Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30

[RKS0069]

This is great info! I'm going to pull the trigger on a NV4500 swap, now I just need to figure out if I can use my sm420 bell without the adapter.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by RKS0069

This is great info! I'm going to pull the trigger on a NV4500 swap, now I just need to figure out if I can use my sm420 bell without the adapter.

Your bell housing would be the same as the one I used except that the front bearing retainer hole is the small (4-11/16") diameter instead of the 5-1/8" needed for the NV4500 transmission. You can either have yours bored out to 5-1/8" or find a bell housing from a truck with the SM465 manual transmission. (1968 up)

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

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I have had a few people ask me about transmission lube for the NV4500 so I thought I would add this information. If anyone questions it I would suggest that you research it thoroughly for yourself....

NV4500 Manual 5 speed overdrive transmission lube

I have done a lot of research on this and here is what I have found. The NV4500 is pretty much all by itself as far as fluid requirements. The trans fluids for the other 5 speeds will not work. The GM part number is 12346190 and the MoPar part number is 4874459. From what I can gather Castrol makes it and GM and MoPar rebrand it and put it in smaller containers. Castrol Syntorq (not Syntech) LT 75w85 (may also be described as 75w90) GL4 full synthetic Gear oil. The smallest container from Castrol is 15 or 16 Gal.

Amsoil MTG Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90 GL-4 is OK but it is a little thinner. If your rear seal starts leaking after filling with the Amsoil that will be the reason. The Amsoil doesn’t actually cause the leak but just exacerbates it. The Amsoil MTGQT-EA is the single quart, and the MTGQT-CA is the case of quarts.

There is a lot of mis-information on the net about this subject and everyone has to make their own decisions on it. Even though they are more expensive, one of the fluids listed above is all I will use.

LockDoc

[Richard2112]

Thanks LocKDoc
This has been a very informative read. And that a nice lookin' dually.
I'm presently rebuilding a 93 NV4500 for my 70 C-30 and have been planning to drill and bolt the case while it's stripped out.
Looks like it work well.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Thanks LocKDoc
This has been a very informative read. And that a nice lookin' dually.
I'm presently rebuilding a 93 NV4500 for my 70 C-30 and have been planning to drill and bolt the case while it's stripped out.
Looks like it work well.

Thanks. I use the truck constantly and have had zero problems with it. I am still using my Garmin as a speedometer and it works just fine. If you have any questions let me know.

LockDoc

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I have had a few people ask me about transmission lube for the NV4500 so I thought I would add this information. If anyone questions it I would suggest that you research it thoroughly for yourself....

NV4500 Manual 5 speed overdrive transmission lube

I have done a lot of research on this and here is what I have found. The NV4500 is pretty much all by itself as far as fluid requirements. The trans fluids for the other 5 speeds will not work. The GM part number is 12346190 and the MoPar part number is 4874459. From what I can gather Castrol makes it and GM and MoPar rebrand it and put it in smaller containers. Castrol Syntorq (not Syntech) LT 75w85 (may also be described as 75w90) GL4 full synthetic Gear oil. The smallest container from Castrol is 15 or 16 Gal.

Amsoil MTG Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90 GL-4 is OK but it is a little thinner. If your rear seal starts leaking after filling with the Amsoil that will be the reason. The Amsoil doesn’t actually cause the leak but just exacerbates it. The Amsoil MTGQT-EA is the single quart, and the MTGQT-CA is the case of quarts.

There is a lot of mis-information on the net about this subject and everyone has to make their own decisions on it. Even though they are more expensive, one of the fluids listed above is all I will use.

LockDoc

I just run gear oil that has the correct additive package for limited slip differentials. Maybe not what you're supposed to do, but it has done well for me.

[Mr Handy]

I have come across this thread now a few time , I am now officially on the hunt for one of these trans. Seems like a great way to keep everything I like about the sm465 and get OD.

[saxart]

Great post Leon!

Question for the NOOBIES here like me.

What does having the NV4500 gain? Your install looks very "clean" almost like a factory option. Well done!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by saxart

Great post Leon!

Question for the NOOBIES here like me.

What does having the NV4500 gain? Your install looks very "clean" almost like a factory option. Well done!

Thanks.

The NV4500 is a light truck 5 speed overdrive transmission. It still has the "granny low" gear for pulling heavy loads but it also has the overdrive (5th gear) for highway cruising.

LockDoc

[aotte1]

Thanks for a great write-up on how you did your conversion.

