Frankenclutch?

[Jimal]

So it turns out that the 350 that came in my '65 K10 project is actually a 400. No problem except that the P.O. didn't realize it was a 400 and used his old 327 flywheel. That means I'm now pulling the transmission. I was originally going to go the cheap route and use one of those adapter weights, but discretion being the better part of valor I've decided to bite the bullet and replace the flywheel and clutch.

My question for the experts is about the interchangeability of these parts. Will the stock clutch for my '65 bolt up to a newer flywheel (I picked a '75 400 for the application, since most of the upgraded parts came from a '75 pickup). Pardon my ignorance on some of these things. I'm a bit rusty on my Chevrolet knowledge and I've never owned a Chevy pickup before; certainly not one of this vintage.

[PGSigns]

If they are both 153 or 168 tooth flywheels you should be OK on the pressure plate. Clutch plate needs to be the correct spline for the trans that is in the truck.
Jimmy

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

If they are both 153 or 168 tooth flywheels you should be OK on the pressure plate. Clutch plate needs to be the correct spline for the trans that is in the truck.
Jimmy

Phew! According to the part number on the flywheel in the truck now, it is a 168 tooth piece, which is what the flywheel I'm looking at is. I want to use the '65 clutch kit so that I have the correct splines.

[61K10]

you should have an 11" clutch? just make sure it will bolt to the flywheel.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by 61K10

you should have an 11" clutch? just make sure it will bolt to the flywheel.

That is the part I'm going to figure out tonight before putting in an order. Weather permitting.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by 61K10

you should have an 11" clutch? just make sure it will bolt to the flywheel.

I ordered the flywheel, and as soon as it gets here I will bring it to my local parts store to see if an 11" or 12" pressure plate will bolt up. I'm getting mixed signals from various sites on what would have come in the truck.

[jtrichard]

as far as I know the 400 would have had a 12" your 65 with a v8 would have had 11" should be the same bolt pattern for the pressure plate on both

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

as far as I know the 400 would have had a 12" your 65 with a v8 would have had 11" should be the same bolt pattern for the pressure plate on both

That sounds logical, but some of the listings I've found online show the '65 truck having a 12" clutch and the '70 Monte Carlo, the only actual application I've found of the 400 with a manual transmission, is an 11". I assume this is the difference between a car application and a truck application, which is why I'd prefer a 12" if it will work.

[Sharps40]

When I put the T5 in my 65 C10 I/we found the following:

Factory clutch was 10" and the flywheel was drilled for 10" only.

Purchased a V8 flywheel (fits a myrad of motors from I6 to V6 and V8/S10/1500/Astro, etc.) and bolted it to the I6. It was drilled for 11" clutch.

Purchased the 11" astro van clutch set and swapped in the short throwout bearing as the long bearing that comes with the astro kit will not fit this clutch in the 65 housing.

The 65 housing was Filled Up by the 11" Astro clutch set but had enough clearance to be a no modification (beyond the bearing swap) fit.

From visual and per the shop that did the swap, 12" clutch set looked like a no go fit in the 65 bell housing...or at least close enough not to merit even trying for the larger assembly.

Don't know if any of the above helps since per the link below, the 400 cid flywheel is a different animal....balance, etc. (yeah, I know its a jeep link but its still Chevy parts.)

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...shift_info.htm

[Captainfab]

I have always heard that GM never put a manual trans behind a SB400, and I have no proof either way. Also that application of the '70 Monte Carlo with a 400, could actually be a 402 (big block) since they were often referred to as a 400 in '70-'72. It is rather confusing since both the SB400 and BB402 came out in 1970. Just something to be aware of when parts shopping.

[jtrichard]

I have a 400 gm flywheel they are hard to find the way I got mine was kinda funny I put a 4speed in a friends 75 burb he had a 350 I called a wrecking yard I deal with he had trans and bell housing and flywheel/clutch put it all in and the thing shook like hell I did not know at the time that a 400 was externally balanced called the yard up and they told me that I may have gotten a 400 flywheel so pulled it back apart and sure enough I had a 400 wheel so called the yard and told them and he wanted that wheel back so bad he said that they are very hard to find I told him he was outa luck I have a 76 with a 400 that I wanted to put a 4 speed in and for all my trouble he was not getting that wheel back

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I have always heard that GM never put a manual trans behind a SB400, and I have no proof either way. Also that application of the '70 Monte Carlo with a 400, could actually be a 402 (big block) since they were often referred to as a 400 in '70-'72. It is rather confusing since both the SB400 and BB402 came out in 1970. Just something to be aware of when parts shopping.

I think I'm okay. The flywheel I ordered is Part #3986394, which is listed by several sources as the GM number for an externally balanced small block. The 402 is an internally balanced big block. The 454 is externally balanced, and uses flywheel #3993827.

[Jimal]

This is what that part number got me from Rock Auto. Looks sufficient; not SFI or anything like that, but this truck will be loafing around.

[jtrichard]

I don't know if you can get a 12" pressure plate in the 65 bell housing a 11" will fit for sure and if you want a better clutch if you have to use an 11" I would use a regular spring plate NOT a diaphragm

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

I don't know if you can get a 12" pressure plate in the 65 bell housing a 11" will fit for sure and if you want a better clutch if you have to use an 11" I would use a regular spring plate NOT a diaphragm

I'm leaning toward pulling the trigger on the 11" clutch. At this point I'm going to get the brakes working as well as some of the others odds and ends before tearing into the transmission.

[Jimal]

Ended up with the 11" clutch setup. I installed it over the weekend and everything appears to be working as normal. That was the one major hurdle to getting the truck back on the road. The next one is putting the bed together, which will start this week now that my bed wood and other various fasteners will be arriving today from Mar-K.