1967 Chevrolet transfercase

[Wardo_17]

Hello everyone I’m new to the forum. I know many of you are very Knowledgable and will hopefully be able to point me in the right direction. I recently bought a 1967 Chevrolet pickup. It’s a 1967 Chevrolet body on a 1967 gmc 4x4 frame. The previous owner body swapped it so it would be a 4 wheel drive truck. Anyways The other day it snowed so I warmed my truck up and put into 4x4. I sat there for about 15 minutes until it was fairly warm and began to leave the driveway. I made it about 100 feet before I heard a Big Bang and looked under to see my transfer case had shattered. Now I looked on the transfercase but couldn’t find any tags to tell me what it is. It’s a 305 gmc v6 matched with what I think Is a Rockwell t221 but I’m not certain. I’m also trying to find a transfer case to replace it but really I don’t know where to start on finding something that old. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

- Christian
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[Wardo_17]

Here’s the transfercase
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[Wardo_17]

Originally Posted by Wardo_17

Here’s the transfercase
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Posted via Mobile Device

[Wardo_17]

Can’t figure out how to attach a second picture

[Wardo_17]

Here we go

[mongocanfly]

Welcome....
Right side up...
Looks like it was bad low on oil if that's all that ran out....

[mongocanfly]

Does it look like this?....T221
Might try here.......https://torqueking.com/category/1967...transfer-case/

[mongocanfly]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=303042

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=181958

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575409

[Orange Crate]

Are you sure both axles have the same ratio?

[B. W.]

Looks like a 221. You can surf CL, I've seen a few now & then around here. Overall, it's probably cheaper to convert to a 205. there are some threads on here about that.

Did a quick search:

https://spokane.craigslist.org/pts/d...821149612.html

[kwmech]

Why does it look like the bolt on the cover is backed out in the pic.

Plus if it is a true 67 it will have a 420 trans, swapping over to a 465/205 would be the best in the long run. Will need a bell housing also for the swap for the larger pilot hole

[raylube]

The 305 v6 bellhousing center hole is too small for the sm465. As far as I know there is not a larger one available. Would need to have it machined to fit. Either find new t221 or sm465 with np205. Don't scrap the broken t221 as I am looking for some parts. Pm me for info

[gmc684x4]

I blew mine in my 68 gmc years back at that time i could not find any parts to rebuild it lucked out scrounging junk yards to get anouther rockwell Tcase
put it in first and 4 Lo man could that truck pull
I do have 3 of these in my back yard shiping would be a bear

another option like mentioned start looking for tranny transfer case with both drive shafts from a 69-72 chevy gmc truck as the Np 205 setup trucks use different length drive shafts

Rockewell set up rear Driveshaft is longer and front is shorter
Np205 setup rear drive shaft is shorter and front is longer

in the 1970s the spline count changed on the output shaft too on a 205 so best to find a matched set

how much do you use that bo low ?
rockwell has a lower 4 lo then the 205 and go with what parts you find

[2 Stovebolts]

Realizing this is an older post....I'm new to Rockwell 221 and just curious to the general consensus....Mine is whiny, and what would have cause to one in this post to break like it did....providing both front & rear ratios are the same.....

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by 2 Stovebolts

Realizing this is an older post....I'm new to Rockwell 221 and just curious to the general consensus....Mine is whiny, and what would have cause to one in this post to break like it did....providing both front & rear ratios are the same.....

If yours is noisy, could be a bad bearing(especially the input shaft bearing) or could also be a case of mismatched or slightly pitted gears. Many of these trucks have had parts swapped out or sat for awhile in the last 50+ years. Either of these conditions will make a case that already runs a little loud even louder, but will not kill it.
As far as why the above case blew up I would think maybe badly corroded parts from sitting too long in a field somewhere, or most likely it was out of oil. That would kill this or any other old mechanical part.
If you have a 221 with decent bearings (still available) keep it full of CLEAN oil and don't put 400 HP through it ,it should out last you.
All this is just my opinion, for what its worth.
Enjoy your truck, Tom

[2 Stovebolts]

Tom.....Thanks for your reply...A bit of history on the truck....As best as I can tell this must have been a one owner truck for at least 45 years....The guy I got the truck from got it from an estate....It has the original carb & radiator, so I doubt there's a lot of non original parts on it....I just recently got it and not had much time to fuss with it, but in the short distance that I drove it, I did hear it whine. I do intend to flush both differentials, the transfer case & transmission...hopefully before winter....From what I'm reading the T 221 is a tough unit, but very sensitive,...with failure out of neglect....I was just fishing for information on what I should look for....I don't plan on using it much other than an occasional drive....Its just an odd, neat & rare appearing truck that i fell in love with at first sight....

['63GENIII]

I think the 221s have a reputation for being a durable enough unit since their inception. I ran the one I have behind a 396, towing or hauling anything that I wanted for many years without much more than noise or the heat that is common to them.

They are a little quirky though in that they have an idler gear that power is transmitted though whether you're in 2wd or 4wd. The result is lower driveline angle but also extra heat due to the extra gear and bearings. This also makes it critical to keep it full of clean oil. Good bearings will help the seals do their job and keep the oil where its supposed to stay.

As short 3/4 said, quality bearings are still available as are the seals. Some of the other "hard parts" can be source online used. If you're just driving it occasionally, Id do a gear oil change on it and keep an eye on the level until you know it doesn't leak. If it's a leaker, they're clothes pin simple to rebuild.

As far as why the one in the first post broke... could be a million different things but I don't think that would be a good example of a 221 common failure. The oil in that thing looked like roofing tar. Probably original transfer case oil in it.

[61K10]

if you up-grade to a 205/465 just get a bell-housing from a 68 up tk

[2 Stovebolts]

So the bell housing is the only thing needed? -

[61K10]

x-member and new drive shafts

[El Dorado Jim]

so what happened to Wardo 17? the original poster ?