Hi everyone, on my 1953 chevy 3800 flatbed i have a mild small block 350 and a SM420 manual transmission, the shifter is really in bad shape & the syncros look like their going out. also i want better mileage (as good as i can get actually) haha i really don't care about power on this truck, as long as it can get me from A-B & sound good doing it so i really want to put in a NV4500, will this transmission bolt up to my bell housing? i know ill have to shorten the driveshaft, thats not a problem but is it the same bolt pattern? my bell housing is from a 1960 chevy truck. i really want an OD 5 speed, to modern things up a bit.
'92-'94 use a unique trans to bell pattern, not the same as the 4 speeds. '95-'07 use the Dodge pattern. Best to get the bell housing with the transmission. 92-94 use an external hydraulic cylinder. Later use an internal cylinder.
Yes it will bolt right up to your 350. It does not take a bell housing like your muncie and Saginaw transmission. It splits in the middle back by the shifter so the bell housing is molded as part of the body of the trans it self. the down side is that you either have to run a hydraulic throw out or cut a window in the side trans for a clutch fork and make a small adapter for the ball then you could stock styled bell crank. I've used a couple of these trans and they work great. Cheers
The NV4500 uses a traditional style bellhousing. The smaller, aluminum 5 speeds, as well as the 6 speed manuals have an integrated bell. Relic had it right, try to find the bell with the trans if you can. It will bolt to your Chevy v8 with no issues though- might even use the same clutch depending what you have.
I'm sorry the 3500 is the one with the integrated bell housing which works great. What does the nv4500 come in?
GM applications; NV3500 was used in compact, 1/2 ton, and LD 3/4 ton trucks. NV4500 was used in HD 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks. The 3500 is lighter (110 lbs) and has closer ratios, which may be better suited to street use. The 4500 is more like the SM420, cast iron case (195 lbs) with a granny gear and wide ratios, suitable for off-road and heavy trailer towing/farm use. Dodge/Jeep also used both of these transmissions, but they have differences from the GM versions.
With a mild 350 I'd look at an AX-15 or T-5 trans. More "car like" and better ratios for daily driving, unless you use your truck as a TRUCK then go with the NV 4500
well i do intend to use my truck as a truck, i have a 1965 ford f250 thats kinda my worker, but this is going to be a 9 ft flatbed & i know i wont be able to not end up using it as a hay truck, but i was looking into ******s & i found the nv3500, i like its ratios better its still got a pretty low 1st & a good o/d. i would like to go with that one but i dont want to have to put in a hydro clutch, or mod it not to mention finding a crossmember. is the AX-15 or T5 a strong transmission? i think im gonna reserch those.
ok so i looked em up, & those are out of the question strenght-wise it seems, & while the NV3500 would be nicer for drivability, i think i might go with the NV4500 & find a way to gear my rear as high as possible, because then it would still be a pretty low/normal first & then just basically geared pretty high right? i saw some 2.73:1 gears for my 14 bolt. i would pretty much be doing a lot of highway driving, & little in town, with 29'' tires that should give me 70 mph at about 2000 RPM right? that would be ideal for my application. anybody have any input?
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