So I decided to finally replace the factory 3 Spd transmission in my '73 FJ40 and decided on the GM 4WD NV4500. I already have a 350 Chevy that has been in the car for years. I was supposed to have the part shipped from Advance Adapters on July 1, having ordered it from Summit Racing on June 16th. To make a long story short, Advance Adapters was in the middle of a product update and I just got my parts yesterday.
It seems that they decided to change the casting from the old P/N 51-0214 which was 5.875" long to P/N 51-0224 which is now 1/2" longer at 6.375" long, same as used with the Dodge version of the transmission.
So today I decide to do the install. The documentation calls for cutting off the output shaft of the transmission at 4.498" with no plus or minus information given. When I took my initial measurement it appeared as if the measurement was right at the edge of where the splines start. I was uncomfortable with cutting right up against the splines so I eyeballed close but not on.
Here is what it looked like before the cut.
This is what is looked like after the cut.
Now the pipe wrenches and clamps in the background of the picture are what I used to remove the 5th gear retaining nut.
I actually had to put the clamp over the output shaft because when I applied pressure the whole assembly tried to twist up and off the pallet it was setting on, despite the 3/4" plywood support the bell-housing was bolted to.
Now the limited install instruction give you several options to cut the tail shaft. I decided to try a portable band saw. I wasn't sure if the blade was up to the task since it came from HF but figured the first few seconds would tell the story. To my delight, it was up to the task.
I dressed up the saw cut marks with a flapper wheel before test fitting the spud shaft.
(to be continued)
It seems that they decided to change the casting from the old P/N 51-0214 which was 5.875" long to P/N 51-0224 which is now 1/2" longer at 6.375" long, same as used with the Dodge version of the transmission.
So today I decide to do the install. The documentation calls for cutting off the output shaft of the transmission at 4.498" with no plus or minus information given. When I took my initial measurement it appeared as if the measurement was right at the edge of where the splines start. I was uncomfortable with cutting right up against the splines so I eyeballed close but not on.
Here is what it looked like before the cut.
This is what is looked like after the cut.
Now the pipe wrenches and clamps in the background of the picture are what I used to remove the 5th gear retaining nut.
I actually had to put the clamp over the output shaft because when I applied pressure the whole assembly tried to twist up and off the pallet it was setting on, despite the 3/4" plywood support the bell-housing was bolted to.
Now the limited install instruction give you several options to cut the tail shaft. I decided to try a portable band saw. I wasn't sure if the blade was up to the task since it came from HF but figured the first few seconds would tell the story. To my delight, it was up to the task.
I dressed up the saw cut marks with a flapper wheel before test fitting the spud shaft.
(to be continued)