Working on similar conversion for a 64' K10. Doing this one using a Lakewood shatter proof bell housing. The mounting surface on it is a large flat area, allowing for NV4500 transmission holes to be drilled, unlike the stock bell housing. Welded nuts on the inside of the holes.

This was an option for me, by purchasing a used Lakewood at a swap meet for very little money. Many drag racers are going to Quick Time bell housing and sell the old, heavy, very strong Lakewood. Local swap meets where drag racers sell their used parts is a good place to find a bargain.

Using a 95' model for all the same reasons you did. Like its gear ratios.

Les

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Thanks for a great write-up on how you did your conversion.

Working on similar conversion for a 64' K10. Doing this one using a Lakewood shatter proof bell housing. The mounting surface on it is a large flat area, allowing for NV4500 transmission holes to be drilled, unlike the stock bell housing. Welded nuts on the inside of the holes.

This was an option for me, by purchasing a used Lakewood at a swap meet for very little money. Many drag racers are going to Quick Time bell housing and sell the old, heavy, very strong Lakewood. Local swap meets where drag racers sell their used parts is a good place to find a bargain.

Using a 95' model for all the same reasons you did. Like its gear ratios.

Les

Thanks Les.

I got a Lakewood scattershield with my NV4500 when I bought it that was already drilled for the trans, but I decided not to use it. Not being familiar with the Lakewood, I wasn't sure how all of the stock clutch parts would work with it. I also wanted to use the stock parts to do the writeup because most people doing the swap would already have them.

Keep us updated on your swap with the Lakewood.

LockDoc

[pulltilbroke]

Awesome read, I plan on doing this swap in a similar fashion.

My question is is there enough to room between the case side and the hole location to possibly use a 12pt or socket head caps crew on the top holes threading into the bell?

Pics of that area would be awesome

[57NAPCO]

Just curious, would a gear vendors do the same thing but with less work? It would cost more I think but for the less skilled knuckle busters it might be an option? I was thinking about it for a 1970 K10 with a SM465 and my 1984 K30/SM465.

BTW, I have a 2003 Ram 2500/5.9 with the NV5600 and love it.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

Just curious, would a gear vendors do the same thing but with less work? It would cost more I think but for the less skilled knuckle busters it might be an option? I was thinking about it for a 1970 K10 with a SM465 and my 1984 K30/SM465.

BTW, I have a 2003 Ram 2500/5.9 with the NV5600 and love it.

I am not at all familiar with the Gear Vendors overdrive. There is a ton of threads on that subject on the board so I would rather not get into that discussion in this thread, and keep it focused on the NV4500, thanks.

https://www.google.com/search?domain...D%3A1%3B&hl=en

LockDoc

[57NAPCO]

Sorry, didn’t mean to hyjack your thread.

[Ol Blue K20]

One of the awesome features of this site. Leon's experience is helping you with your installation.

[Richard2112]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

One of the awesome features of this site. Leon's experience is helping you with your installation.

That is awesome. It was this thread that helped me get mine done also. Leons info has helped alot.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

That is awesome. It was this thread that helped me get mine done also. Leons info has helped alot.

He is an awesome asset!

[aotte1]

Just got mine done, using this method. Thanks Leon.

[LockDoc]

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I'm glad the thread is still helping people with their projects. Thanks guys.

LockDoc

[mike16]

I have a question about the high hump transmission cover


Do any vendors sell a high hump transmission cover with no transmission shifter hole in it?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by mike16

I have a question about the high hump transmission cover


Do any vendors sell a high hump transmission cover with no transmission shifter hole in it?

I'm pretty sure they are reproduced but I can't tell you off the top of my head who sells them....

EDIT: https://www.classicindustries.com/product/153761.html

They are pretty proud of them. I'm sure there are other vendors that sell them too. I would put out some feelers in your area, you might get lucky....

LockDoc

[mike16]

Wow. They do think very highly of them.

[72 k15]

Sorry to bring up a old thread, but would this technique work for a 4wd nv4500 obviously id have to move the crossmember on the back. Just wondering if the 4wd has the same stick out and pilot size as the sm465

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 72 k15

Sorry to bring up a old thread, but would this technique work for a 4wd nv4500 obviously id have to move the crossmember on the back. Just wondering if the 4wd has the same stick out and pilot size as the sm465

I can't answer your question. I have a 4x4 w/NV4500 setup in a '91 Chevy but the engine and trans are still in the truck. I need to get it dismantled but I don't have time right now.

Maybe someone else will know the answer to your question.

LockDoc