The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1937 starter and truck Bell house disconnect

Hi all. I picked up a 1937 216 complete with its bell house and clutch but no starter. The bell house casting is 838533 which I believe is correct for 1937. There is a similar one on eBay with the same casting number, but is described as a 40 thru 49. The issue I have is the bell house depth for the starter drive housing is "short". In other words, the three starters I have all are too long (starter drive house length )when I try to fit them into the bell house. All three hit the back of the bell house casting wall before the starter seats in the opening. One starter base the Delco tag 739A but may be modified as the drive has 10 very large teeth. I understand 37 was a " unique" one of a kind year but am I missing something? Does anyone know what the drive house length i.e dimension) is suppose to be for 1937?

35truck, I did a little research through my resource documents. The casting# 838533 is indeed a 1 year only 1937 Truck only (Commercial and Utility) bell housing (see 1st pic below from 1929-54 Chevy Master Parts Book). The one in the eBay ad is the same casting number, but they have misidentified it with the 1940-49 application years. Not unusual for that to happen.

On the starter, according to a 1929-48 Delco Remy Catalog (see 2nd pic), the one year only 1937 starter is correctly ID'd as a 739-A. But the picture in the catalog shows it with a small starter drive gear. The catalog breaks down the individual part numbers of the starter components, but unfortunately doesn't give dimensions (see pic 3). The 4th picture just provides part number confirmation between the Delco Remy catalog and the Chevy Parts Book for the end frame housing and starter drive.

A quick web search for 739-A found one rebuilder offering a https://www.ebay.com/itm/266626030194. The asking price is up there, but considering it is a one year only, not hard to see how it got there. Hope this info may provide some help with your question.

Dan, thanks for all the info. I appreciate the help.. I'm not sure ill dive into the eBay starter you linked me to yet. Mucho $$$

I get it on the "Mucho $$$" - Ouch!!! Maybe put an ad in the Truck Parts Wanted forum to see if a fellow Bolter might have something stashed away they don't need.