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TH400 and J.W. Ultra-Bell
Updated: 03/04/07
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Below are pictures of my transbrake equipped Turbo 400 transmission. It was built by Mike Fareri at Michael's Transmission and Auto Service Center in Atco New Jersey.

Why an Ultra-Bell?

When I got the turbo 400, it had a cracked bell housing. It was also a Chevy bolt pattern, not the BOP pattern that I needed. I installed the Ultra-Bell myself, then took the trans to Michael's for the rebuild. Below are pictures of the process of installing the Ultra-Bell.

Prior to installing the Ultra-Bell, I searched the web to see if there were any photo tutorials on how it was done. I found nothing. So, once I got all the parts together I decided to make this web page in hopes that it would help someone else doing the same thing.

Everything is very simple though, with the hardest part being to keep any metal shavings out of the open trans. In my case though, I was having the trans rebuilt immediately afterwards, so it wasn't a problem.

Thanks again to Mike Fareri at Michael's Transmission and Auto Service Center.

How I installed my J.W. Ultra-Bell...
Step 1: Assemble Tools: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Long screwdriver.
  • 4 1/2" angle grinder with one (1) cutting disk and one (1) grinding disk.
  • Reciprocating saw with one (1) 6" bimetal blade.

 
Step 2: Prepare Case: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Turn the case upside down.
  • Block it in place so that it doesn't roll back and forth or side to side.
  • Remove oil pan.
  • Remove all the pump bolts.

 
Step 3: Remove Pump: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Remove the oil filter and use a long flat screw driver or pry bar to pry the pump out.
  • Pull with one hand while you pry with the other. It doesn't take much force.

Here you can see the pump has been removed. Also you can see how beefy the Ultra-Bell is compared to the stock bell housing.

 
Step 4: Prepare to cut: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Looking at the instructions, you will see some rough estimates on length of trans after the bell housing is cut (17 5/8").
  • Verify these measurements and make your marks for cutting.



 
Step 5: Finishing Work: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Once the bell housing is removed, grind the 3 "ears" flat.
  • Test fit the Ultra-Bell and see if any part of the transmission case hits. If so, repeat process until no part of the case hits.

 
Step 6: The Finished Product: (click on images to enlarge)
  • Pictures of the finished product.









Step 7: Testing at the Track: (click on images to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Michael’s Transmission and Auto Service Center

www.michaelsautocenter.com
(856) 753-0035

108 South White Horse Pike.
Atco, NJ. 08004