If you want to swap out your th350/203 combo for the 465/203 combo, there some issues to contend with. You don't need to swap input shafts/output safts. Just yank your 350/203 combo, and stick the 465/203 combo back in. You need a flywheel for your motor, NOT a flexplate. You'll need a pilot bearing. You'll need a clutch, 12". You'll need the clutch pedal assembly from a manual trans truck. You'll need all the linkage from the pedals down to the tranny. You'll need the bracket on the frame from a manual trans truck that the clutch rod and z-bar mount too. It's riveted on from the factory, so it might be easier to fabricate one. If you're planning on a hydralic clutch, you'll need all the corisponding parts from a hydralic clutch equiped truck. Your crossmember will work, you'll just have to redrill the mounting holes in the frame. You have to drop the steering column to mount the new brake/clutch pedal assembly. You'll need to either cut a hole on the floor for the shifter, or get the tranny tunnel cover from a manual trans truck. You'll probably need to get your driveshafts lengthened/shortened.
As far as the 203 being weak, thats absolutley NOT true. The chain in those things is like 5" wide. If a 203 is in good shape, they're pretty hard to blow up. They just get a bad rap because every 203 out there is atleast 26 years old, with a bazillion hard miles, and prolly never been maintained. Of course the chain stretches, and can get loose enough to break...but if it breaks it not because it's inherently weak. It's because it's worn out. Worn out stuff always breaks easily. So if your really up to all the work involved in this swap, go for it.
Before anyone starts sqwakin at me about any of the stuff I just said, I've done the exact same swap this guy wants to do. I ran a th350/203 combo in my 76 for the first year or so, swapped to a 402 big block, an the th350 died within 2 weeks. Swapped in a TH400/208 (another chain driven t-case) next, and broke the tranny case right next to the adapter. Picked up a 465/203 combo from a buddy for a $100 and have been running it ever since. I'll never have another suto trans in a wheelin rig again. The 203 lived behind the 402 big block for another year or so with no problems. The 402 was no slouch either...I'd guess right around 350hp. And I didn't baby it, that 203 took a beating. Now my rig runs a bone stock goodwrench 350, the same 465/203, but with a doubler behind it now.
Have fun with your swap if you decide to do it...Just be warned, its ALOT of work. And time.
: is there a manual+np203 combo? what sort of gearbox is in front of that?( i now the shiftpatron is L,1,2,3 and of course backwards) a guy is asking about 350 dollars for it ) 300 Euro,s(i live in The Netherlands) its complete with the crossmember, gearshifter,flywheel, complete with pedal and cable and transfercase(np 203?) will this fitt behind my actuel combination 383 stroker,th350,np203? and if not what would i need?( the 383 stroker has a 400 flexplate or not?)
