BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Ive been talking with one of our members and it sounds like we might be meeting up soon and me walking away with a BB he has.

My question is, I cant afford to buy a new transmission right now and pick up the BB. Will my original 4sp with the granny gear standard tranny bolt right up, and will it hold up to the engine until I can put something else behind it... Im guessing about 6 months.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I think it will bolt directly to the BB. The tough part will be waiting to get something else behind it.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

SM465s are tough. I have put 400+ HP to one with no problems. I'd be more worried about the clutch and u-joints.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

The SM465 is tough as nails. I just built one for my Jimmy. If the existing clutch is in good shape you should be fine. The flywheel should bolt right up to the crank. The u-joints are relatively inexpensive and would be worth doing even for a short time. We know all to well how six months can turn into a year.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Yea, U joints are not a problem... I dont have a problem replacing the clutch either if I need to.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Only other thing to worry about is balance. GM used 3 different balances. One for the 454, one for the 400 and one for the rest.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Finding the right linkage parts can be a challenge too.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I totally forgot about the linkage issue. Those parts do vary from one application to another. I've been hunting and pecking for some of the parts I needed to finish my swap. Very good point!

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Which linkage are you refering to?

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I don't know if the Z-bar is the same for a BB as it is for a SB, or what the mounting position is for the ball stud that mounts on the engine side of the bar. I know there is a bracket that goes on a straight six but, not one on 350.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

you will need bigblock flywheel Balance is not same on smallblock

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Most sbc's are internally balanced. Depending on the size or build of your new motor will be either internal or external. The 454 is externally balanced unless its been built to be internally balanced. What motor did you end up getting? Also, I have a clutch rod still screwed into one of my blocks thats out in the shop if you need one.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I haven't got anything yet. Still working out the details

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

what about radiator... will the radiator I have work, or is there a way to tell. I know my radiator is not the stock radiator that came with the truck because my truck is a standard, but my radiator has the automatic transmission hookups with tubes cut off so I know it was pulled from something else

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I don't know much about the clutch issue, but the radiator. I had a 454 in my 67 and the stock radiator it did fine unless when cruising on a weekend night in a lot of stop and go traffic more stop than go it would get hot but as normal in town driving or highway I didn't have a bit of troubles. And they are right a 454 is externally balanced.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

I think the BB and Sb use a different bellhousing. The trans should work fine otherwise. As for the clutch linkage, I don't know.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

No, they used the same bellhousing from 250 L6's to big blocks.

Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now?
 

Well I guess I stand corrected. You know it's surprising how many things you thought you knew, aren't....:lol: