An answer seeker and an introduction

[Figuarus]

Hey everyone! I'm Fig, and I come to you from the Mountainous desert of Utah.

It's my understanding that your guys have lots of information that will help me keep my old girl on the road.

I do want to try to get a few things taken care of here pretty quickly before the snow flies.

I realize this is a pretty tired subject, but I need to confirm for myself what parts I will need exactly, and what I'm looking at cost wise to get some upgrades done.

That being said, The three most pressing items are heat, brakes, and transmission

As far as heat is concerned...

I just recently picked up a Harrison radiator out of a 66 C20, and installed a 195 degree thermostat. The truck definitely runs hotter now, but I am seeing a significant drop in temperature when I open up the heater flap (I have the thrift air option) The temp to the floor never really seems all that hot. It's definitely warm, just not as hot as i'd like.

Also, with the box closed, and the fan off, the temp is running hotter than half on the gauge.

Brakes: I'm deciding on this one...

I picked up my truck from my sister in Los Angeles a few months ago. The brakes work great, no issues, but I want to upgrade them as stopping with drums while on the highway is really sketchy.

From what reading I've done, the most inexpensive way to do this is the following: Swap spindle, ball joints, calipers, rotors, brake hoses, steering linkage, steering gear brake master and booster from a 73-87 2wd truck. In doing so, I will need to get larger wheels since the 15" wheels will not work with my setup. Is this correct?

regarding transmissions, I want to look at a few options. This truck had the 4 spd SM465 originally, but my brother and I swapped in a Th400 out of my father's Monte Carlo. At the moment, the trans drives and shifts just fine, but I want to look at a better option for highway driving, since most of the roads here tend to be longer highways with fewer stoplights (compared to Los Angeles) I was thinking about going to an NV3500 from my S10, but it's a 4wd version. I am also thinking about the 700R4, but am confused about needing a trans computer, and other items. If I look at any other newer transmissions (5 or 6 speed auto) I'll be opening a whole other can of worms.

I do plan on using my truck, so I need a good option for both being able to tow and haul a load of cargo, without being too much on the truck.

Any trans option will be mating to a 283 with camelback heads and a quadrajet.

thanks for the help and info guys!

[KJSR]

Welcome from Utah.

Do you have the stock fan and shroud?

I plan on swapping to a 700r4 in the near future. Pretty painless upgrade.

[Figuarus]

stock fan, yes, shroud, no. I need to either make one, or find a repro.

[Mathew21]

Welcome from Michigan.

[TJ's Chevy]

I'd put a 180 thermostat in there if I was you. As well as a fan shroud. A 4 core radiator would help to. NV3500 is a good tranny...little closer ratio then a SM465, but you'd have to swap to a hydraulic clutch far as I know. NV4500 is perrty much the same gear ratio as the SM420 and 465 but has another gear and is smoother shifting. NV3500 has a low first far as I know...but its rated at less ft pounds torque, which I'm sure you'd be fine with that 283. If yer gonna be using the truck to tow and haul..I'd say a NV4500...just for the fact you have the super low 1st...and the 5th gear..but you would need an adapter(I believe) and there are two different 1st gear ratios on these...1993 version was 6.34.1 and from 1994 on it was 5.61.1. I'm not sure if the 4500 had a manual clutch option. I'm sure others know more about then me. Hope some of this helps.

[spacedebris]

Welcome to the board. Others will be better at answering your questions but I just wanted to say.....I LOVE the paint scheme!!! Very cool!! Great looking truck.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

The 700R4 is not an electronically controlled trans. It uses the TV cable to help control it's operation. The other option as TJ mentioned is the NV3500 or NV4500. The NV3500 does not have the 'granny' low 1st gear as the NV4500 does. Both are setup with a hydraulic clutch, but the NV4500 can be converted to a mechanical clutch with the purchase of an aftermarket bellhousing from Advanced Adapters. The NV3500 can not be converted.

You can use your existing 15" wheels if they are disc brake compatible.

[Figuarus]

I LOVE the paint scheme!!!

Thanks! I can't take credit for that, My grandfather had this done in Tijuana, Mexico. I call it the Hot-Dog-on-a-stick scheme

I'd put a 180 thermostat in there if I was you. As well as a fan shroud. A 4 core radiator would help to

I had the 160 therm in there, but would drop majorly once the heater box is opened for airflow.

The NV3500 that I have does have the mated transfer case. Would it hurt anything to leave it attached other than just extra weight?

[KJSR]

I could have swore there was another thread on the thrift heater and not being very hot. All I can off of is my knowledge of the deluxe heater which seems to work well up here.....even when its in the teens.

[Captainfab]

I don't think I would do that. For one the transfercase will be hanging down an bit. You might hit it on something.

Originally Posted by Figuarus

The NV3500 that I have does have the mated transfer case. Would it hurt anything to leave it attached other than just extra weight?