Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

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I finally got a chance to work on the transmission modification for a while today. I decided to use the stock C-30 bellhousing and re-drill the transmission case to match it, instead of buying the $300 adapter bellhousing from Advance Adapters. By doing it that way I can use all of the stock C-30 clutch linkage and the bellhousing will bolt into the stock location on the frame crossmember. The NV4500 input shaft on the transmission I have is the same length, diameter, spline count, and pilot size as the SM465 that I removed from the truck. The opening in the bellhousing for the front bearing retainer was 5 1/8th inches and fit the transmission perfectly. The clutch release bearing even fit without any modification. After verifying that everything was interchangeable I set the bellhousing on the front of the trans, squared it up, and used a transfer punch to mark one of the holes. I wanted to drill and tap one of the holes and put a bolt in it to locate the bellhousing and hold everything in alignment while I marked and drilled the other holes. I still completed each hole before starting the next one. Since all of the holes have to be drilled and tapped into the transmission case I had to drill out the threaded holes in the bellhousing.

The first picture shows the drill bits I used in increments from 3/16 – 27/64. I used 5 different sizes, in steps. The 27/64 is the correct size drill for tapping a ½-13 bolt hole. In the second picture I’m using the tap to thread the hole. The third picture shows two of the bolts in place and that the bottom left hole overlaps the original trans hole. I will probably drill all the way through and use a bolt and nut in this location. If the trans was apart the original hole in the trans could be welded up and then it could be drilled and tapped.. I will Locktite all of the bolts. None of the holes actually penetrate the trans case, they are all in the front mounting ears. The fourth picture shows drilling the threaded holes out in the bellhousing and the last picture shows the fit of the clutch release bearing.

So far so good, I hope I can keep moving along on this and get the Dually on the road soon…..

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Isn't it great when you can reuse what you already have. Thanks for the thorough write-up, so far. Looking forward to more...

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Interesting and it does save from buying the AA custom housing or #712550 adapter plate that uses the longer stickout Dodge trans.

On the odd hole, have you thought about threading in a plug and then drilling your new hole? A keensert would give you additional thread support if you wanted.

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

You're making it look easy. Thanks for the write up

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Yep, I reuse a lot of stuff..... Thanks

I never thought about that Tim. I will do that since I haven't drilled that hole yet. Thanks.

No problem Dale. Thanks.

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Very nice progress Leon!

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Thanks Scott, I will try to update this tomorrow.

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

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OK, the bellhousing is all done. I put a plug in the existing mounting hole as Tim suggested and drilled and tapped it.. Isn’t it funny how you overlook the simplest solution when you are concentrating on how hard the task is going to be…. Thanks Tim!

I forgot to mention in my previous post to be sure and use tapping fluid when tapping the holes for the bolts.

I am going to put my extra 350 crate engine in the truck while I have everything apart so I removed the TH400 transmission that I had bolted to it and installed the Manual flywheel and pilot bushing, installed the clutch assembly, and bolted the transmission up. It went together without any problems.

Hopefully I can start installing it today.

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Nice!!!

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Very nicely done. Them overdrives are the bomb.

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Thanks guys!

I got the new engine and transmission installed in the ’72 C-30 yesterday. It went in without any major problems. You will definitely need the high hump floor if you are going to install the NV4500 5 speed manual transmission. I had to remove the shifter tower to get the trans to fit between the bellhousing cross member and the firewall tunnel. The shifter tower is approx. 4 ½ inches back from the stock SM465 location so I cut a new hole and made a filler piece to cover the original hole.

Now all I need to do is bolt on all of the misc. pieces…..

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

I have already been kinda thinking about working on my C-30, and I even put a battery on it and drove down the road for the first time this week. [I bought it in Jan I think and had only moved it a time or two around the lot]I got a seat for it today and a rear end out of a square body to get rid of the 5:38's I don't know what the new rear is but it HAS to be an improvement. I had been thinking of going with a turbo 400 I have in my 68 GMC and briefly though about using some spare parts laying around and put in a 5.3 with a 4L80E. i think I'm better off with either the 400 or a 4500 5 speed. What year is your, and what are you gonna do about the speedometer? Thank you sir for the inspiration. Jim

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Hi Jim,

My truck is a 1972 and the transmission is the '93-'95 Chevrolet variety. I will probably use the SpeedHut GPS speedo. I put one in my Green '67 when I installed the S-10 5 speed in it and I have been very happy with it.

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

This cool Leon. Youre moving right along.

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Awesome, keep the updates coming.

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Nice work Leon

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Leon,

Did you do a thread on the install of the S-10 5 speed in your 67

Thanks.

John

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Thanks Scott.

Hopefully more tomorrow....

Thanks Scott....

I didn't post much on the S10 5 speed swap John. I don't remember why....

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

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OK, not too good on the updates....

I had to heat and re-bend the shift lever stub and shift lever because the lever was too tall and leaned over to the right too much. The shifter tower is really easy to remove, just put it in neutral, remove the four bolts in the tower, and pull it straight up. There are four bushings in the tower where the bolts go in so don't accidently drop any into the transmission. You can see them in the picture. Remove the four torx head screws and remove the metal plate and pull the lever stub out. There are two nylon pivot bearings that will come out with the stub but they are not a problem because they fit over the pins on the sides of the shifter stub and just slide back down into the tower.

I heated the stub and straightened it out first, then re-heated it and bent it to the left where I needed it to be. I heated the shift lever and bent it to match the SM465 lever, let it cool and bolted everything back together. It turned out almost perfect as far as location....

The truck is on the road again and I have put about 30 miles on it. It will run down the road 70 mph with no problem, shifts great and has plenty of power. I can't pull the trailer until I have the engine fully broken in but that won't take too long. I'm stoked!!!..:)

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Very valuable thread!

I've got an NV4500 from a 1994 Chevy sitting in the garage waiting to be installed.

Thanks!!

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

I'll save this one for sure.

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

Awesome, I'm glad it worked out well and you're enjoying it!!

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

That's too cool Leon. You've been a busy man. I'm glad you got it on the road again!

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

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Thanks guys! I'll let everyone know if I have any problems with it. Now I have to get back to work on the '67 Panel Truck...:)

LockDoc

Re: Installing The NV4500 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission In The C-30
 

couple of quick questions I have had about this. didn't the 93-95 chevy trans have a mechanical speedo? and what gears do you have in the rear? do you still start in 2nd like the sm465 I heard the chevy trans has a granny first as well.