Auto to Manual swap.....

[Ben B.]

Alright guys, just scored an SM465 in perfect working order for 150 bucks....Craziness. I bought it, of course.

Now the problem. I'm currently running a TH350, so i'm going to have to do alot of stuff. The problem is i'm a newbie mechanic, and wouldn't have a clue what to do.

Will the SM465 bolt right on to my NP208?

Could you guys run me through every thing i would need, parts wise and the pros/cons of doing this?

 

[79k20350]

not to rain on your parade, but you got alot of parts to gather, and you got a pretty bad deal. you should have been able to find one cheaper than that. is the tranny 10 spline or 32? does the transmisson have an adapter? if so what does it look like? do you want to go hydro clutch or manual. remember, you need pedals, possibly an adapter, either mechanical or hydraulic setup, clutch kit and flywheel. between all of that your looking at a good chunk of change. personally i went with a 4 speed swap and love it, its harder to drive but alot more fun and i like being able to control the power.

 

[uglyangelracing]

to bad gcould have made you a good deal on a setup minus the pedals

 

[captaininsano]

I did mine awhile back, however I went to SM465 / Np205.

You'll need an adapter for the SM465 to NP208. AdvanceAdapters has one if you don't have one and can't find one.

For the swap the short list is:

- Manual Tranny Flywheel
- Clutch assembly (I went with Dual Centerforce, no problems, works great)
- Pedal assembly for clutch/brake pedal (junk yard)
- Clutch Master Cylinder if you go hydro (http://www.novak-adapt.com/)
You can get a hydro kit from them, I strongly suggest it.
The z-bar linkage sucks, and converting to it will suck even more.
- Driveshafts re-fitted most likely

 

[Brocky]

Well, thanks for listing it again. I am down too the clutch and the linkage. Is there any rig like S10 or 88 - up that has hydro that is an easy swap?

 

[eshorvath]

Advance Adapter does not have the 208-465 adapter yet. They told me they are still developing it.

 

[tRustyK5]

85-91 GM C and K trucks all had the hydro clutch set-up.

Rene

 

[big83chevy4x4]

any full size, (blazer, burb, truck, 2wd or 4wd) from 85 and newer with a stick has the hydro clutch. i got all my stuff from a 88 C30 cab and chassis.
nothing from a s10, besides the reservoir, will work on a full size.

 

[Brocky]

Thanks again. Trying to get it all done to get rid of burning tranny smell and grrrr 203 case. Back to the shopping tomarrow. Local scrap yard is being shut down and a crusher is sitting there so I have to be quick to get what I need. They also got a 74 Full convertable there, I might take the cap incase I feel the need to chop my 78. Too bad someone else claimed the doors. Now how am I getting that home with a Blazer. hehe

 

[tRustyK5]

Remove your half top and bolt the full top to your truck backwards...aside from looking stupid it should work fine.


Rene

 

[Brocky]

I wasn't thinking like that. Good idea. I dont mind looking stupid in the K5, people drive Jeeps dont they. Still trying to picture it coming down the road with the cap on there.

 

[RootBreaker]

if you are still looking for parts lemme know your list...

I sold a mess of my stuff.. however some didnt sell yet...

I still have the clutch pedal assembly... I took my 1978 pedal assembly out and put a 1985 fullsize jimmy assembly in (went to hydro clutch) and it was the same.... so someone can chime in if this will work for ya...

I have 2 flywheels ($125 new - $75 to resurface) but in good condition
I have a new clutch fork (paid $25)
clutch pedal assembly (clutch pedal, brake pedal and housing) for mech clutch
zbar part and adjuster (one part stuck to my frame to which I havent taken off yet)
return spring to clutch fork...

I sold the stock clutch rod that went throught the floor... but have one I can give ya that is setup for a 3" body lift.... either put a body lift on or cut it and re-weld it (we had to cut it and weld the spacer in for the body lift)

also I sold a smc465 mated to a np208... well the guy bought the 465... it had a long 32 spline tailshaft different than the smc465/np205 setup.... so hope ya got the correct tailshaft setup....

 

[Ben B.]

Well as it so happens me and my buddy struck up a deal with the guy, so i'm getting a rebuilt 350, the SM465 and Np205, all from the same truck, and my buddy will have the truck, so i should have all the parts i need.
Thanks for all the info guys. Picking up stuff every day.