BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ksshane · 11-20-2013, 10:58 AM

Ive been talking with one of our members and it sounds like we might be meeting up soon and me walking away with a BB he has.

My question is, I cant afford to buy a new transmission right now and pick up the BB. Will my original 4sp with the granny gear standard tranny bolt right up, and will it hold up to the engine until I can put something else behind it... Im guessing about 6 months.

OLDGREY · 11-20-2013, 11:18 AM

I think it will bolt directly to the BB. The tough part will be waiting to get something else behind it.

Longhorn 70 · 11-20-2013, 11:58 AM

SM465s are tough. I have put 400+ HP to one with no problems. I'd be more worried about the clutch and u-joints.

OLDGREY · 11-20-2013, 12:26 PM

The SM465 is tough as nails. I just built one for my Jimmy. If the existing clutch is in good shape you should be fine. The flywheel should bolt right up to the crank. The u-joints are relatively inexpensive and would be worth doing even for a short time. We know all to well how six months can turn into a year.

ksshane · 11-20-2013, 12:29 PM

Yea, U joints are not a problem... I dont have a problem replacing the clutch either if I need to.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

mrolds88 · 11-20-2013, 04:48 PM

Only other thing to worry about is balance. GM used 3 different balances. One for the 454, one for the 400 and one for the rest.

**uncle** · 11-20-2013, 05:11 PM

Finding the right linkage parts can be a challenge too.

OLDGREY · 11-20-2013, 05:16 PM

I totally forgot about the linkage issue. Those parts do vary from one application to another. I've been hunting and pecking for some of the parts I needed to finish my swap. Very good point!

ksshane · 11-21-2013, 10:08 AM

Which linkage are you refering to?

OLDGREY · 11-21-2013, 11:14 AM

I don't know if the Z-bar is the same for a BB as it is for a SB, or what the mounting position is for the ball stud that mounts on the engine side of the bar. I know there is a bracket that goes on a straight six but, not one on 350.

hyatt · 11-21-2013, 11:20 AM

you will need bigblock flywheel Balance is not same on smallblock

bbcmudtruck · 11-21-2013, 12:01 PM

Most sbc's are internally balanced. Depending on the size or build of your new motor will be either internal or external. The 454 is externally balanced unless its been built to be internally balanced. What motor did you end up getting? Also, I have a clutch rod still screwed into one of my blocks thats out in the shop if you need one.

ksshane · 11-21-2013, 07:38 PM

I haven't got anything yet. Still working out the details

ksshane · 11-22-2013, 08:01 PM

what about radiator... will the radiator I have work, or is there a way to tell. I know my radiator is not the stock radiator that came with the truck because my truck is a standard, but my radiator has the automatic transmission hookups with tubes cut off so I know it was pulled from something else

67chevy1 · 11-22-2013, 08:30 PM

I don't know much about the clutch issue, but the radiator. I had a 454 in my 67 and the stock radiator it did fine unless when cruising on a weekend night in a lot of stop and go traffic more stop than go it would get hot but as normal in town driving or highway I didn't have a bit of troubles. And they are right a 454 is externally balanced.

Hawghauler · 11-22-2013, 08:38 PM

I think the BB and Sb use a different bellhousing. The trans should work fine otherwise. As for the clutch linkage, I don't know.

67_C-30 · 11-22-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawghauler

I think the BB and Sb use a different bellhousing. The trans should work fine otherwise. As for the clutch linkage, I don't know.

No, they used the same bellhousing from 250 L6's to big blocks.

Hawghauler · 11-22-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

No, they used the same bellhousing from 250 L6's to big blocks.

Well I guess I stand corrected. You know it's surprising how many things you thought you knew, aren't....

11-20-2013, 10:58 AM	#1
ksshane Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 495	BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Ive been talking with one of our members and it sounds like we might be meeting up soon and me walking away with a BB he has. My question is, I cant afford to buy a new transmission right now and pick up the BB. Will my original 4sp with the granny gear standard tranny bolt right up, and will it hold up to the engine until I can put something else behind it... Im guessing about 6 months. __________________ 71 swb 350/4sp manual 5/7 static drop

11-20-2013, 11:18 AM	#2
OLDGREY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Surprise, Arizona Posts: 31	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I think it will bolt directly to the BB. The tough part will be waiting to get something else behind it.

