NV4500 swap

[dreamtruckproject]

I have been planning on using a SM465 and gearvendors overdrive, but have recently thought of going with a NV4500 instead due to lower cost. Has anyone put a NV4500 in their 60-66?

[rookierodbuilder]

I'm glad you posted this, I've been curious about it myself. I have done a little research on NVG transmissions and the clutch setup on these trucks. I feel the biggest issue that you will run into is your clutch master and slave cylinders because the clutch fork is on the passenger side of the NV transmissions. I think the best way to get around that is flip the bar that currently pulls the rod that actuates the z-bar so that it will push. then maybe use a late camaro master cylinder with a remote reservoir mounted vertically and connect it to the standard NV4500 slave cylinder. I'm not sure about the compatibility of the cylinders, but when i was researching this swap it seemed to be the simplest path to take. as far as shifter location goes, however, I haven't got a clue.

[dreamtruckproject]

The easiest way I have seen is to use a Dodge version with an Advance Adapters plate. It is a 1" adapter plate that will allow you to bolt the Dodge NV4500 up to the factory GM bell housing and use your existing clutch setup. The catch to this is that it is only for replacing the SM465 with the NV4500. So if using an older manual trans the hole in the bellhousing will need to be machined to to 5 1/8". From what I can tell this would move the shifter back about 5 1/2" from the stock location.

[Captainfab]

To me the hydraulic clutch would not be a problem. You could piece together your own setup or buy the kit like sleepysal did on his '60. The same kit would work for retrofitting the '63-'66's as well.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...draulic+clutch

TR65 did a hydraulic conversion on his with similar components

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=1#post2818232

[dreamtruckproject]

Yep, a hydro clutch is not a big deal to adapt, but not needed if you use the adapter plate. Another benefit is that some of the 4500s came with a driveline ebrake mounted on the back. The more I look at the NV4500 option the more I am sold on doing it.

[Captainfab]

So the Dodges have a mechanical clutch?

[dreamtruckproject]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

So the Dodges have a mechanical clutch?

No, but the Dodge input shaft is 1 inch longer than the GM versions. It allows the room for the 1 inch adapter plate that allows the NV4500 to bolt to the origional GM bellhousing, with the caveat that the bearing retainer hole in the bellhousing is 5 1/8". This means that you can use whatever clutch setup that is currently in the truck and basically just swap the transmission itself. Of course there is more needed like crossmember fabrication, moving the shifter hole in the floor, and making the shifter the right length. But the adapter plate would make it a lot easier than trying to use the NV4500 bellhousing. Basically if the clutch in your truck is in good shape and you are replacing a SM465, there is no need to even remove the bellhousing, just swap the transmissions. For the SM420 or the smaller 3 and 4 speeds the bell housing would need to be machined out to the 5 1/8" size.

[blackedoutharley]

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/GM...it-Select.aspx

Not the NV trans but another option available for our trucks