BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 | Advice needed for the best way to remove an original 4-speed transmission from a 1952 1/2 ton Chevy pickup with torque tube. Needs synchronizers. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | Best way is on a rack with a transmission jack. If you don't have that you can use a shop crane through the passenger door to lower it to the ground. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 | Thank you, cletis. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,597 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,597 | FYI, the SM-420 weighs 135 lbs. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 549 | Best way is on a rack with a transmission jack. If you don't have that you can use a shop crane through the passenger door to lower it to the ground. I've used jack stands and a floor jack for years cletis. I'd bet you've done it as well. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | When I was a pup, I used to just wrestle that SM-420 in and out by myself.
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Last time I did it I used a small floor jack. Didn't need to put the truck on any kind of stand. You will want to have a helper to keep the tranny stable as you work the jack.
Don't forget to drain the oil out of the tranny before you do this if you want to keep everything pristine in your shop. Oil can leak out of the shift tower when you lay the tranny on its side or it can leak out the back if you tip it that way.
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 60 | Thank you, for all advice.
Transmission came out fine. It's at the transmission shop for repairs. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 44 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 44 | Sorry to get in on your post but I have a 1953 GMC w/4 speed and I can only see 2 top bolts holding transmission in. Is there 2 lower ones or does the bellhousing have to come out to remove the transmission. Thanks | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | The lower bolts are inside the bellhousing and go into the transmission. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 44 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 44 | I have never done this job, one of tech tips is to put a t5 in and mount to bellhousing and being able to retain stock clutch and starter button with no other mods. is there any way those bottom bolts can be accessed except by bellhousing removal? If I read the other posts the engine would have to come out to be able to remove the bellhousing? This my son, who is 21, and would like to be able to stay at highway speeds. Any other suggestions? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | To get at the bolts all you have to do is remove the tin cover on the bottom of the bellhousing and then you can get inside to remove the bottom transmission bolts. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Just totally retired. Have a 51 3/4 ton, just got moved in. | | Just totally retired. Have a 51 3/4 ton, just got moved in. Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 3 | :dang: thanks for the info. Have a 51 doing the same thing. | | |
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