New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**WIDESIDE72** · 08-30-2020, 03:29 PM

I am normally on the 67-72 section, as i have restored a 71 gmc C10 swb stepside and 72 chevy C10 swb stepside and currently own a 70 c20 i am swapping onto a swb chassis with an LS1/ 4L60e. (I have also owned a 55 3100 big window for 35 years (since i was 14 yo!) Last summer I stumbled across this 57 3600 NAPCO. It was missing the engine and transmission. A previous owner installed Motor mounts for “modern” side mounts. Since it is missing the engine and trans, i am contemplating installing a stock 97 Vortec 350 with a carb intake that i have in storage, along with a 1993 NV4500 trans. I Had a 1993 GMC K2500 a few years back and was impressed with this trans. I dont have a bellhousing, And the original setup for an NV4500 ised a hydraulic Clutch with the slave on the passenger side. I was looking into an oem (cheap) bellhousing to use, but the trans mounting pattern is different on those (SM420/465). So far the only option is a bellhousing from Advance Adapters (~$450) Any ideas? I suppose i could buy An oem bell and have it drilled, or drill it myself, but due to their not being any machine shops close to me, that is a hassle and i am not too confident in modding one myself.

**mongocanfly** · 08-31-2020, 07:07 AM

ive used the AA bellhousing on both my trucks...redrilling is about the only other option

Old57 · 10-14-2020, 01:00 PM

I used the bell housing from my SM465 and put it on my NV4500. I drilled and tapped the old mounting pattern on the NV4500 transmission. one hole is halfway into the original mounting hole for the NV4500, so I tapped it and threaded in a large bolt, then cut it off flush with the NV4500 case, then drilled and tapped my SM465 holes into it. The down side of doing it this way is that the bell housing now bolts to the transmission from the front inside the bell, so you can't remove the transmission from the bell while it's in the truck. I don't mind this, so that's how I did it. I then used a clutch release arm and slave cylinder from Novak to use a hydraulic clutch. I've been driving my truck for a couple years now with no issues.

Old57 · 10-14-2020, 01:04 PM

Here's a pic of the bell mounted. I don't think I took pics of the process of mounting it though.

Old57 · 10-14-2020, 01:11 PM

I did, here they are. I also used the Advance Adapters kit to mount my NP205 to the NV4500.

08-30-2020, 03:29 PM	#1
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions I am normally on the 67-72 section, as i have restored a 71 gmc C10 swb stepside and 72 chevy C10 swb stepside and currently own a 70 c20 i am swapping onto a swb chassis with an LS1/ 4L60e. (I have also owned a 55 3100 big window for 35 years (since i was 14 yo!) Last summer I stumbled across this 57 3600 NAPCO. It was missing the engine and transmission. A previous owner installed Motor mounts for “modern” side mounts. Since it is missing the engine and trans, i am contemplating installing a stock 97 Vortec 350 with a carb intake that i have in storage, along with a 1993 NV4500 trans. I Had a 1993 GMC K2500 a few years back and was impressed with this trans. I dont have a bellhousing, And the original setup for an NV4500 ised a hydraulic Clutch with the slave on the passenger side. I was looking into an oem (cheap) bellhousing to use, but the trans mounting pattern is different on those (SM420/465). So far the only option is a bellhousing from Advance Adapters (~$450) Any ideas? I suppose i could buy An oem bell and have it drilled, or drill it myself, but due to their not being any machine shops close to me, that is a hassle and i am not too confident in modding one myself. Attached Images

08-31-2020, 07:07 AM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,670	Re: New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions ive used the AA bellhousing on both my trucks...redrilling is about the only other option __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

10-14-2020, 01:00 PM	#3
Old57 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 455	Re: New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions I used the bell housing from my SM465 and put it on my NV4500. I drilled and tapped the old mounting pattern on the NV4500 transmission. one hole is halfway into the original mounting hole for the NV4500, so I tapped it and threaded in a large bolt, then cut it off flush with the NV4500 case, then drilled and tapped my SM465 holes into it. The down side of doing it this way is that the bell housing now bolts to the transmission from the front inside the bell, so you can't remove the transmission from the bell while it's in the truck. I don't mind this, so that's how I did it. I then used a clutch release arm and slave cylinder from Novak to use a hydraulic clutch. I've been driving my truck for a couple years now with no issues. __________________ My 57 GMC build

10-14-2020, 01:04 PM	#4
Old57 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 455	Re: New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions Here's a pic of the bell mounted. I don't think I took pics of the process of mounting it though. Attached Images __________________ My 57 GMC build

10-14-2020, 01:11 PM	#5
Old57 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 455	Re: New project 1957 3600 NAPCO- NV4500 swap questions I did, here they are. I also used the Advance Adapters kit to mount my NP205 to the NV4500. Attached Images __________________ My 57 GMC build



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