Started to convert----700R4 to SM465

[rcbildr]

This week I got tired of looking at my 4x4 'Burb knowing I have most of the parts I need to fix it and not being able to drive it. I picked it up a little over a year ago with a bad engine...found a crack in the block...and got it going with an engine from a wrecking yard. My friend and I could tell the tranny (700R4) was going out, and after a few months of driving...well I lost overdrive so I figured it would be best to park it until I could fix it.

I found a vendor on E-Bay that was selling rebuilt 700R4's for a nice price (way cheaper than anyone else) and they had a good feedback rating. So I was going to use them, but I found an SM-465 with the linkage and pedals on craigslist.com for an even better deal...$110, so I had to go get it. I just read (and read again, and again, and again) an article on coloradok5.com (http://www.coloradok5.com/auto2manual.shtml) where this conversion was done on a Blazer with a TH-350, and I figured I could do that conversion on my 85 'burb. I know I wil be losing overdrive with the conversion, but the price was too good not to do it....and most of the people on CK5.com liked going to a manual. The only differences are, I am using the stock T-case (NP-208) and mechanical clutch. Eventually, I would like to convert to a hydraulic clutch.

So far I've removed the transfer case, drivelines, transmission linkage, and the transmission but now I've ran in to a couple problems. The adapter for the SM-465 to the NP-208 has a piece that has broken off. It is the part of the adapter that covers the lower bearing on the transmission. I have the piece that broke off and I think with a good cleaning and lots of JB Weld it will be ok....all it does is cover the bearing and acts as a seal. If that doesn't work I will find another adapter.

The next problem is something I was worried about, but it doesn't seem too difficult to take care of. I saw a listing on ebay that said something like the 4x4's with a TH-350 has a 27 spline output to the t-case and the th-400's (and manuals I think) have a 32 spline output to the t-case. I was thinking that my 'burb would have the 32 spline because it is diesel, but I was wrong. Turns out the 700R4 has the smaller output shaft for the t-case and the SM-465 I have has the larger output shaft. I found a place in Spokane (did a search on google) that knew exactly what I needed so on payday I will be giving them a call for the right part....and then I get to take apart my T-case.

Next on the list to do is to remove the steering column, bolt in the z-bar bracket on the frame, and install the flywheel & clutch.

I'll try to get some pics over the next couple days. Thanks!