Ever get into a BERT latemodel Dirt car tranny??

WOW this thing was really simple... My buddies car has never been able to keep a rear output seal. Come to find out, the rear housing was trashed, and the bushing was ovaled. He had the housing rebuilt, and last night I put the little thing back together. Well I got it in, and we didnt have low/reverse. I never touched the guts, I just put the output shaft, and housing in the thing. SO out it comes AGAIN!! which it is not easy to do being there is roll bars everywhere!!. I get the thing out, get the side cover off, and see the low/reverse rod is not, and will not move all the way into its detent. come to find out the detent somehow fell behind the rod, and wedged in the case. NOT FUN!! We had to shorten the detent spring, which was too tight to begin with. But after figuring the way it works it really wasnt too bad. These trannys are wierd, they have an internal clutch pack, that is basically out of an R1 sport bike. The input shaft goed direct to a crank flange, and the car moves in low gear with the clutch pressed, then once it moves you slide it to high gear, and race the car in high. If you try to race in low, the clutches will burn up.

Just thought you guys might be interested in how a tiny little 2 speed manual takes the abuse of a 500hp small block at 8k+ rpm all night long.

Kasey

They handle much more than 500HP all night long---try 800+HP "all night long".

But, the life of a Bert is heavily dependent on frequent changing of the trans fluid---we changed fluid at every oil change---about every 300 laps with a dry sump system.

Our guys are limited latemodels, and can only run a 2bbl. Our bullet currently made right at 495ish hp with the 2bbl, and was over the 500 mark with a 4 bbl.

We change our fluids with every oil change also.

Kasey

Buddy of mine had a BERT in a dirt modified. Incredibly simple inside. Hate to see what one would look like if you ever dead hooked 800+ HP though.

Fortunately, those engines rarely are less then 4K RPM under race conditions---so "hooking" them is much easier on the little Bert transmission.

I guess I dont understand what you mean by 4k under race conditions, but Codys car hits at least 7200 each saturday for 30+ laps. Nothing bashfull at all. If he has a tack track, he dunps a few gears in the rear, and goes for it. Left front up, and car on the bars. Awsome deal to watch. He won every A main he has on a very slick track, he knows how to feather it like a magitian.

Kasey

Their bellhousings crack like crazy after prolonged use, but that is to be expected I guess..... I was just amazed at how many cracks/weld repairs were on the one I just worked on a few weeks ago.

My brother has a dirt modifed with a bert his has no tail shaft they have a yoke right off the back of the case and a drive shaft with a slip yoke they are funny inside he lets my wife drive it for a powder puff race and always smoked the clutch and I got stuck changing it I finally smartened up and started push starting her like a sprint car

Quote:

---

Their bellhousings crack like crazy after prolonged use, but that is to be expected I guess..... I was just amazed at how many cracks/weld repairs were on the one I just worked on a few weeks ago.

---

We dont have any issues with the broken bell housings, We bought a BRINN magnesium bell housing with the 8 inch flywheel, and reverse mounted starter .. Its a really trick piece..

Kasey