Drivetrain question for my C3500…

[k2mslskier]

Trying to decide what to do on this 85 Sierra I picked up last year.
It currently still has the 350/sm465 in it. Next week I’m picking up a built 454/t400 that I guy pulled from his 68 Camaro a few years ago. Has been sitting for a few years in his storage trailer with all the holes covered
Will get cleaned and freshened up before it goes in. The block numbers come out to 75-90 car/truck. Edelbrock intake/water pump, big ass Holley on top. He doesn’t know much about it, he didn’t build it. Says it ran great when he pulled it for another project. Sold the Camaro.

My original plan was just to hook it up to my sm465 but then he showed me something else. A Richmond Street Strip 5 speed that he had gotten several years ago for another project of his that he never used. It includes a brand new bellhousing, flywheel and clutch. $3000 for everything….engine and both trannies.

My question is will the Richmond be a viable occasional daily driver/weekend cruiser or is it more setup for racing? Will the 4.56’s in the 14ff be suitable for the OD or should I go to 3.73’s? Or should I just stick with the sm465?

The plan is to do a modest drop on it, 3” in the front 4” in the rear, and adding the longbed stepside I picked up last month.
I met this guy from buying the stepside bumper he had been sent by LMC by mistake. Ordered a fleetside but they sent the stepside. Got it for $100.

Thanks guys

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

I have no idea on transmissions but looking forward to the build

 

[HBD]

I had a doug Nash 5 speed in my 73 K20. I think it's the same trans as the Richmond. First gear was 4:41 and fifth was an overdrive maybe 0:71. The truck had 40" ground hawg tires and 4:56 gears. I could spin them in first and chirp them in second. It was fun to drive with a v-gate shifter but I could never get it to hold reverse under pressure. Chewed up the teeth on reverse gear and changed them once. After the same problem came back a second time that trans came out and the old 465 went back in. Never a problem with the 465.

 

[76zimmer]

With 4.56’s Id be looking at OD for sure.
and keep it fleetside!

 

[RonSSwright]

Trying to decide what to do on this 85 Sierra I picked up last year. View attachment 467513
It currently still has the 350/sm465 in it. Next week I’m picking up a built 454/t400 that I guy pulled from his 68 Camaro a few years ago. Has been sitting for a few years in his storage trailer with all the holes covered View attachment 467516
Will get cleaned and freshened up before it goes in. The block numbers come out to 75-90 car/truck. Edelbrock intake/water pump, big ass Holley on top. He doesn’t know much about it, he didn’t build it. Says it ran great when he pulled it for another project. Sold the Camaro.

My original plan was just to hook it up to my sm465 but then he showed me something else. A Richmond Street Strip 5 speed that he had gotten several years ago for another project of his that he never used. It includes a brand new bellhousing, flywheel and clutch. $3000 for everything….engine and both trannies.

My question is will the Richmond be a viable occasional daily driver/weekend cruiser or is it more setup for racing? Will the 4.56’s in the 14ff be suitable for the OD or should I go to 3.73’s? Or should I just stick with the sm465?

The plan is to do a modest drop on it, 3” in the front 4” in the rear, and adding the longbed stepside I picked up last month. View attachment 467520
I met this guy from buying the stepside bumper he had been sent by LMC by mistake. Ordered a fleetside but they sent the stepside. Got it for $100.View attachment 467521

Thanks guys

The richmond wont be able to handle towing. The richmond is great if your going to use the truck as if it were a car. Once you break that commitment- you'll probably break the tranny. The sm465 is a true truck tranny. The sm465 really doesnt work well if used like a car. The 400T will work well as either a truck or a car!

 

[k2mslskier]

Picked it up today. Decided against the Richmond, going to stick with the sm465 for now. Got the turbo400 as well, that will probably go in the 65 along with the 350 out of the 85 after I stroke it.

Pretty clean on the inside. I think it will be a good addition to the truck. Time to tear into it and clean her up.

Fleetside??? Naaaahhhh. Stepsides RULE!!

 

[folkenheath]

Picked it up today. Decided against the Richmond, going to stick with the sm465 for now. Got the turbo400 as well, that will probably go in the 65 along with the 350 out of the 85 after I stroke it.

Pretty clean on the inside. I think it will be a good addition to the truck. Time to tear into it and clean her up.

Fleetside??? Naaaahhhh. Stepsides RULE!!

Engine looks clean...

What is that mark on the one lobe, can't tell from the picture...?

 

[tarussell]

Picked it up today. Decided against the Richmond, going to stick with the sm465 for now. Got the turbo400 as well, that will probably go in the 65 along with the 350 out of the 85 after I stroke it.
View attachment 468092View attachment 468093View attachment 468094View attachment 468095View attachment 468096View attachment 468097
Pretty clean on the inside. I think it will be a good addition to the truck. Time to tear into it and clean her up.

Fleetside??? Naaaahhhh. Stepsides RULE!!

IIRC those heads are late 60’s castings oval ports , closed chambers ( about a 100cc’s ) - not the most sought after old ovals but they’re still good heads and will breath well and still be torque monster producing
Good stuff !