Family project

[flintpunk]

Well, I'm new here but I figured I'd post pics of our family mud truck/driver.  It's an 86 S10 Blazer with a fresh 30,000 mile 85 Corvette 350 that's been converted from TPI to a quadrajet on a cast iron 4bbl intake.  She's got 32" BFG Mud Terrains, 4.10's with an eaton in the rear, 231 t-case, and 700R4 trans.  I picked it up for $1000.  It's in nice shape mechanically, but the wiring has been butchered.  We're starting to work through all the gremlins though.  

I just picked up an S10 pickup to rob the dash components and wiring from.  The pickup also has a 2wd NV3500.  Since I work at New Venture/New Process gear (now called Magna Powertrain), I'm very familiar with these manual transmissions and t-cases.  If I can find an NV3500 4x4 rear housing and mainshaft, I can rebuild this trans and put it in the Blazer!  

Check out the pics and look for us out at the Mounds...we only live a couple miles away!  We'll be out there tomorrow!

[Rumor Has it!]

Good Start Man.. 

[85cHeavyMetalBogger]

sweet, thing must hummm with a 350 in it.....

[flintpunk]

It's really nice and torquey.  It's the perfect motor for the package!

[danwheeler660]

cool looking

[STEUERDUKES]

    Sweet Rig!  I love all the makes of a gen 1 s10!!!!

[four_by_ken]

Very nice

[RIP_K52007]

Still got the TPI stuff? might be able to work something out for a complete 4wd nv3500....  rig gotta love the s10's

http://wegotmud.com/forum/index.php?topic=55150.0 theres mine

[Bowtie972]

Nice setup! 

[flintpunk]

Nice truck, Lilred!  Those Bajas were super cool when they were new!  I wanted one bad!  I don't have the TPI.  The original owner of the motor bought a crate motor and used the TPI on it.  I just got the long block.  Sorry.  I may give you a call tomorrow though so I can come see what all you've got.  You should probably get over to my place at some point too and check out my machine/fab shop.  I can make about anything at my house.  ; )

[RIP_K52007]

sounds good I'll be around.

[flintpunk]

I've been driving the Toy Truck from my home in Flint to work (in Troy) once or twice a week just to shake it down in an effort to make it more streetable and to find the all the bugs.  This thing will probably be my kid's daily driver (if he can keep his grades up!)  So yesterday on the way home, the 700R4 started acting up.  The shift points got really high and it wouldn't go into overdrive.  Today, thanks to Steven (73chevytruck on  ), I was able to score an HM290 5 speed manual with a complete clutch and flywheel and another NP231C transfer case for $150!!! DEAL!!! The 290 has a 4.00:1 1st gear, 2.32:1 2nd gear and 3.74:1 reverse. This is quite a bit lower than the 3.06:1 1st gear, 1.63:1 2nd, and 2.29:1 reverse gear ratios found in the original 700R4. Torque capacity of the HM290 is 300 ft.-lbs. That should be adequate. I won't be able to put it in for a while because I have to tear the complete dash out to install the clutch pedal. That's fine though since I had to tear the dash out anyway in order to replace the steering column and cobbled wiring harness. =]

[RIP_K52007]

never heard of that trans before.

[xjs3667]

never heard of that trans before.

also called a nv3500 

[flintpunk]

Actually it's NOT a 3500.  I work for the company that built both and I have built both.  General Motors Hydra-Matic division built the HM290 as a joint venture with Getrag (a German driveline company).  Shortly after the 290's release, GM and Chrysler paired up to form New Venture Gear with the marriage of the Syracuse NY New Process Gear plant and GM's Muncie, IN "Muncie" plant.  Headquarters was established in Troy (where I have worked since 94 and where my dad worked from the company's inception in 1991 through 2005 when he retired). 

The NV3500 was one of New Venture's 1st products and while visually and dimensionally similar to the HM290, it shares very few parts.  The 290 has a multi-rail shift system and is a complete  to work on.  The 3500 has a single rail shift system and if you know what you're doing, you can build it without any special tools. 

Working for New Venture Gear was the best!  I have never loved my work more than during those years, but sadly all good things come to an end.  In 2004, the joint venture between GM and Chrysler was dissolved and headquarters reverted to Chrysler ownership.  Shortly after, Chrysler sold us to Magna International's Driveline division and later we were renamed Magna Powertrain.  Unfortunately, the company has never been the same.