Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dragn91 · 01-28-2018, 07:21 PM

Was wondering if the bellhousing would hold up it seems kind of light aluminum its a factory nv4500 bellhousing i cut a window into and had a buddy tig weld the clutch ball and clutch fork boss from the sm465 trans into. Will it put too much stess on the bellhousing to have that heavy ass nv4500 hanging from it wile i drop the engine in? The np205 is not on yet because i still need to source a short 32spline input for it. Im gona pull the core support out to make things easier but i dont have a trans jack so i didnt want to try to stab that thing in from under it was bad enough lifting it an inch or so to get it bolted up

**mongocanfly** · 01-28-2018, 08:51 PM

when I was installing my nv I ran ratchet straps under the trans and hooked them on the frame rails...just rachet them up and they'll hold...they were also helpful when lining up the input shaft..

Tiger Joe · 01-28-2018, 10:25 PM

Yes. Just swung in a bbc and nv4500 together this summer no issues

**mongocanfly** · 01-28-2018, 11:27 PM

I mis-read what you asked... I had my trans in place before I installed engine...

'63GENIII · 01-28-2018, 11:44 PM

I dropped mine in with the trans attached. It was pretty awkward even with the front clip off the truck. As soon as I got it in, I had to pull the trans out anyway to clearance the BH for the clutch I am running. I left the engine in to pull the trans even though I hadn't even bolted the engine in yet.

FWIW, Im running the AA adapter BH.

I do think you'll be ok with the stock BH though. I know what you mean about wondering if it will be strong enough. They are kinda pinch looking compared to the older BHs.

b454rat · 01-29-2018, 07:14 AM

I parted a 2000 with a 350/4500/BW all in one piece. I wanted to separate the t-case, but couldn't get in there.

Tiger Joe · 01-29-2018, 09:54 AM

forgot to ask what year?

I know you said you don't have a trans jack, but when we did my 79, we had nothing but the freshly painted cab and honestly it was TOO close to scratching the cab with the engine and trans on the load leveler. I would spend the $100 and get a trans jack from harbor freight and put the trans is by itself if I had to do it again

Richard2112 · 01-29-2018, 10:14 AM

I understand lacking faith in the alum bell housing to support the trans (although I'm told it's fine). When I installed my NV4500 I used the cast iron BH but still installed and additional crossmember below it so as not to stress the bolts in the bell housing.

For my '70 C-30 (2wd), a cross member from a 85 P-30 fit nearly perfect under the transmission case. I didn't (couldn't) bolt the cross member to the trans but shimmed it with a half inch rigid rubber. Didn't trust the aluminum extension housing at the tail of the transmission either so my transmission is bolted at the BH and rests it's weight on the P-30 cross member.

That may come in handy when I do any future clutch work because (in theory) I should be able to just unbolt the trans from the motor and slide it back

01-28-2018, 07:21 PM	#1
dragn91 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: charlestown maryland Posts: 272	Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 Was wondering if the bellhousing would hold up it seems kind of light aluminum its a factory nv4500 bellhousing i cut a window into and had a buddy tig weld the clutch ball and clutch fork boss from the sm465 trans into. Will it put too much stess on the bellhousing to have that heavy ass nv4500 hanging from it wile i drop the engine in? The np205 is not on yet because i still need to source a short 32spline input for it. Im gona pull the core support out to make things easier but i dont have a trans jack so i didnt want to try to stab that thing in from under it was bad enough lifting it an inch or so to get it bolted up

01-28-2018, 08:51 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,583	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 when I was installing my nv I ran ratchet straps under the trans and hooked them on the frame rails...just rachet them up and they'll hold...they were also helpful when lining up the input shaft.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

01-28-2018, 10:25 PM	#3
Tiger Joe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: South of Pittsburgh Posts: 425	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 Yes. Just swung in a bbc and nv4500 together this summer no issues

01-28-2018, 11:27 PM	#4
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,583	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 I mis-read what you asked... I had my trans in place before I installed engine... __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

01-28-2018, 11:44 PM	#5
'63GENIII Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Carlos, Ca. Posts: 3,048	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 I dropped mine in with the trans attached. It was pretty awkward even with the front clip off the truck. As soon as I got it in, I had to pull the trans out anyway to clearance the BH for the clutch I am running. I left the engine in to pull the trans even though I hadn't even bolted the engine in yet. FWIW, Im running the AA adapter BH. I do think you'll be ok with the stock BH though. I know what you mean about wondering if it will be strong enough. They are kinda pinch looking compared to the older BHs. __________________ Chris '63 k15 long step Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205 52" front and 63" rear spring swap D44 / 14bff - disc axles Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches 63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29

01-29-2018, 07:14 AM	#6
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,453	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 I parted a 2000 with a 350/4500/BW all in one piece. I wanted to separate the t-case, but couldn't get in there. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS

01-29-2018, 09:54 AM	#7
Tiger Joe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: South of Pittsburgh Posts: 425	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 forgot to ask what year? I know you said you don't have a trans jack, but when we did my 79, we had nothing but the freshly painted cab and honestly it was TOO close to scratching the cab with the engine and trans on the load leveler. I would spend the $100 and get a trans jack from harbor freight and put the trans is by itself if I had to do it again

01-29-2018, 10:14 AM	#8
Richard2112 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: South East Ohio Posts: 644	Re: Can i drop the engine and trans in together 454 nv4500 I understand lacking faith in the alum bell housing to support the trans (although I'm told it's fine). When I installed my NV4500 I used the cast iron BH but still installed and additional crossmember below it so as not to stress the bolts in the bell housing. For my '70 C-30 (2wd), a cross member from a 85 P-30 fit nearly perfect under the transmission case. I didn't (couldn't) bolt the cross member to the trans but shimmed it with a half inch rigid rubber. Didn't trust the aluminum extension housing at the tail of the transmission either so my transmission is bolted at the BH and rests it's weight on the P-30 cross member. That may come in handy when I do any future clutch work because (in theory) I should be able to just unbolt the trans from the motor and slide it back



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