Hey all! Yet another question for eveyone here! So I recently bought a 1970 4 speed for the Duster, got it home and realized that one of the ears was broken off!!

My question is: What should I do about this? Should I get it welded, get a new iron case, or get the O.D. aluminum case that the seller offered me?

My thoughts first off were that I would take the aluminum case. I know it is weaker than iron, and I would have to get a different front bearing and retainer size. Is that all I would have to do?? No machining or anything to make it all fit??

Next I was thinking get the iron case welded so I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of swapping cases (though I want to rebuild it anyway lol), but I don't know if it will hold up cuz I know how difficult it is to make a weld on castings strong. My gut tells me that I shouldn't go this route.

Finally I was thinking about getting a new iron case from Brewer's and get the rebuild kit at the same time. I kinda like the idea of the stronger case.

Anyways, with all this in mind, let me know what you all think! Thank you!!

I will post pictures if needed sometime tonight when I get out of work!

how badly is it broken? if its missing completely and the crack is propagating i would get another cast iron case. they are just about everywhere, i would find a used one. if only the outer tab of the ear is broken off depending on how much power your planning on making and how your planning on driving i would run it as is for awhile. the cast iron cases are surprizingly strong as long as your not going to race it like that you should be ok.

Well, the bolt hole is still about 3/4 present, and I don't have the broken off piece. I am afraid that it will not hold. The engine it will be bolted to should be low 12's. I am wanting to race it at the local track probably 3 or 4 times a year, but I will probably do more for the first year cuz I will have to tune it not sure how long that will take.

I got input from Wayne at Brewer's, my dad, and a couple others and they all said I should probably look at getting another case. Even if a welding service guarantees their weld, if it breaks, I gotta get it back to them and it would be a huge hassle...

I had a car that ran perfect with the upper driver's side ear busted clean off for years. The bellhousing was cracked too. I only figured it out when unbolting the trans and the piece fell out. I ran this particular unit HARD with a set of sticky DOT's. I'd have no problem running it like that. If mine with ran like it did with a missing ear your should be ok because there is meat for the bolt to press on.

I believe all of the NP833 cases are cast steel, not cast iron so ther a lot easier to weld and repair. If there is 3/4 of the exeisting ear on the case I would get a good grade 8 washer that fits the bolt and that will clamp down on the case and run it

This is the lower driver's side. I will post some pics tonight and you can see if you'd still go with it. I definately thought about just boltin it up and goin.... We will see.

NP833 cases? I am not sure what you are referring to maybe the part#??

I have plenty of small bearing cases laying around just drop me a PM
Gus

It's totaly up to you on what you want to do. I've ran my 833 with a broken upper passenger ear broken off for years and thats hundreds of hard runs, I don't know why they break off but with the bearing retainer centering the trans. and three other bolts holding you'll be ok. I did put a real thick washer on mine with a longer bolt and cranked it down.

Ok now downsized these pics a bit hopefully this will give a little better insight as to what I am dealing with.

Back view

It's a bit dirty I know, nothin a little degreaser, a sandblaster and maybe some silver bullet can't fix. And I want to rebuild it, at least put new gaskets in like I said, but the insides do look nice....

I would take me a thick stainless washer, or bushing and weld that thing up with some 308 filler. Pre heat the lug pretty good and fire up the tig. You could easily build that up to be strong enough...

Dang...well I don't have a TIG, just a crappy mig lol. I do have access either at the university or through a friend's workplace so that could be an option!

I'd swap cases and be done with it.
If its not a 308 bearing register, now would be time to upgrade. stock is fine for your application imo.

Even when it's not broken, most of the pressure is on the section that is still there. Make sure you have a thick (or doubled up) washer under the head of the bolt and it will be fine.

The 308 bearing was the O.D. tranny bearing correct?? Wouldn't I have to find a different bearing retainer and do some machining to get my internals to fit??