Posted by powerwagonjohn on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 12:06PM :
In Reply to: NP 540 installation/observations posted by AAA on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 10:59AM :
I have been running a NP540 OD in my 1969 W300 it was a direct bolt in but I was running a 13" clutch behind the 426 wedge [bored out 413] and had done the conversion back to the hydraulic clutch by moving the cross member forward. The clutch housing [with the lower mounts] made for a direct bolt up with the transmission and since the orig. NP435 was the long tail shaft model, I didn't have to shorten the drive shaft. The shifter works fine but the new shift pattern took some getting used to.
I have noticed the trans is a lot slower shifting compared to a 4speed and I attribute this to MUCH larger gears. The sloppyness in the shifter could be wear on the shifter itself. I have had good luck welding and filing the bottom end of the shifter[wire feed has a nice hard weld] as these 5 speed shifters can be hard to find. I am running surplus 37" Goodyear's on the orig. rims. With the winch, steel utility box and pop-up camper[10,000# curb weight] and the aerodynamics of a 1969 W300 I am getting an honest 10+ MPG. So with the trailer I figure it will cost me $500.00 in gas to go to the rally next year.
I will be taking a run to the Black Hills SD this fall and will be tweaking the 4BBL carb and will hopefully get the mileage a little better but I don't expect much. I am very happy with the set up but I am looking for a clutch housing inspection cover for the big housing. John
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