Posted by Chris on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 5:49PM :
In Reply to: Big blocks in 59-68 Dodge trucks, what I have learned. posted by Eric B. on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 4:55PM :
There were some 440s that came with an 8 bolt crank, I'm not sure what they came out of, but I still have the block so I can check the casting number. The hydralic bell requires use of a crossmember under the bell, later 69-71 series trucks use a crossmember under the trans. I was able to relocate this crossmember up front by sharing one of the leaf shackle rivets (hole). The crossmember already had provisions for the bell mounts.
69-71 came with a mechanical bell with no mounts (ie trans crossmember). Some trucks have both a hole in the firewall for the clutch master as well as a hole for the mechanical clutch rod.
440s came with both cast and forged cranks, this makes a difference on internally or externally balanced and affects the choice of the flywheel. The 68 flywheel I used was fine for my 69 forged crank 440. I believe (but could be wrong) that all 383s were internally balanced.
NP435s came with both a 1" fine spline input shaft or the much more desirable 1 3/8" coarse spline input shaft. It makes a difference on the disk you get and you may have to match one up at a clutch specialty place rather than by application. 435s also came with two sizes of front bearing retainers. The narrow one breaks off due to t/o bearing stress. You can use the wider bearing retainer with either shaft.
Hydralic bells seem to always have the extra bolt pattern for NP540 series 5 speeds. D400 -??? mechanical bells don't work in 69-71 trucks. Anyone want to buy mine? :-)
You can put a hydralic master in a 69-71 mechanical truck with power brakes if you use the 1 ton booster with extension bracket and rod. Seen a few of these in D series mid to late 60s trucks.
Pre 69 hydralic bells do NOT use the same starter as 69-up trucks. You may have to have it rebuilt by a starter generator place. I had a bigger stator put in my starter for more power.
I think that's it (from the top of my head). If anyone has questions, let me know.
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