alright I got tired of the "fresh" 350 in my elky leaking and blowing smoke (pervious owner got ripped off on the moter), so now I'm rebuilding my 383 for my 60. my question is I have to replace the flywheel to a SB400 and get a new clutch ass. Before I start takeing apart the car can someone tell me what flywheel and clutch I have to get for the new combo. the car now has a 3 speen manaul in it. Any help would be great Thanx

This is mostly guesswork and a little black magic, maybe some experience mixed in there too....anyway, as memory serves, your 60 would have had the small 153 tooth flywheel originally. However, I believe the larger 168 tooth flywheel will fit in the bellhousing. I have yet to find one that wouldn't fit. So far as I know all the 400 and 454 counterweighted flywheels were 168 tooth, probably with an 11 inch clutch. I would suggest finding an appropriate flywheel at your local boneyard or machine shop and going from there. The flywheel will dictate the clutch assembly.

Devin aka 64SS427
also have 57 Chevy 3100

that was one of the isuses I had to overcome.........the other option was I have both the 700r4 and 200r4, and from what I have gathered only the 200r4 can take the larger flexplat.......and besides putting the 200r4 in only requiers an $80 flexplate and $150 coverter verses $160 flywheel and $150 new clutch........maybe I can save a few bucks and get overdrive too.......LOL.........Still looking for other options too any help I would relish thanx

A 700R4 will bolt up bhind any small block, I would have concerns about the strength of the little 200 myself, especially behind a torquey 383. Personally I love rowing gears and would stay with a manual. If an overdrive is needed, there's always the option of the aftermarket 5 and 6 speeds, or if you're cheap like me, an overdrive unit from a 3 speed can be adapted to a T10 with some knowledge and a little skill.

Devin

I think the first thing you need to decide is do you want an Automatic or Manual trans. If your 383 is an externally balanced rotating assembly, then you need a 400 or 454ci 168 tooth flywheel or flexplate, your options are limited by your externally balanced 383. Most people who build an externally balanced 383, usually purchase the flexplate/flywheel and harmonic balancer with the 383 rotating assembly as part of the kit.

I think I made a desion on this LOL.........I'm not sure if the trany guy I talked to is full of it or not but I gave him the specs on the moter and what it was going into and he told me that the 168 tooth flexpalte would not work with the 700r4 in turn he said, I would have to put minor work into both tranys anyways he said to use the 200r4....(he also said with the mild 383 I am building at my best guess no more than 350hp and 400fpt that for $300 he could streghten the trany up a bit.......the other option was to go with the smaller 350 flexplate and use a conter balance on the crank....he said not a real good idea......the other thing he told me was I would have to shorten the drive shaft if I use the 700r4......is this true?....I havent mesured the total lengh of ither the 3 speed or the 200r4.....does anyone think there would be any more mods that would have to be done?............this board has been very helpfull to me I thank you all very much for your imput.

The 700r4 is about 3 inches longer. the 700r4's built after 1988(unsure on the year) have some stronger stock internals. Bowtie overdrives will sell you a 700r4 built to handle 425hp for $1250 and no core. I used their product and and am getting good results from it. I really like the fact that they drive test all the trans in a real car before shipping. www.bowtieoverdrives.com
George