Casting #3840383
General Motors Casting Number 3840383 Clutch Housing
The Chevy "383" is an aluminum 153 tooth
bellhousing with a 4 5/8" center hole. This makes
it compatible with all GM car 4 speeds
(Muncie,Saginaw,T-10), except the 1963 small
bearing retainer transmissions.
This part number should not be confused with the
1963 Chevy II 3788383 bellhousing.
Front View
Some examples I have owned had two untapped
Z bar stud provisions (one on each side). Other
examples have no bosses.
Inside
This view shows the straight starter side (left) that
identifies it as a 153 tooth bellhousing. These
housings utilize a stamped steel inspection cover
that is attached via the four 1/4"-20 tapped holes
along the bottom edge.
Inside Closeup
This picture shows the typical inside webbing, the
fork ball bosses, the threaded transmission mounting
holes, and the fork ball stud bosses. The drivers side
boss is drilled and tapped for left hand drive.
Drivers Side
The fork hole is the same as most Chevrolet
aluminum clutch housings, and accepts GM part
# 330811, 3736530, 3820875, 3841738, 3844208,
3993851, 14007355, 15590132 rubber fork boots.
Top View
This view shows the top with the GM logo cast
just above the transmission mounting flange.
Passenger Side
The passenger side is straight which is a quick
way of telling it is a 153 tooth flywheel housing.
Part Number
Part number, date circle and mold number are cast
into the clutch fork hole knockout on the passenger
side.
The Chevy "383" is an aluminum 153 tooth
bellhousing with a 4 5/8" center hole. This makes
it compatible with all GM car 4 speeds
(Muncie,Saginaw,T-10), except the 1963 small
bearing retainer transmissions.
This part number should not be confused with the
1963 Chevy II 3788383 bellhousing.
Front View
Some examples I have owned had two untapped
Z bar stud provisions (one on each side). Other
examples have no bosses.
Inside
This view shows the straight starter side (left) that
identifies it as a 153 tooth bellhousing. These
housings utilize a stamped steel inspection cover
that is attached via the four 1/4"-20 tapped holes
along the bottom edge.
Inside Closeup
This picture shows the typical inside webbing, the
fork ball bosses, the threaded transmission mounting
holes, and the fork ball stud bosses. The drivers side
boss is drilled and tapped for left hand drive.
Drivers Side
The fork hole is the same as most Chevrolet
aluminum clutch housings, and accepts GM part
# 330811, 3736530, 3820875, 3841738, 3844208,
3993851, 14007355, 15590132 rubber fork boots.
Top View
This view shows the top with the GM logo cast
just above the transmission mounting flange.
Passenger Side
The passenger side is straight which is a quick
way of telling it is a 153 tooth flywheel housing.
Part Number
Part number, date circle and mold number are cast
into the clutch fork hole knockout on the passenger
side.
Applications
General Motors didn't identify which bellhousing was used in their assembly manuals. Applications are therefore derived from GM parts catalogs.
This bellhousing is listed in the parts books as part # 3858403 with the identification (casting) # 3840383. I have provided a partial list of this part
number found in the parts catalogs. Basically this part was correct for anything from 153 cubic inches to the all aluminum 427 cubic inch corvette
engine. The exceptions were Heavy Duty Clutch applications (11").
3858403 (Partial List)
0.683 HOUSING, Clutch (Ident. No. 3840383)
64-68 Y (327, 396) (Corvette Parts Books)
66 Y (427) W/SP. H/PER. (Corvette Parts Books)
67-69 Y (427) W/H.D., AL. CYL. AND CASE (Corvette Parts Books)
64 Pass. (230,283,327)(exc. Taxi, H.D. Clutch) (Chevy Parts Books)
65-68 Chevelle (283,307,327)(exc. H.D. Clutch) (Chevy Parts Books)
67-68 Camaro (302,327) (Chevy Parts Books)
68 Chevy II (exc. 350,396) (Chevy Parts Books)
69 Chevy II, Chevelle, Camaro (153,230,250,302,327,350 w/reg fuel) (Chevy Parts Books)
70 ALL (exc. 8 cyl., Taxi, Police) (Chevy Parts Books)
70 ALL (307, SP. H/Per., 350) (Chevy Parts Books)
64-69 Pass. (230,250)(exc. Taxi, Police, H.D. Clutch) (Chevy Parts Books)
64-68 Chevelle, Camaro, (6 cyl.) (Chevy Parts Books)
68 Chevy II (6 cyl.) (Chevy Parts Books)
69 Chevy II, Chevelle, Camaro (230, 250) (Chevy Parts Books)
70-72 ALL (6 cyl.)(exc. Taxi, Police) (Chevy Parts Books)
73-75 ALL (6 Cyl.) (Chevy Parts Books)
Quick Reference
Material: Aluminum
Size: 153 tooth flywheel
Engine Bolt Pattern: Chevy
Transmission Bolt Pattern: Most GM car (Muncie, Saginaw, Borge Warner)
Transmission to Bellhousing Threads: 1/2"-13
Center Hole Size: 4 5/8"
Fork Ball Stud Threads: 13/16"-16
Inspection Plate Bolt Threads: 1/4"-20
Face to Face Measurement: 6 5/16"
Starter Mounted: No
Starter Nose:
Engine Mount Pads: No
Z-bar Mount: Some do and some don't, have a drilled hole for engine stud (may already be tapped 1/2"-13).
Note: all measurements are approximate.
Disclaimer:
Most parts that I describe and picture have identification on or with them, others I can identify from other sources and deduction (educated guess).
Factory correct applications are your responsibility. GM made part and part # changes with no rhyme but a reason (no production interruptions at any cost).
Applications are for replacement parts that were available at the time of parts book printing, and when possible model specific assembly manuals.
My observations come from the parts I have in my collection or other reliable sources your parts may differ.
If Factory correctness is your goal, do more research, join car clubs,
forums and buy an assembly manual if one is available for your Project Car (you wont be sorry).
This is a fun and interesting part of the hobby!
