'63 K NV4500 removal / reverse build thread

[SunSoaked]

Some of that synthetic fluid leaked out of my 4500 onto the driveway last week. It penetrated the concrete and my ZEP concrete cleaner wouldn't even touch it. It beaded up and ran off like water on a duck. It must be some slippery stuff

My fluid was clear however, but it was still new (less than 200 miles).

Good thread.

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Here it is on the workbench draining the rest of the synthetic stuff. I think it left about a quart on the driveway already. I ordered a manual from Quad4x4.com so that I can see if this is going to be a DIY repair or if I have to take it in. I'll try to take more pics of the underneath of the truck while the trans is out.

[DirtyLarry]

Really cool swap. That is the beauty of divorced transfercases, you can easily swap just about any transmission combination in there with ease. That looks like an early NV4500 with the nice low granny gear too! Nice work and sweet truck!

['63GENIII]

Thanks for all the compliments. This is my third. I started with a '62, then a
'64 and now the '63. I like this one the best so far. Maybe because this is the only one that I've been able to get running and roadworthy too!

Hey Jack you've got some pretty cool trucks yourself! Love that bodystyle too. Wish I could have a Chevy "preserve" where I could keep all the ones I like. It's a sickness I think.

61K10 - My kid brother is down in Roseville not too far. Love that truck of yours too. There used to be a guy around here with a '60 3/4t fleet BBW but I think the uppity neighbors either ran him out or he got rid of the truck. no appreciation for the "patina".

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Really cool swap. That is the beauty of divorced transfercases, you can easily swap just about any transmission combination in there with ease. That looks like an early NV4500 with the nice low granny gear too! Nice work and sweet truck!

Hey Larry, First off I'd like to personally thank you for all of the super detailed posts on your swap. Your truck to me is the armageddon truck and the trips you take with it are awesome! If I ever get some time off, a trip like those would be my ideal vacation! I'd also like to blame youre making it look easy which lit a fire under my*ss to do this swap! In all seriousness though, I was on the fence between a 4L80E and the NV. It was your thread that made gave me much of the info I needed to even attempt this swap.
The guy I got it from said it was out of a '95 but it has a build date on the tag of 10/29/92 and yes it does have the lower 1st gear. That gear is really low. Starting out in 2nd seemed comfortable for the few miles that I did get to drive it. The short shift throw is what's really impressive. I grew up with sm420's, 465's, a T19 (I think) and even a Clark 5 spd. The NV shifts like a race car compared to anything I'd ever known.
As far as the divorced set up goes, I've heard some people say that it's just another set of U joints to worry about. I don't worry about it too much as I try to keep an eye on that stuff and usually things don't get too out of shape before I fix them. I too like the setup for the flexibilty it has and the easier driveshaft angles.
I picked up a divorced 205 after hearing that the T221's were prone to burning up. While not as strong as the 205, the 221 has held up real well since I got the truck. The 205 is just sitting for now. Someday.
Thanks for the kind words and the great reading material. Hopefully the manual comes tomorrow so I can start trying to get it back on the road!

['63GENIII]

So my manual showed up from quad4x4 yesterday. It seems detailed enough that Im confident that I can pull this job off. Upon looking closer and with the book in hand, it does look as if the third gear syncros are hosed as well as the third gear syncro teeth (meaning a whole new third gear) and the 3-4 syncro ring. The manual says that the two most common causes for 3-4 syncro failure are; a. wrong or dirty fluid or b. excessive mainshaft endplay. I was able to check endplay without completely disasembling the unit and it seems within the specs.
After thinking about what SunSoaked said about the condition of his fluid, the gear oil smell that I first noticed, the color of the fluid after I drained it and all the black "silt" in the bottom of the trans, I'm inclined to think that it was just the wrong fluid used in the past sometime. Which is the best bad news I could get right now.
At the moment, I'm collecting the tools needed to do the dissasembly / reassembly and may even make a couple of the puller collets as I really have to try to not spend alot of $ where I don't need to. I stopped reading the required special tool list when I hit about 700 bucks. So far I picked up a floor press off of C.L. today for 80$ and ordered a bearing splitter / puller set which started out at 140 + tax and ended up at 90 (with some price matching) including tax and shipping. I figure I can use the stuff again when it comes time to do axle bearings and seals on the wifes Yukon.
Untill its completely apart, Im really not going to know the full extent of the damage but at first look, I may be into this for around 275 + tools if Im lucky. Im still fairly p.o.'d at the guy who sold it to me for not being honest but I figure I've got to let that go. At least I'm learning more about something that I'd never otherwise have a chance to learn about.
I tried taking pics of the syncros but the camera couldn't focus in on the small teeth that are messed up. I'll try again while dissasembling and may have a better shot. I would like to post pics of the tools that work and hopefully save some money over the "specialty tools" in hopes of saving someone else a couple of bucks too.

[low67chevy]

The first pic of the inside of the tranny dude is the mainshaft assembly and the 2nd is the counter shaft just below it , the NV series of transmissions are very easy to rebuild ONCE you have most of the special tools lol remember also to make sure you put loctite on that 5th gear retaining nut if and when you get it off to rebuild it, if not your gonna be in a world of pain later on when all of a sudden you lose 5th gear.

If you need help with it ive rebuilt a couple of those trannys and am currently building another for my 57 chevy snow wheeling rig, shoot some questions and pics of anything that stumps you and I might be able to give you a hand.

cheers
Nick

['63GENIII]

Thanks Nick. Im slowly putting together the tools which now includes the 1-1/2" socket for getting the yoke off of the back. Now I just need the time to start breaking it down. Id love to see a pic of that '57. I had one back in the day. It was 1 ton Napco with a utility bed. That had a Clark 5 spd in it. Thanks for the offer, I may have to take you up on it if I get stuck on the NV. Thanks again, Chris
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['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Some of that synthetic fluid leaked out of my 4500 onto the driveway last week. It penetrated the concrete and my ZEP concrete cleaner wouldn't even touch it. It beaded up and ran off like water on a duck. It must be some slippery stuff

My fluid was clear however, but it was still new (less than 200 miles).

Good thread.

I threw the kitchen sink at it as soon as I got it moved. Foamy Engine Brite, Castrol Oil Eater and then some old school regular Tide (not that HE stuff either!) It cleaned up pretty well but it's also been dark every time I've had a chance to look. Funny you mention yours was clear. Mine was clear going in but black coming out. ..Less than 5 miles. Looks like I flushed out the old syncro material I guess. I think I may have to find a cheaper flushing oil! LOL