tunedportk5
1/2 ton status
I broke two t350 at the bell housing on a 78 blazer that I had and I didn't even know there was suppose to have braces on that one. On my 84 it has the braces and I haven't broke it yet!
CK5
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How many have a transfer case brace?
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
fatbob
1/2 ton status
I believe the braces were first used to support the weight of the heavy case iron T/cases [203/205] behind the aluminum transmissions. The first braces supported the weight by attaching to the frame, in the early '70's, but since the frame and the drivetrain flex at different rates, the transmissions would still crack at two upper rear bolt holes. So the frame brace so discontined in the mid '70's. The brace from the T/case to the motor appeared in the late '70's and allowed the drive train combo to flex as a unit. The '80's brought the lighter weight aluminum T/cases, so the need for a brace was not as critical. Now I dont have a lot of facts to support this, and I know there may be a lot of exceptions, but this is how I believe the the use of the brace progressed.
PsychoticDeadGuy
1/2 ton status
i voted yes because when i drop in my 465/205 it will have the tranny crossmember and i will also make a t-case brace for it.
randy88k5
1/2 ton status
I forget the actual size. ITs metric. I think the head was a 22mm. I think I have a few extra at home. Ill measure them when Im there. If not, ill measure the ones I got on it now. Itl have to wait a few days though.jays68yak said:
EDIT: And yes, I do run that strut rod. It cant hurt.
I have a 78 NP203-TH350 (now a NP205-TH350 with the NP205 from a 72 that had the frame mount). The old NP203-TH350 had the strut that went from the tcase to a bolt on the upper passanger side of the tranny. This bolt on the tranny got loose and fell out. The strut would hit the tcase and make all sorts of noise. I removed it and still have it saved. No bolt is in this hole. Does any one know what sized bolt went into this? I may use some rethreads and find a strut that would work for a NP205-TH350 if such one exsists.
TheEmissary
Registered Member
strut brace
The strut brace was used since 1978 on Chevrolet/GMC 4 x 4s with a THM400, 350, or 4L60/700R4. Without the strut brace, the tranny bellhousing will splinter leading to a new tranny case.
The 350 and 700 strut brace is the same when coupled to an NP208/241. I have always reused the strut brace with a passenger car THM350-C case in years past until I swapped in a 4L60 non-electronic (700R4 to a few old schoolers).
I have not splintered a tranny case; the only splinters on my framerails are the upper shock mounts which will require a welder.
The strut brace was used since 1978 on Chevrolet/GMC 4 x 4s with a THM400, 350, or 4L60/700R4. Without the strut brace, the tranny bellhousing will splinter leading to a new tranny case.
The 350 and 700 strut brace is the same when coupled to an NP208/241. I have always reused the strut brace with a passenger car THM350-C case in years past until I swapped in a 4L60 non-electronic (700R4 to a few old schoolers).
I have not splintered a tranny case; the only splinters on my framerails are the upper shock mounts which will require a welder.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
On my K30 th400/np205 I have the struts that go from the engine mounts to the th400 inspection cover. I did run it without the struts for a few years, luckily nothing cracked. However, I know of 3 trucks that ran their setup without the struts and ended up with cracked trannies - after I found this out I put my struts back on in a hurry. I couldn't find the original struts since I did a 350 to 454 swap, so I just made some up with some steel rod and some flat iron. It was easy to fab up. I would advise to run struts - cheaper than fixing things AFTER they crack. If your not gonna run struts, and if things do crack, your gonna put the struts in after you fix it anyways, right? Just do it now.
TheEmissary
Registered Member
motor mount/bellhousing triangulation strut braces
There are three strut braces on a GMT 4 x 4:
1) the bellhousing to transfer case strut
2) the two struts which bolt to the motor frame bracket and alloy bellhousing
The purpose of running all three struts is when the transfer case is engaged while experiencing the trail - to stabliize the powertrain. Although my art vehicle has not been off-roaded (with the exception of potholes and road construction sites in the Houston Metro area), I have not experienced a splintered tranny case.
There are three strut braces on a GMT 4 x 4:
1) the bellhousing to transfer case strut
2) the two struts which bolt to the motor frame bracket and alloy bellhousing
The purpose of running all three struts is when the transfer case is engaged while experiencing the trail - to stabliize the powertrain. Although my art vehicle has not been off-roaded (with the exception of potholes and road construction sites in the Houston Metro area), I have not experienced a splintered tranny case.
78Suburban
1/2 ton status
I have braces
if anyone needs pics of the braces, I can take some. I'm about done with my motor swap now. I have the 2 braces that go from the motor mounts to the dust cover, and I have the brace that goes from the middle passenger bell housing bolt to my np203.
I kinda had a hard time getting the braces on the motor mounts back on today, maybe it had something to do with the continuous falling of grease, rust, and dirt into my eyes
James
if anyone needs pics of the braces, I can take some. I'm about done with my motor swap now. I have the 2 braces that go from the motor mounts to the dust cover, and I have the brace that goes from the middle passenger bell housing bolt to my np203.
I kinda had a hard time getting the braces on the motor mounts back on today, maybe it had something to do with the continuous falling of grease, rust, and dirt into my eyes
James
beastofablaze
1/2 ton status
I have one on my 88 silverado k5. Came with the 350/241 combo but I have a 208 in there now.
NoReGrEtS
1/2 ton status
i got a 465/208 with out one Im going to put a fresh 465/205 in.
Should I try to find a brace or is the 465 strong enough?
do the 465/? ever have braces?
Should I try to find a brace or is the 465 strong enough?
do the 465/? ever have braces?
After cracking my th400 I finally pulled them off the shelf and put em on.....Would have been alot cheaper if I wasn't so lazy.........It just took that 1 time and it was too late. Might not be a bad idea to check your motor mounts as well, mine were on the bad side so I installed the urethane inserts as well better safe than sorry this time....
Skigirl
1/2 ton status
78Suburban: pics would be great! Thanks!
the187ip
Newbie
tcase brace
i dont have one on my 203 as a matter of fact i just replaced tranny bushings on it and the tcase is givin me some probs but the brace isnt needed
i dont have one on my 203 as a matter of fact i just replaced tranny bushings on it and the tcase is givin me some probs but the brace isnt needed
I have a 465 /241 I rub my front cv on the cross member. Mine didnt come with a brace, but I may add one since I replaced all the motor/trans mount <6 mos ago
with the tranny to motor mount brace, would it be ok to just bolt the brace to the motor mount itself, because i'd have to take it all apart just to put the braces where they go in that above pic.
SUPER'BURB
1/2 ton status
Are the braces the same on a th350-np205 combo as in the pics by aflove71?
Cause I got nothing that looks like that under my rig
Cause I got nothing that looks like that under my rig
id run one if my truck had one but it doesnt and ive never seen one for a th400 to a np203. I had them on my 79 th350 with a 203 but my 74 did not come with one and the tranny already had a crack that was welded up. The np203 thats hooked to my th400 doesnt even have threaded holes in the side of the case for the brace.
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
The convertor cover in the pic, is that for TH350? If so, does anyone know where to get one, other than dismantlers? I have one for 700R4 if somebody needs one.aflove71 said:
