Sm420 removal

[62stepside longbox]

I'm ready to remove my sm420 to replace it with a t5. Any tips on removing it? Will it be easier if the truck is jacked up? I'm thinking I'll jack the truck up, disconnect the driveshaft, put a jack under the tranny, take out the bolts holding it to the bellhousing, disconnect the speedo cable and it should slide out? What about getting around the long shifter that seems to be unremovable? Any help appreciated.
Nik

[1strong63]

You need to push in the small sheetmetal cover/shield right where the shifter comes out and rotate it about 45 degrees to the left. The cover/shield is spring loaded.
i remove mine holding it using an engine crane and straps but you'll have to remove the bench. anyway if you change your tranny you'll have to modifiy the tunnel so you have to remove it at the end.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

I'm ready to remove my sm420 to replace it with a t5. Any tips on removing it? Will it be easier if the truck is jacked up? I'm thinking I'll jack the truck up, disconnect the driveshaft, put a jack under the tranny, take out the bolts holding it to the bellhousing, disconnect the speedo cable and it should slide out? What about getting around the long shifter that seems to be unremovable? Any help appreciated.
Nik

You'll wanna have the truck on jack stands. lol Also will want the seat and tranny tunnel removed. Also like mentioned there will be a small metal shield covering the stick....just push down and rotate until it pops out. Back underneath, you'll wanna pull the inspection cover just in case you have to line the clutch disc back up....shouldn't have to because it will be closed but its only a few bolts so I would. With all that said the tranny Should pull straight out...mind you it has been 50+ years. lol So you may have to jerk and groan on it a little. So your new T5 doesn't require a different spline clutch?

[62stepside longbox]

Tj: no my t5 has a different input shaft with a ten spline

[62stepside longbox]

So I remove the tunnel just to pop out the shield. Does the tranny have to be brought up through the tunnel or can it be lowered and dropped?

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

So I remove the tunnel just to pop out the shield. Does the tranny have to be brought up through the tunnel or can it be lowered and dropped?

Should be able to lower it.

[62stepside longbox]

Ok I think I have all the info I need. I will try to tackle the removal today

[1strong63]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Should be able to lower it.

i drop it using the engine crane to help put it on a rolling cart on the floor. handle it by the top is just to make things easier and don't play the hulk with a 150 lbs tranny over your head while under the truck.

[Brad54]

I found it was impossible to get mine out from UNDER the truck, but it slid out nicely from inside, through the trans tunnel.

A factory shop manual is your friend for projects like this.

-Brad

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 1strong63

i drop it using the engine crane to help put it on a rolling cart on the floor. handle it by the top is just to make things easier and don't play the hulk with a 150 lbs tranny over your head while under the truck.

Yeah, I pulled the engine and tranny as one piece from my 66.....was easy cause I had nothing but the engine and tranny left on the frame! haha 4 guys coulda lifted it out.

[AcampoDave]

I remove and install those with an engine hoist coming in thru the passenger door.

[62stepside longbox]

Well I did it . Really heavy, 135 lbs. jacked up the truck, disconected everything, unbolted while being supported by a rolling jack, rolled it back then lowered it down. Took about 2 hours.

[62stepside longbox]

Here's the new t5. S10 tail-housing so it will work with a bench seat, ten spline jeep input shaft with shortened pilot tip and shortened bearing retainer. Should get it installed tomorrow

[62stepside longbox]

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