Planning a 700R4 to SM465 swap

[brendo613]

Whoa, looks like the NV3500 is a pretty good choice after all. There are a few on Craigslist well-priced, too ... hmm ... might be back to the drawing board for me.

Well, work early tomorrow morn - gonna have to call it a night for now. Thanks for your help guys - got some new thoughts to roll around in my head, heh

 

[RetroC10Sport]

You could go on car-part.com and look for a certain part specific to the floor shift van such as the steering column and try to find one near you.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3223092632.html

I wonder if both shifters work...

 

[smurph20]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3223092632.html

I wonder if both shifters work...

LMAO KIDS FIRST CAR really they must really want some grand kids lmao

 

[HotRodPC]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3223092632.html

I wonder if both shifters work...

That's a Chester Van. Chester the Molester !!!

As far as an SM465, Likely just cut the shift stick off, turn it around and re weld it. Or, is it even possible to install the stick backwards? I know I've seen a top loader 4 speed in a Van before. I about **** when I seen it too. Only been 1 time I've ever seen it and I want to say it was a mid 70's van.

But I agree, that's an expensive conversion. I am also aware the MY6 was OEM in those Vans and I'm aware of a guy who converted a van to 4wd using an MM7 with a NP205 Transfer case and where I got the idea an NP205 can fit the MM7.

 

[bucket]

I've never tried it, but the 465 shifter should be able to be installed backwards.

 

[brendo613]

I keep forgetting about car-part.com - thanks for mentioning it. Some SM465s pop up there too if you punch in the right vehicle info.

Craigslist double-shifter van is a great find Looks like a real friendly guy who'd own that thing.

Installing the stick backwards was my hope - otherwise, cutting and welding should do. Does anyone know if the starter I have on the van will be compatible with an 86+ flywheel? I just put that starter in recently, heh.

 

[bucket]

There is a straight pattern starter for the 153 tooth flywheel and a staggered pattern starter for the 168 tooth flywheel. The 153 tooth is generally used in cars. If you keep the same size flywheel, you can use the same starter... unless you end up going with a T5, which I don't recommend.

 

[brendo613]

Sounds like the 168 is the one I'll be on the lookout for then
Thanks

 

[brendo613]

Been thinking about rear end options; the 2.41 rear (GU1?) seems like a good option for bringing the SM465's gear ratios into a useful Vandura cruising range. I'm not sure how to go about getting that, though. I found a 2.41 pinion & ring gear on eBay for pretty cheap, but that's only one listing. If I were to take an axle from an existing vehicle, are my options C & K series, Suburban, full size Blazer, etc?

 

[HotRodPC]

If you're not driving this Van in the Indianapolis 500 and going to be driving it on the street, you're going to hate, and I do mean HATE 2.41, and I don't beleive that's available anyway. You must be looking at the 7.5in 10 bolt for like H body cars, Monza etc. The tallest gear you can get is 2.73 and there are plenty out there, and 3.08 will work just as well for a tall gear ratio and plenty of those too for cheap. I have a 10 bolt 3.08 for sale right now drum to drum and can't even get $125 for it. Noone wants the junk. But, someone who broke a carrier or axle will buy it sooner or later so I'll keep it advertised and the first $100 offer, it's sold.

What gear ratio do you have now?

 

[HotRodPC]

Just re read your 1st post to get back up to speed. You have 3.42's now. I'd leave perfect alone. You're getting to hung up in mathematical figures on paper and loosing touch with reality. You're driving a kite or a sail, and if you think for a minute tall gears are going to help your mpg, you're nuts. You get 2.41's in that Van, you'll be lucky if you can even do 65 mph with a 15-20mph wind. I'd for sure, keep the 3.42's. There's nothing wrong with cruising at 2500-2800 rpm at highway speeds. I like to be 2200-2400 but I'm sure not afraing of more. I think you're getting tied up in Front wheel drive lightweight, low the ground cars that tach 1600 at 70mph. You're in a truck or a van, that's not going to happen. This is why cars get better mpg than trucks.

 

[brendo613]

HotRod, I'm going by what the 700R4 does. A 700R4 in OD @ 65 turns 1848rpm, assuming a 3.42 rear with 220/75/15 tires. If I used the SM465 with the 3.42 gears it'd be really different from how the van is stock. That being said, I thought 1848rpm @ 65mph seemed low. Would be nice to see a torque curve of a TBI 350 to see "sweet spots" for more mathematical perfection

 

[HotRodPC]

Yes, 1848 with a 700r4 is low. You're trans would last better and tolerate a little more abuse and run cooler with 3.73's or 4.10's. Keep in mind about the 80's vehicles that are pre computer. They are geared like **** for auto manufactures to meet premature gubment stricter regulations on mpg and emission standards. The thought was, less rpm, less emissions out the tailpipe which is true, but it didn't help mpg for ****.

 

[brendo613]

Gotcha. More things to consider . "When in Rome," heh. Had a Saturn engine rebuild that got a case of the "while-I'm-here ...." bug