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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000932334-08-000011.txt : 20081112
<SEC-HEADER>0000932334-08-000011.hdr.sgml : 20081111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081112175503
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000932334-08-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081110
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081112
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081112

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BELL INDUSTRIES INC /NEW/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000945489
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-ELECTRONIC PARTS & EQUIPMENT, NEC [5065]
		IRS NUMBER:				952039211
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1960 E GRAND AVENUE SUITE 560
		CITY:			EL SEGUNDO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90245
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3105632355

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1960 E GRAND AVENUE SUITE 560
		CITY:			EL SEGUDON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90245

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CALIFORNIA BELL INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950519

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEWCASTLE PARTNERS L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000932334
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11471
		FILM NUMBER:		081182069

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 CRESCENT COURT
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-661-7474

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 CRESCENT COURT
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000945489</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BELL INDUSTRIES INC /NEW/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000932334</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NEWCASTLE PARTNERS L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 CRESCENT COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 1400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>4% Convertible Promissory Note Due 2017</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.2</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1670536</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-06-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-01-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $.001 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25859676</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24189140</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>BI Holdings, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Newcastle Capital Management, L.P. (&quot;NCM&quot;) is the general partner of Newcastle Partners, L.P. (&quot;NP&quot;).  Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. (&quot;NCG&quot;) is the general partner of NCM and Mark E. Schwarz is the managing member of NCG. Accordingly, each of NCM, NCG and Mr. Schwarz may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by NP.  Mr. Schwarz is a director of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents an indirect interest (through the ownership of limited partnership interests in BI Holdings, L.P.) in 93.54% of the 25,859,676 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer into which a convertible subordinated note  due January 31, 2017 (the &quot;Convertible Note&quot;) held by BI Holdings, L.P. (&quot;BILP&quot;)  is convertible within 60 days from the date hereof.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents the number of shares of Common Stock of the Issuer into which the Convertible Note is convertible into subject to the following limitations. The entire principal amount (inclusive of any interest accretion) of the Convertible Note is convertible into shares of Common Stock at the conversion price of $.20 per share, subject to adjustment (the &quot;Conversion Price&quot;); provided that,</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">(continuation of Footnote 2) until such time as the Issuer's shareholders approve an increase in the Issuer's authorized shares of Common Stock to permit full conversion of the Convertible Note, BILP cannot convert the Convertible Note into more than a number of shares of Common Stock which, when added together with any other outstanding shares of Common Stock and any shares of Common Stock into which derivative securities of Issuer are then convertible or exercisable, equal the maximum number of authorized shares of Common Stock under Issuer's existing Articles of Incorporation.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The Issuer is seeking shareholder approval at its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders for an increase in the authorized shares of Common Stock of the Issuer to permit the conversion of the entire principal balance of the Convertible Note into shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Convertible Note. Upon such approval, it is expected that the Convertible Note shall be convertible into at least 30,949,819 additional shares (as well as any additional shares in respect of paid in kind interest on the Convertible Note). If such approval is not obtained at the Issuer's 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, this Form 4 will be amended accordingly.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Transaction constitutes a distribution of 6.46% of the limited partnership interests in BILP (which holds the Convertible Note) to withdrawing limited partners of NP as of September 30, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Newcastle Partners, L.P., By: Newcastle Capital Management, L.P., its general partner, By: Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. its general partner, By: /s/ Mark E. Schwarz, its managing member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Newcastle Capital Management, L.P., By: Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. its general partner, By: /s/ Mark E. Schwarz, its managing member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C., By: /s/ Mark E. Schwarz, its managing member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mark E. Schwarz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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