1962 Corvette

[Verle R.]

A friend with a 62 Corvette was complaining about starter noise. After pulling the starter and finding nothing wrong we looked at the flywheel, again nothing. Looked at the bellhousing and found a crack so we pulled the T10 and bellhousing. Had trouble getting the driveshaft yoke out of the trans but finally prevailed. The yoke had an unusual wear pattern, about 1/16" groove around 1/2 of it. When we got the bellhousing off, found four cracks in the starter mount area, one of which is about eight inches long. Original 62 aluminum bellhousing. The car obviously has been rode hard and put up wet in the past.

Two questions:
Does anyone have any ideas about what would cause the wear around one half of the yoke.

I have not been able to locate another correct bellhousing, suggestions for a source.

Thank you,

Verle

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: 1962 Corvette

Verle,

Sounds like the transmission output shaft is bent and/or twisted. Twisted output shaft is a common problem with T-10 transmissions. Set the transmission in any gear and turn the input shaft while observing the output shaft, chances are you will be able to see the wobble.

Sorry, but can't help with the bell housing.

Mark

[John H.]

Re: 1962 Corvette

Verle -

Try Mary Jo Rohner, Grossmueller's, or Crane's for the 3779553 bellhousing.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 1962 Corvette

I'd say Mark is on the money. I'd also say the twisted/bent output shaft could have taken out the bellhousing. If you find an output shaft problem as described, by all means, fix it. You may want to look at having the bellhousing repaired rather than buy another. They're pretty pricey.

[Verle R.]

Re: 1962 Corvette

We disassembled the transmission to check the transmission output shaft and it is not bent or twisted. We are having the driveshaft checked to see if it is bent or out of balance.

Welding / machining the bellhousing is the direction we are going but are looking for another as a fallback if we have to. May fall a way back and install a cast iron bellhousing but would rather not.

Thank you,

Verle

[Mike McKown]

Re: 1962 Corvette

What does the bushing look like in the tailhousing? Splines in the yoke? Are they twisted? Does the car have the correct length yoke?

[Verle R.]

Re: 1962 Corvette

Yes, it has the correct, long yoke, the splines are not twisted. The bushing shows wear, but is not completely worn away like I expected. The owner had mentioned some drive train noise but didn't mention vibration. Don't know how it didn't vibrate.

Verle