Switching from auto to manual

[Jim100]

I think a NP-445 is a pretty good trick to find? The NP-435 is a good transmission but..

[BigBlockTrucks]

That same bearing I spoke of will work in the 383 crank also. I do understand the thought of not cutting the input shaft, but in my case it was easier to find a good spare 435 than to find an internal balance big block.

[Hobcobble]

If the NP445 turns out to be too elusive to find..... you might look
for a NP435 with the 4.56 first gear as opposed to the 6.68 granny
gear. The 6.68 version NP435s seem to be more numerous.... but
there might be a 4.56 version out there in a boneyard nearby?
I'm not sure what the nomenclature tag on the tranny housing would
be for the 4.56 version. If I can get to mine..... I'll see what's there....

John

[dodgeboykim]

Drilling a crank isn't all that hard to do. I installed a 400 BB into my 70 D500 and to deal with the lack of a pilot hole I drilled it out.
Turned engine onto its nose.
Installed the 318-3 Hydraulic flywheel. Borrowed a magnetic drill and slightly smaller bit than the bushing used. Drilled new hole, Polished it out to fit bushing and fitted the input shaft from a trans. Bushing needed a bit of bore polishing to fit without being too tight. That was 17/18 years ago. Still working .

And I had the 318-3 flywheel re balanced to work with the 400 engine at a custom engine shop.