SM465 NP205 Rebuild?

[koolky]

Im doing a resto on my 72. I want to know if i really need to rebuild the trans and NP205. The truck has atleast 200 000 miles on it and ran a plow for 15 years or so(In 4Hi). Last owner said he did the main bearings in the trans but never touched the transfer case. How dificult is it to do the bearings and seals on each? and rough cost? Any other info is good. Thanks

[LANDC]

I recently built my rig with the same tranny transfer combo. I didn't rebuild either one. When I got my rig on the road, it wouldn't stay in third. I had to hold it in third with a lot of force. Needless to say I had it rebuilt. When I did I ordered a master rebuild kit, and a kit that eliminate this third gear throughout problem. Now it is awesome.It is hard to say what kind of shape your stuff is in. But in my opinion I would much rather have rebuilt it before I put it in. If it is in your truck, and you don't have the cash run it. Also twin stick your 205 if you have it out.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Ya I defiantly would look into doing it all now while its out. I wouldn't want to have to pull it back out and do it later. Thats a pretty good amount of miles too to not do it. I would just buy the whole rebuild kit and do it or look into someone doing it for you.

[koolky]

Thanks guys! Why would i want to twin stick it? Im kinda new to the 4x4 world here.

[koolky]

Just did some quick research on the twin stick, it seams pretty cool but I dont think it will benafit me and i would sooner spend the cash somwhere else. It looks like $150 should get me a master kit for the NP205. (I get mechanics rate) As for the SM465, its looking like up to $300.! Hmm.... Im on a budget. What do you all think of running the SM465, maybe do the seals?

[special-K]

Seals is about all these gear boxes ever need.All rebuilt is a nice feeling,though.

[LANDC]

I know you may think you are saving money by only doing the seals. But if you later find it needs a full rebuild, you will have to probably get new seals again. Not to mention removing the tranny again. I am a firm believer in doing it right the first time, because so many times I have tryyed to save money by cutting corners, and it always cost more by doing so.

[blink32]

Has anyone seen a "full" rebuild kit for the SM465? I've done some browsing and never saw anything that looked to have much in it. The NP205 master kit is easy to locate though.

[koolky]

Originally Posted by blink32

Has anyone seen a "full" rebuild kit for the SM465? I've done some browsing and never saw anything that looked to have much in it. The NP205 master kit is easy to locate though.

I think Novak sells one $300 or something.

Thanks for the posts guys, im going to take a good look at what ive got. Im kinda going to go with "if it aint broke dont fix it" rule. Mabye just do the seals...

[blink32]

Originally Posted by koolky

I think Novak sells one $300 or something.

Thanks, I didn't even see that kit before.

[LANDC]

Novak, thats it. I couldn't remember. That is who suplied my kit. The kit is complete and the staff there are very helpful. They also have the third gear throw out kit or whatever. Like I said my truck is a whole different animal with the fresh tranny. However I had to replace the main in put shaft as well. That was about another $120. Also one of the shift forks was worn. It was expensive, but it puts the power to the pavement.

[Russell]

On an encouraging note, these transmissions do have a reputation of outlasting several trucks if you swap them around. They are built extremely beefy and will last very well if you keep oil in them.

That said, I overhauled an SM465 with a similar number of miles on it a few years ago, and while all the roller & ball bearings looked like new, I found that many of the sintered bushings that the various gears ride on were beginning to get fairly worn. After replacing those bushings and the syncro rings, the transmission was much quieter and much easier to shift.

While you have the transmission and transfer case apart, make sure you inspect the splines on the output shaft of the transmission, the input shaft of the t-case, and in the coupler sleeve. They are only a 10 spline setup, which has a tendency to wear. With that many miles on the transmission, I'd be concerned about their condition.

When I overhauled my 465 / 205 setup, I believe I spent approx $300 on the transmission, and approx $100 on the transfer case. I had to replace the output shaft on the transmission, all the shift forks, the sintered bushings, all the synchronizers and all the seals. My t-case required a new input shaft and all the seals. I also replaced the coupler as well.

I didn't have to buy all my parts new however, I was able to find many of them either on this site, or on other forums and have them shipped up at a fraction of the cost of buying them new locally.

[koolky]

Thanks, I also have a 2wd SM465 from my 68 c20, its only got 65 000 miles on it, i was thinking of swaping the output shaft over to it... I also realize that my 68 trans has rubber somethings in it and my 72 dosnt. (forget the word) Are there any other diferences? OR should I take them both apart and build one with my best parts (probably most of the 68 SM465)?

[Russell]

I rebuilt mine in a similar manner, I had a 2wd trans with very low mileage / many of the upgrades already completed, and built it into a 4x4 transmission using the 4x4 mainshaft I purchased from another fella.

That saved me from purchasing new bearings, and since the countershaft already had the sleeve on it to prevent gear movement, I didn't even have to pull the countershaft out of my transmission. Less the two bearings in the case that the countershaft rides on, there are no bearings / syncros in the countershaft that need attention.

[koolky]

Hey, so I've got my 205 completely apart. the rebuild kit comes in tommorow. $140 canadian. Everything inside looks great. Also, got my 465 open and the top cover disassembled. Inside looks good except for the reverse gears, the corners have been chipped up a bit (probably from plowing) but I will probably just leave them. A few questions... The nut on the back of my 465 (4wd) how do I get it off, do I need to make the tool to remove it? its torqued on right? Also what oil should I be running in my 465 and 205? Umm, about the problem with the weak snapring inside, what do I do to corect it? can I just machine a bushing? Any info at all it great. Thanks Guys

[koolky]

I got my build kit today from SKF. Its all good except for the front output seal. Its too big. Could someone post a pic of an origional yoke? I think the one on my 205 has been changed cuz the seal is not origional.

[blink32]

Originally Posted by koolky

Also what oil should I be running in my 465 and 205?

Depending on the year and who you talk to 80w90 for both or ATF in the 205? I can't remember but my manual calls for 80w90.