11-20-2013, 11:58 AM	#3
Longhorn 70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Chandler AZ Posts: 1,149	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? SM465s are tough. I have put 400+ HP to one with no problems. I'd be more worried about the clutch and u-joints. __________________ 1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9

11-20-2013, 12:26 PM	#4
OLDGREY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Surprise, Arizona Posts: 31	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? The SM465 is tough as nails. I just built one for my Jimmy. If the existing clutch is in good shape you should be fine. The flywheel should bolt right up to the crank. The u-joints are relatively inexpensive and would be worth doing even for a short time. We know all to well how six months can turn into a year.

11-20-2013, 12:29 PM	#5
ksshane Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 495	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Yea, U joints are not a problem... I dont have a problem replacing the clutch either if I need to. Thanks for the feedback everyone. __________________ 71 swb 350/4sp manual 5/7 static drop

11-20-2013, 04:48 PM	#6
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Only other thing to worry about is balance. GM used 3 different balances. One for the 454, one for the 400 and one for the rest. __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

11-20-2013, 05:11 PM	#7
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,285	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Finding the right linkage parts can be a challenge too.

11-20-2013, 05:16 PM	#8
OLDGREY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Surprise, Arizona Posts: 31	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I totally forgot about the linkage issue. Those parts do vary from one application to another. I've been hunting and pecking for some of the parts I needed to finish my swap. Very good point! __________________ Old Grey-Grandpa's 1969 C-10 SWB in limbo. 1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4, soon to be a driver. 1972 C-10 Custom, daily driver. Bad decisions make great stories!

11-21-2013, 10:08 AM	#9
ksshane Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 495	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Which linkage are you refering to? __________________ 71 swb 350/4sp manual 5/7 static drop

11-21-2013, 11:14 AM	#10
OLDGREY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Surprise, Arizona Posts: 31	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I don't know if the Z-bar is the same for a BB as it is for a SB, or what the mounting position is for the ball stud that mounts on the engine side of the bar. I know there is a bracket that goes on a straight six but, not one on 350. __________________ Old Grey-Grandpa's 1969 C-10 SWB in limbo. 1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4, soon to be a driver. 1972 C-10 Custom, daily driver. Bad decisions make great stories!

11-21-2013, 11:20 AM	#11
hyatt Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: sparta tennessee Posts: 345	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? you will need bigblock flywheel Balance is not same on smallblock __________________ 1946 car hauler 1948 surburban 1937 chevy sedan 1940 olds sedan (project) 1967 ss396 chevelle 1999 dually crewcab(24000 miles)

11-21-2013, 12:01 PM	#12
bbcmudtruck Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ravenwood, mo Posts: 709	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? Most sbc's are internally balanced. Depending on the size or build of your new motor will be either internal or external. The 454 is externally balanced unless its been built to be internally balanced. What motor did you end up getting? Also, I have a clutch rod still screwed into one of my blocks thats out in the shop if you need one.

11-21-2013, 07:38 PM	#13
ksshane Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 495	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I haven't got anything yet. Still working out the details __________________ 71 swb 350/4sp manual 5/7 static drop

11-22-2013, 08:01 PM	#14
ksshane Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wichita Ks Posts: 495	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? what about radiator... will the radiator I have work, or is there a way to tell. I know my radiator is not the stock radiator that came with the truck because my truck is a standard, but my radiator has the automatic transmission hookups with tubes cut off so I know it was pulled from something else __________________ 71 swb 350/4sp manual 5/7 static drop

11-22-2013, 08:30 PM	#15
67chevy1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: marshall, il Posts: 282	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I don't know much about the clutch issue, but the radiator. I had a 454 in my 67 and the stock radiator it did fine unless when cruising on a weekend night in a lot of stop and go traffic more stop than go it would get hot but as normal in town driving or highway I didn't have a bit of troubles. And they are right a 454 is externally balanced.



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11-22-2013, 08:38 PM	#16
Hawghauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Whidbey Island/Edmonds,WA Posts: 360	Re: BB... Will my 4sp be okay for now? I think the BB and Sb use a different bellhousing. The trans should work fine otherwise. As for the clutch linkage, I don't know. __________________ If I have to be on 4 wheels, It has to be a classic Chevy 1967 c10 Longbed (Hawghauler/Icy weather transport) 2003 BMW K1200GT (Rain bike) 2007 Softail Deuce (Sun bike) 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide (Everything else bike)

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