The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 4 speed installation

Someone asked awhile back about how to get that heavy 4 speed back into the truck. I just finished the task and made a web page with pictures.
Here\'s how I did it.

Cletis,

Great pictures and great ideas!!!! They rival OldCarKook's original posting on how to swap out a 4.57 rear end for a 4.10.

I was the one who needed more info on the 4-speed installation. Mrs. Wally is greatly relieved!!

Thanks Wally. Hope it helps you. How is that engine coming along?

Cletis,

Great job on that page and getting the photos in too - looks really good! Did you wirebrush those splines before putting it all back together? A little lube on the end of the snout going into the pilot bushing?

Nice looking old truck. Something about driving one of the big old girls that makes you feel one with the work you are doing. Good post!

Ken

Yep Ken, I did do that. Also wire wheeled all the bolt threads and lightly lubed them. I even used a torque wrench on the pressure plate and PTO. Guess I should have mentioned that too. But it wasn't meant to be a job guide, just a tech tip.

Wow,
how many ton is that truck rated for? That is one big piece of machinery.

I removed my 4 speed using a board, axle stands and a floor jack. It took a lot of patience but it worked.

I have been looking at some small motorcylcle jacks and I was wondering if one of them would be just the thing for this job? Has anyone tried that approach?

If you want to know how we used to do it, this was the old muscle way. You put your legs folded under you on the seat and grab the gearshift stick, still in the trans, pickup on it and slide the trans. back and let down to the floor, all at the same time, using only the gearstick. It's amazing how tough that little piece of tin is, that holds the stick in. You can take the gear stick out, then and slide the trans. from under the truck. Installing it helps, if you have an extra man, to push the trans. forward after you get it lined up at the clutch. I probably couldn't do it this way now, but I have done dozens of them like this, when I was younger and dumber. I always knocked the PTO shaft off and left the gear bolted, to the trans.
Your way with the jack is the best way to save your back for another day. Great pictures!

In days past, I used to bench press the danged things. Wonder if that's part of the reason my shoulders are such a wreck now?

When I pulled the 420 in my 3/4 ton, I dropped it with a floor jack with the shifter still in it, which gave me something to stabilize the tranny while I lowered the jack. Rolled it off the jack, laid it down and slid it out.

Putting it back in I was a bit smarter, if that's possible. Used the engine hoist and put it in through the cab. I then lowered it onto the floor jack and left the hoist hooked up. Slid her forward and bolted her on.

I pretty much used the same method as '46 Chev did on my '49 just recently, except I called my 200+lb stepson to hoist it by the gear shift while I get under to guide it in. I like the idea with the ratchet straps and the beam. I think I'd try that if my usual "transmission jack" was unavailible.

I just used my engine hoist.

Cletis, great job and good pix, now I know who to call if I need a tow, just put the little 52 in your bed and off we go.....Fred

Joker, with the bed up you can almost drive onto it.
[img]http://www.jbhardin-gallery.com/trucks/bed%20_up.jpg[/img]

Dual cylinders, I see. Most that I've seen are single. And is that a propane tank? How's she run on propane?

Cletis,

Not only could Fred just about drive on . . . but looks like unloading would be a snap too!

Fred T, it has been converted to gasoline but with a fjord carb redneck rigged in. Linkage is baling wired together as per common fjord practice. I have a correct type carb soaking at the moment. I will throw a kit in it this week and install. Then she should run better.

I would have one big problem if I had that doozy.I would never be able to change the tire if I had a flat, did not need to use the big truck, made my country run to my place in the 52 just fine, sure had to pass a bunch of boat people this week end, try to keep it above 62 but some drove about 55.. real nice truck you have, hope to meet you before long, I will retire on the 27th and made try to have coffee with some of the bolters in our region when the wife starts to drive me bonkers....Fred

Guess great minds think alike, or else there are more crazy people out there than just me. I may be younger but I ain't dumber. I muscled one of those once and followed with muscling a NP 205 Transfer Case into place. Never again. Plus now I have more tool choices rather than just muscles. I have used the ratchet strap as support to drop out the trans. Still gotta put it back in place next weekend or maybe tomorrow. I planned to use the engine hoist through the floor idea- NO MUSCLES!

Cletis, you got my respect. I guess I've been spoiled with a full shop available. I don't think I could have pulled that off in the dirt. Hats off to the persistent stovebolters that will do what it takes to maintain our internally combusting spouses. ;)p.s. Beautiful truck

That installation brought back a memory for me.

I remember in the late sixties, my dad had a big ol' gasoline L-200 International semi tractor (ya gotta love those 'Binders, eh John M.?). The clutch went out, and he found some shadetree guy who offered to change the clutch for, I believe, $50 in labor (keep in mind that most new cars were less thsn $3k at the time, so that probably translates to $200-300 in todays money). We were both shocked at the low price, but I guess Dad figured what the heck. I remember the guy worked out of a makeshift garage with a dirt floor.

This was a big heavy transmission, maybe a five-speed, and non-synchro as I recall. I can't remember how he lowered it but I think it was with some sort of temporary beam rigged through the cab.

Anyway, the poor guy really struggled with the transmission, and it took him a while, but he did stick to his price and got it done. To my dad's credit, I pretty sure he gave him some extra money.

Cletis,

Just got back from Utah. I pick put the 261 TOMORROW. Yahooooooeeeeeee!!!!

Great looking big truck.

I used a regular 2 ton MVP floor jack to support the front of the tranny, then used a pine board about 1/2" thick and 3" wide, and I laid it across the hole for the inspection cover with the ends of the board pointing towards the engine and the rear axle. I then used a moving strap with hooks on the end, wrapped it around the output shaft on the tranny, and hooked the hooks together around the piece of wood. I then removed all of the bolts for the tranny, and slid the transmission back, while moving the pine board back. After I disengaged the tranny from the engine, the jack was supporting the front of the tranny, and the strap supporting the back. Then, I strapped another strap to the input of the tranny, and removed the jack. I pulled the jack out, and slid an old peice of carpet under the tranny. then, I slowly pressed the buttons for the friction clamps on the straps, and slowly lowered the tranny onto the carpet. After that was done, I removed the straps and pulled the carpet back, and presto! I had the tranny out, and the carpet soaked up any remaining gear oil. It only took about an hour, and was pretty easy. Those SM420's are heavier than they look.

Now, putting it back in may not be so easy. I need a clever way to put it back in there....

I weighed some parts for my 3/4T when things were disassembled.

SM420 w/o shifter - 115 lbs
4.57 and 4.10 pumpkins - 102 lbs
887 and 848 heads w/o rockers - 79 lbs