I am about to start the SM420 project into my 61 CJ-5 Buick V-6 Dana 60 rear and 44 front presently with a car Muncie 4 speed. I have crawled under and surveyed nthe rough idea of approaching this adventure . Some concerns are starting to surface..... the front driveline measures out to appear to be mighty close to that bulge and webs on the right side of the 420. My suspension is a 2 1/2 Rancho and not SOA . will I encounter problems in this area ???? Any experiences here anyone?????
Also the chore of mounting bellhousing(being closed) to the tranny first and then trying to stuff the input shaft through clutch and align with engine seems awfully tight, I minimaly would have to pull my brake cylinder(stock location) and chain clutch control out to gain clearance along frame since engine is offset to this side. I didn't really want to pull the engine for this conversion ...... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys!!!! :rolleyes: :emb4: :cool: :cool:

The driveline will clear but it only has about 1/4" but as long as it clears who cares. Back in the day when I had the master down there I had to cut the ear off the bellhousing that I used to get it to fit. I used a bellhousing that came with the 78 Buick 3.8 I pulled out of a chevy monza. It was aluminum and had the starter ear on both sides.

if you haven't alerady, check out www.forumco.com/sparky

a lot of guys over there have done the sm420 swap into an early 5 behind the V6. lots of discussions on the topic if you do a search.

hth

I would grind some of the webing away. Mike from this board has a sm420 in his 70, 5 behind a v6..

His drive line clears.

You may need to grind the bottom web partway off Depends on the t-case you are using.....you don't need it any way and it will grind off quickly:)
The earlier trannies never had them....you must have a late 60"s 420

Other way around there big guy.

Early 420s had the webbing late models didnt.

Wrong Steve - http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/gm/gmsm420id.html

"Note the ribbed side of the case. Early cases do not have this ribbing. "

Paul (with late SM420 - ribbed for pleasure)

hmmm the ones I have seen in trucks in the late 40s range had the ribbing and the later ones didnt.

Actually now that I think about this you are right..
Not the first time Ive been wrong..

Well , get this guys......... the SM420 that I just purchased is brand new never used G.I. surplus....in olive drab lube tag on side packed in a heavy cardboard box filled with a styrafoam packing surrounding the tranny in suspended animation for me and my CJ-5. The date on the box is 1974 as GM did continue making the 420 long after it didn't appear in GM trucks. Brand spanking new man !!!!!!!!
By the way it does have webs.............right side and get this: the PTO port is as cast CLOSED......interesting...I guess no leak here and I guess as an option a guy could swap a open pto type case but I cvan't Imagine that I would. If anyone inquires about these I could give source info... SEEEEE YAAAAAAA>>>>:beer: :beer: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :rasta:

I know that Capital Jeepers Supply in Sacramento has the miltary sm420's

Originally posted by WheelingPiazza
Other way around there big guy.

Early 420s had the webbing late models didnt.
Hmmm tell that to my '67 sm420 with the little reverse light switch thingy;)

Originally posted by wolfthing 2000
Well , get this guys......... the SM420 that I just purchased is brand new never used G.I. surplus....in olive drab lube tag on side packed in a heavy cardboard box filled with a styrafoam packing surrounding the tranny in suspended animation for me and my CJ-5. The date on the box is 1974 as GM did continue making the 420 long after it didn't appear in GM trucks. Brand spanking new man !!!!!!!!
By the way it does have webs.............right side and get this: the PTO port is as cast CLOSED......interesting...I guess no leak here and I guess as an option a guy could swap a open pto type case but I cvan't Imagine that I would. If anyone inquires about these I could give source info... SEEEEE YAAAAAAA>>>>:beer: :beer: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :rasta:
Dude>>>> I seen your other thread....I am allready:crybaby2: about that tranny...pretty sweet :usa:

Yes indeedeeeeeee!!!!! Capital Jeepers, Sacramento,Ca. has the tranny, G.I. issue that I speak of. I am about to order the adapter from Novak and have it on hand for the conversion that I plan to start in upcoming months. I probably will start when fire season starts and all the good offroad areas get shut off until about October. Look forward to this conversion!!!!!;) ;) ;) :usa: