[Jim Zagg]

I have a 390 FE with a stock cast iron bellhousing and a Hays Long style clutch and a Tilton 600 series hydraulic bearing. 61-618 base and 61-604 bearing for a 1 1/16-10 Toploader 4 speed. Here is my problem. Clutch finger to bellhousing dimension is 2.735" and transmission to front of bearing dimension is 3.110. I need a transmission dimension of 2.600". I sent an email last week to tilton and no answer yet. The instruction sheet says the bearing base combo can go down to 2.770". I'm thinking it has the wrong piston in it but it still won't be short enough. I sent an email to RAM and they say I can use their bearing number 78136 and turn down the front bearing retainer to 1.370" and it will fit. Any of you guys have any ideas?