The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts SM420 Rebuild Instructions

I am planning to rebuild my SM420 tranny in my 57 6400. The kit I am planning to buy does not come with instructions. I have tried downloading a couple of manuals with no success. One even downloaded some unwanted programs on my computer. Does anyone have a hard copy and willing to mail me a set? I would pay for shipping of course and maybe a little extra for your time.

this might help


http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632620943718/

pretty comprehensive coverage in the TF shop manual - are you getting your parts from the right place with "included instruction guide"?

Bill

I'm trying to save a few bucks and plan on getting a rebuild kit off of eBay. I've visited Novak's web site and they seem to be the go to guys. However, their kits are a little more expensive.

The website Goob suggested is pretty comprehensive. One question though. Is the 57' SM420 the same as a 48' SM420?

Rautru: the kit from Novak is a bargain it includes synchros which is why they are year specific. I bought mine from eBay and it seems to be a good quality kit but dose not have synchos just something to think about.If I had known this before I would have bought the Novak kit it also says it has instructions.

Sometimes when a person buys parts and price is the only concern more often than not come back to haunt, usually poor quality issues and the lack of customer service / technical help. Think things through before only considering the bottom line.

Good advice Don. And I usually go with OEM or the better known quality. It's just right now, cash flow is pretty non existent.

The kit that I got is a good quality kit and the price was right it just did not come with synchronizers and in most kits they are separate do to being year specific plus more often than not with the SM420 they are not bad and reusable. I just prefer to make it all new.
This transmission even being out of production for decades is very popular with the 4x4 crowd and there for well supported by the aftermarket. I am looking into whether anyone is making improved carbon fiber synchos.I am planning to go to Novak for their billet front bearing support and shifter retention kit,unless I find something I feel is better wile shopping for synchronizers. I am not in a hurry for the transmission so I am taking my time and doing research now. The transmission I found to rebuild was built long after regular production of the SM420 ceased it is a military version with a heavily ribbed case built in 1987 I did not get a top cover with it but cover from my 57 parts truck fit and works good I just want to mod it for a reverse light switch.

I got a gasket set one time from ebay way cheaper than the dealer wanted for one, this was not for an old truck I think it was a quarter of the dealer price if that much.
I was very happy with it and all is still good over a year since using it. So cheaper can sometimes be just as good as costly.
Another thing, lots of times at the auto parts stores they have the pricier and cheaper part, many times the cheaper part is way better than the pricier one, as I checked both out to see the difference. So paying more isn't always the best in the auto parts world.

Truckrolet: YOU got LUCKY! Remember the old saying:"You get what you pay for"... We went the cheap route,putting a clutch,(N.O.S. replacement), in a 4X4 Ranger. Took 3-days,since we did it in a field,not in a shop. First time owner let the clutch out,(just to friction-point),we heard a "POP"-then it wouldn't move,go in/out of gear nothing! We took it apart,again,(another 2-day's work), to find it separated all the way around the pilot-shaft hole. It looked just like the one we replaced. We took it back to the parts store.The MANAGER exchanged it for a $10-DOLLAR difference,on an aftermarket LIFETIME clutch,to re-place the faulty CHEAP ones,still in stock,and sold by the rookies. In 99% of my dealings,cheaper is not better. Nobody can replace the labor/time factored in to the equation,either,not to mention the 60-mile round trip to the parts store.

I've just replaced the 3rd and 4th gear synchros in my 52 SM420,I got my parts from Tim Tygarts Obselete parts in Nashville also for info try the Historic Chev Club of America