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Thoughts on buying a used SM465

yakmastermax

yakmastermax

1/2 ton status
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Feb 4, 2012
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Location
Albuquerqu NM/ Austin TX
My 4 speed is out. It is either the 2nd/3rd syncro or maybe the actual gear. Anyway, I was originally considering an NV4500 swap but then I decided on buying a re-manufactured sm465. Problem is, the only ones I can find run about 750 dollars. Now I'm looking at buying a used SM465. I found a vendor on ebay who has a TON of positive feed back. I talked to him and he says he visually inspects all his transmissions and has never had any problems. The thing is, there is no warranty offered and it is a used tranny. My question to you guys is this: Knowing the nature of the SM465 do you think it is safe to buy a "used good working condition" ebay transmission.

The most attractive part, the transmission is 350 dollars shipped no core charge. So I can rebuild my core myself while driving around with the used one in. Also the cheapest I can find locally on Craigslist are all 200-300 and either from wrecks or pull a parts. I somehow feel like buying from an ebay vendor might be even safer than that.


Thanks for the advice everyone.
 
Im assuming the blazer in question is your primary mode of transportation? I ask because it sounds like you are capable of rebuilding the trans yourself, which would be the cheapest and most reliable option if you know what you're doing. So I'm guessing you need something to drive quick fast in a hurry...

That being said, buying a visually inspected item, with no warranty, means there could be metal fatuige on a part that just hasnt failed yet, and could fail 10 feet into your first drive, or never fail, its a crap shoot. no matter how good or nice the guy is, thats the reason he offers no warranty. butt coverage.

If you were just replacing the trans for good, Id get the rebuilt one with new components you dont have to worry about (as much, new parts do sometimes fail). but if you're using a place holder while you rebuild the one you have, go with the used one.
 
Not primary but it does have to at least help me move my stuff back to school. Once I am back in school I can go months without NEEDing the car. I plan on bringing the old trans with me and rebuilding it once I get moved in.

Thanks for the input.
 
the other option would be to price out renting a moving vehicle of some sort, or borrowing someone elses truck/van/hatchback/winebego/red rider wagon.

depending on your moving situation, renting a temporary vehicle, or borrowing one, will not only be cheaper than buying a used tranny, but will also be quicker because you wont have to wait on shipping/installing said transmission.

I rented a brand new Audi A4 for a company event, for a weekend, and I think it was only $140 or something like that.
 
Buy a used craigslist or junkyard one for the time being, 95% chance it will run for you.

If you're in our area, we have a ton I'm sure we'd be willing to get rid of :deal:
 
I would get a used one,either from a private seller or a salvage yard--most reputable yards will give at least a 30 day warranty,if not more,but they may only swap another one for it if it proved defective ,not refund cash--a used one is a lot less $$$$ and will probably be in decent condition..I see quite a few old DPW trucks in junkyards that have SM465's,though they get used hard,the trucks were also fleet maintained on a strict schedule,so the drive trains are usually in above average shape.....................................................................................................An SM465 is about the most bullet proof tranny GM had,and unless it was in a one ton dump that was beaten hard (like hauling a sander and a plow) constantly,chances are it will be in nice shape still...about the only problems they had were popping out of third gear after high miles,or when a snap ring broke on the mainshaft,(fairly rare),and idiots who'd try jamming it into the granny low gear while moving,its not synchromesh and has straight cut gears,which can get chipped if abused that way...other than that they are "indestructo"...one thing to watch for,if you buy an older one with the ten spline output shaft,make sure the splines aren't worn out on the shaft..the later 32 spline ones rarely have any troubles there...
 
Dad paid $300 for one that was in "excellent condition". Of course, it looks fine, but easily (and regularly) pops out of 2nd. It's older than '85, but had been through solvent to make it look good for the sale.

Mine is an '85 or later, and just recently had it pop out of gear going downhill in 2nd over washboard at fairly low speed. I've got a spare, I'll be rebuilding it at some point apparently.

My opinion is that if you can in any way do it, buy one as a rebuilder, and drive yours as it is. If you can get one from a wrecking yard with warranty, you could certainly swap it out with what you have, and rebuild yours, but swapping a tranny only to find out it's bad, sucks, even if it is under warranty.
 
J.C. Whitney was selling a special part to replace the snap ring in the mainshaft that sometimes broke on the SM465's ,and would allow the gears to pop out under load..that could be installed thru the PTO covers without having to take out the tranny.......................................................................................................it looked to me like a 2 peice shaft collar,held together with 2 allen head bolts,that was machined in its inner bore to have a "lip" that would go into the snap ring groove..they were only available for a short time it seems,then I never saw any advertised in their catalogs after that...not sure if they didn't pan out or what...but if they were still available,that would be the easiest fix to perform,rather than yank it out and do a rebuild..
 
These guys apparently make a piece to replace the snap rings that wear: http://www.anaheimgear.com/contactus.html part number may be 14020811, just over $100 from one of the threads I saw. (http://www.carolinak5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20788&postcount=2)


OP (and all with 465), if these help any, just from a quick search:
http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/sm465/index.html
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/sm465_parts.htm
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpages/chevy/131_0208_sm465_transmission_rebuild/viewall.html

Was looking for the mentioned JC Whitney piece, didn't find it.
 
I personally would look for a better deal or build what you have. I have one out of an '86 K10 that I haven't been able to sell for $100. I figure if all else, I will keep it for a spare. It was going down the road when the front driveline broke the NP208, so it must be worth something?? I have seen older ones for as low as $50 before.
 
Talked with anaheim gear yesterday. They recommended the 3rd gear/slider kit to fix the pop out of gear problem. $120. The sleeve mentioned is $10. If the fix is $120, the $10 part is a "mightaswell". Said the sleeve itself is not a fix. I should have asked, but didn't, what is done differently with their 3rd gear and slider that fixes whatever issue exists from the factory.

The shifter spring set that is mentioned, the anaheim gear rep told me it wouldn't solve the problem, so don't waste money on it.
 
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