[AT] Time to commence tinkering - 57 Chevy transmission rebuild

Tue Mar 19 18:49:31 PDT 2024

Hey Spencer - thanks for the encouragement and advice.  I read through the website you listed where there was a section on the T90 transmsission that is on my Jeep as wells as the Spicer transfer case.  Actually, reading through the site was inspirational as the amount of helps is substantial and parts availability is not an issue.  I'd never heard of Novak but that is a site I will keep as a reference!  Thank you for providing it.

I also like the excuse of a project requiring new tools.  I have much more than the basics, but adding to the collection is fine by me!

I have brakes to do on a couple of daily drivers and an older pick-up that could use some attention to make it more than a run-to-town-for-gas vehicle before tackling a more recreational project.  But maybe late spring or into summer I can roll the ol' Jeep into the shop and give it some attention.  My 8 year old told me she wanted to help...we'll see if she likes getting her hands dirty.

Thanks again!

Kyle Sands <>< Brandon, MN

________________________________
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> on behalf of Spencer Yost <spencer at rdfarms.com>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 2:23 PM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] Time to commence tinkering - 57 Chevy transmission rebuild

Hey Kyle,

I’ve done several manual transmission “rebuilds” (often just bearing replacements). Mostly tractor but this is my third car/truck trannies.  So this was not new to me.  Having said that I do, for this rebuild, frequently refer to the factory manual and I scoped out a video or two on YouTube to get the lay of the land and maybe catch the non-intuitive tip or two that every project seems to have.  So definitely get a shop manual if available.

Manual tranny rebuilds are fairly simple and I would encourage you to try to tackle it.   Some of the tools and processes maybe a bit different that you are used to.  Gear and bearing pullers, arbor press and retaining ring pliers for both internal and external rings are a must.  All of these come in various shapes and size so I would acquire them as I go if I were you.  I will admit i had a Matco tool salesman for a neighbor until he retired 10 or so years ago so it was easy (if expensive) to go to him and buy “just the right” tool when I was doing a project that was new to me.  So my tool collection was already complete enough for this project.

Rebuild kits are often available for the more popular trannies, so start researching suppliers.  If your transmission is odd enough that no one is selling rebuild kits, get to know your local bearing house really well.   They’ll be a big help cross referencing old bearing numbers, getting odd snap/retaining rings and “sleeves” (research “redi-sleeve” or “speedi-sleeve”) .

The place where I got my rebuild kit does a lot with keep stuff:

Novak Conversions Home<https://www.novak-adapt.com/>
novak-adapt.com<https://www.novak-adapt.com/>

Good luck!

Spencer Yost

Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 14, 2024, at 8:25 PM, Kyle Sands <willys_46 at hotmail.com> wrote:

Nice to see some chatter on the list.  I've not made much noise in 20 years (wow, it's weird to say that), but listen in on the conversations.

Spencer - what's the level of difficulty in rebuilding that transmission?  I've been a tinkerer since my grandpa gave me his 1946 Willys CJ-2A back when I was 13.  I've always done routine maintenance and minor repairs on most anything.  However, only lately have I dove into some more complex repairs on my newer vehicles (mostly in an attempt to save money, but also for personal satisfaction in getting it done).  I learn through Youtube as many of us probably do now.  If the video of a repair looks doable, I'll give it a shot!

I still have that old Jeep, and it's occurred to me that it might benefit from some transmission/transfer case work.  I've never torn into something like that, and I imagine it's probably relatively simple.  I'm curious if you just jumped right in to that rebuild project or if you're taking it on slowly as a novice?  What sort of references do you use - old manuals, vidoes, other sources?

Regards

Kyle Sands <>< Brandon, MN
________________________________
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> on behalf of Spencer Yost <spencer at rdfarms.com>
Sent: Monday, March 4, 2024 9:35 PM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] Time to commence tinkering

Nice Dean.  I always enjoy your pictures.  Tinkering myself except on an SM420 transmission for a 57 Chevy 3/4 ton instead of a tractor.  Pics below of one of the reasons I rebuilt it. Synchros definitely toasted.  Should be done in a week or so.

BTW:  is the 3point line for the basketball goal in the picture the front of the Farmall or behind the 3020 😂

Spencer

<image0.jpeg>

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 4, 2024, at 7:32 PM, Dean Vinson <dean at vinsonfarm.net> wrote:

The 3020 was delivered this afternoon, so as time allows I’ll be tinkering with it… changing fluids, looking into why the rear light works but the front lights don’t (“check the grounds, check the grounds, check the grounds,” Farmer would say), getting rid of the calcium chloride in the rear tires.   I’ve got a bit of earth grading/smoothing to do in a couple of spots back in the woods, so the tractor’s first actual task will likely be with a rear blade attached.   I’m looking forward to all of it.   3227 hours on the tractor, practically new given its age, and so far it feels as solid as can be.

I love the older tractors also, like the Super M shown in this photo and a John Deere 620 parked in another part of the barn.   But I have to admit, as I get older the level of exposure on those tractors starts to weigh on my mind a little… I’m increasingly conscious of sitting up there on the seat with nothing around me, and on the Super M in particular not much below me except for the ground and whatever implement I’m pulling.   The 3020 by comparison feels like I’m nestled into a cockpit.   Will be interesting to see how the various tractors get used as the months go by and the “newness” of the 3020 wears off, but I can imagine it becoming more and more the go-to tractor.    In the meantime, sure is fun to have a new toy.

Dean Vinson

Saint Paris, Ohio

<3020_SM_20240302.jpg>
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