The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What year is my transmission?

I need to order the rebuild kit(bearing ,bushings ,sync's , seal and gaskets) for my sm420 but do not know the right year it is. One kit goes from 47-53 and the other goes54-61. One the top rear of the case there is a serial # stamped, it is VP-93661. None of the codes inthe Chev . numbers I D book list a VP. On the drivers side in cast numbers is the #591907. Can anyone decifer these numbers and let me know what year it is so I can order the right kit????? Thanks in advance

1951 Elmer,

I don't have part numbers, but a helpful link to Novak Transmission.

Maybe the info shown will help ID your transmission.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm420.htm

They also have reasonably priced rebuild kits.

Stuart

Thanks Stuart; I called Novak and they said they have no way to tell by the numbers I had. The motor in my 51 is out of 1957 so I looked at the serial numbers for 57 trans and none of them are at all alike to the one one mine. The V in the serial # is really throwing me. Can anyone else give me a clue, could it be ouit of a GMC??? The guy rebuilding it says the syncs are alike so that would indicate it would be 54 and older, but he also said there is no neopreme oil seal so that would indicate 53 and older. Confusion!!!!!

cool link,thanks stuart

Elmer,
That case 591907 To the best of my knowledge was used 1948-54. If you look more at your case near the casting No. there is a date code, like (b 10 9) this would be Feb. 10 1949.

Thanks Chevyb;I am thinking it is older than a 54, maybe a 52. I am going to order the 47-53 rebuild kit and see how it comes out. Thanks again

Elmer,

VP-93661
VP

As you mostly likely know, the V was the 1952 model year code for a 4-speed, but the readily available book of codes does not show a "P".

Maybe the "P" is an "F" or maybe the "P" code indicates that the transmission was used on a larger truck in 1952. I believe the larger trucks did not have the torque-tube housing at the rear; but, that housing is easily swapped between any SM420 open- and closed- driveshaft transmissions.

Tim

Tim; Thanks for your responce. I am hoping it is a 52 transmission. I looked and looked at the P in the VP and it is a P. Maybe mis stamped and should have been the F. Here is one more mystery. The clutch is a 10 in. Most catalogues list the 10 in. as a 54 for a 3 speed . I don't know much about the interchaneability of pressure plates and clutches with different trans. Could this be ??Thanks

The clutch, pressure plate, and flywheels are interchangeable on most engines, as long as the parts match each other (and the ring gear on the flywheel matches the starter - 6v vs 12v). So, there is nothing particularly strange about a 10" clutch on a 54 engine.