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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 | I had removed the top cover from my Muncie 420 in order to do a good flushing of the old gear oil and check out the condition of the innerds.
Now for the life of me I can not get the cover and forks to go back on correctly. For instance, sometimes it seems like the cover goes on but won’t shift correctly and neutral is NOT neutral.
Hoping someone has some tips to get the cover back on and forks aligned properly. Thanks for any help. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Need to make sure it is level so gears don't migrate downhill, get all the gears in neutral, get shifter in neutral, be careful longer forks don't bump a gear into engagement.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 | Thanks. Any tips on getting the gears in neutral?
Last edited by Chris McKenna; 05/28/2020 12:06 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 | It kinda like a puzzle that Indiana Jones would unlock, but really much easier. You may want to have the rear on jackstands and someone underneath to let cha know if its in neutral while you're moving slids around. Its hard to explain and easier to actually do. Was the truck in neutral when you pulled the cover? Its really a matter understanding whats going on inside. Sounds like one of the forks on the shifter is going behind or infront of the "channel " its supposed togo into to. Especially if you are seeing that neatral is Not neutral. Patients and dont force the cover on. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Second and high(synchronized) have a sliding collar with a groove in the middle for shift fork that need to be in the middle of its range(neutral) , which can be shifted there by hand, screwdriver, etc., first and reverse are sliding gears that have more throw of the Shifter fork. Get the 2nd., high in neutral first.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 | Truck is in rebuild stage. Motor and tranny went in this past weekend. No driveshaft yet. I’ll tinker and see what I can do. It’s just a frame, motor and trans right now. Not sure what gear it was in when I pulled it. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 | Oh. That should make it abit easier. You wont need someone underneath. And you can stand there. Just pay attention to where the forks are going when dropping cover. Make sure they're in the channels. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 | GOT IT!!!! Thanks for the help team!!! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | If you do it again, remember the distance between 1/2 and 3/4 forks is 4-7/16" outside to outside. Move first gear to get that dimension and you are golden. https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1321055/re-sm420-help.html#Post1321055
Last edited by sstock; 05/30/2020 12:44 AM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 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 GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 28 | I hope I don’t have to do it again..... 😀. But thanks for the tip | | |
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