I'm finally getting around to putting my sm420 in the CJ using the novak write up for the sm465 and when I set it up to mark the holes the shift tower causes some interference.

about 3/16 to 1/4" of the shift tower on the middle shift rail hang over the mounting surface of the transmission and hit the bellhousing.

Should I clearance the bellhousing, the transmission, both?

if I take it all off the transmission it'll at least nick the shift rod, and I dont want to risk damaging the structural integrity of the bellhousing.

has anyone ran into this problem before? should I just get out the :beer: start grinding and hope it holds together?

Clearence the BH. It's reall a small amount.

I second that.

But inorder to use the sm465, I belive you have to use an indexing ring because the 465 has a bigger bearing retainer.

Yup, what WheelinP said, the indexing hole on the AMC b/h is larger than the retaining ring on the SM420. If you don't get that perfectly centered in the indexing hole, you WILL have problems. Don't ask me how I know, but I now have a $340 b/h from AA because of it. :rolleyes:

I clearanced the b/h as well, just try not to go too deep.

Good choice on using the sm420. you won't be disappointed. The first gear (7:1) walks over any other tranny out there. The indexing ring you need can be bought from Novak. I think they are about $30-40. Like the others were saying you won't loose enough strength on your BH to matter. Good luck on the swap.

Sorry one last thing - The ring, and bellhousing is alot cheaper than what AA wants for a BH.

wheelingpiazza i'm using the 420, not the 465. already got the index ring, i just havent done anything with it in months.


for anyone else doing this, heres what I ground off the bellhousing today.

http://home.off-road.com/~cj5/bh2.jpg

http://home.off-road.com/~cj5/bh4.jpg

http://home.off-road.com/~cj5/bh1.jpg