Gentlemen, I just finished rebuilding my 3sp in my 53, it was the original tranny. I put new bearings and synchros in it and a fresh first gear. The trans really performs well with no issues and it wasn't at all difficult to do but this isn't the first trans I have been in either but it had been many years since I was in a trans. Now the question, I picked up a really nice clean looking sm420 at a swap meet and got it for $25. The owner said it came out of his 54 and worked great. I figured I would put new bearings and sychos in her and seal it up. I pulled the top and it looks really nice inside, all the gears look good, no wear at all that I can see, then the pto cover came off and the counter gear and reverse idler look great too. Decided to take the rear bearing cover off and tipped the trans back to remove a little 90 weight left in her and noticed the main rear bearing slid out and the counter gear rear bearing did the same dumping out the roller bearing out of the input shaft. No biggy on that but I'm puzzled that it slid a part this easy. Is this odd? IBTW this trans has seen only 1/2 ton duty. I am amazed at how stout this sm420 is, it looks completely indestructible.
Thanks in advance,
Steve

Last edited by sstock; 02/10/2018 11:29 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100
261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done
In the DITY Gallery
Video of the 261 running

1964 GMC 1000
305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration