Chevy 350 Swap: SM420 V. SM 465

[CiviJeep]

Thanks for everyone's input on how best to install a roll bar through a fiberglass tub to the frame. The install went great and I'll post pictures when i get a chance!

Now I'm saving money for a chevy 350 swap into my cj. I want to keep the jeep manual so I don't have to deal with as many driveshaft problems (1960 CJ5 ).

I noticed that Herm the Overdrive guy has both SM420 and SM 465's rebuilt and with adapters installed to fit my Dana 18 for $950-$1100.

I don't have any experience with either of these transmissions. Is one preferred over the other ? Thanks for the help. I assume these trannys will shift like a dump truck, but I honestly don't mind it. I'm not building a sports car.

 

[Old Dog]

I'm not real big on chevy 4 speeds, but with a CJ5 I would go with the shorter of the two. If I remember right one is a couple inches shorter than the other. I'm sure someone smarter than me will chime in.
A 350 is gona be a tight fit with a short nose 5. Have you thought about a 4.3 instead?

 

[BrockGrimes]

SM465:
The SM465 was made by General Motors from 1968 to 1991
The SM465 is a top loaded, top shifting truck style Transmission . This Transmission is 12" long and features a cast iron top cover that is retained by eight bolts. The SM465 case is of *cast iron.

SM420:
The SM420 was made by General Motors from 1947 to 1967.
The SM420 Transmission is 10.7 " long and features a cast iron top cover that is retained by eight bolts and a main case of cast iron.
From Navak Adapters.

That being said I'm more inclined to go with the SM465. It's been around up until 91 the last 420 was seen in 67. But I'd research replacement parts availability and cost to decide.
Email novak adapters and ask them how parts replacement and availability are for the 2, they are more than willing to help out.