with its 273 Comando Valve covers Sleeper look. We've already got a 8 3/4 & KH discs. It may get a 68 or 69 A Body 833 to get away from that ball & trunion driveshaft.

Posted By: 446acuda

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/16/12 12:19 AM

I don't know if any of the good clutch companies make a good 10" pressure plate and disc. You should keep the original 4 spd since it has a 3.09 first gear so that you can get away with less rear gear. Just change the mainshaft and tailshaft housing to '68-up parts if you really want to get away from the b&t setup.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 4 speed questions - 02/16/12 02:06 AM

He bought a 10.5 Clutch that loaded & unloaded a car That had the wrong fork. It's a Ram Clutch & plate