Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

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Grand_Wag_85
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Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

Local guy has an early 90’s GM NV4500 for a pretty good deal and he has the AA kit to go with it. The Advance Adapter kit # is 712571. Kit adapts the AMC to the GM trans.

AA says I’ll need to run a “diaphragm style clutch” with this kit as well as a GM release bearing.

Any recommendations on part #’s for the clutch and release?
82 J10
77 J10 Golden Eagle 401
88 GW

You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!
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Stuka
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by Stuka »

The other thing you will need is a 401 flywheel. Unless you already have a 401 with a manual transmission swap. You can buy new 401 flywheels, but no Jeep with a 401 ever used a manual.

A 360 flywheel wont work, AMC V8's are externally balanced.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

Good point! Jeep in question is a 401/T15. Not sure if my current flywheel is correct so I will be ordering a 401 flywheel.
82 J10
77 J10 Golden Eagle 401
88 GW

You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!
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Greenmachine
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by Greenmachine »

Machine shop told me if I brought them my 401 flex plate they could balance match a flywheel. Maybe that’s what someone did with yours if it has a manual already. Otherwise I imagine the engine would shake pretty significantly if they didn’t balance the flywheel.

Did they put manuals behind 401’s in cars? Seems like I have seen some AMX 401 4spds for sale.
1975 Cherokee S factory 360,t-18, 4" hellcreek, slot mags 33" bfg's, performer intake, and Fitech fuel injection.
1980 J10 304, 5 spd, 4" Superlift, 4.88 Gears, 35" Maxxis Big Horns
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tgreese
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by tgreese »

I know Stuka appreciates it when I correct him. :)

Jeep did offer the 401 with the optional T-18 manual transmission in 1974. The 401 was only available that year in trucks and wagons, but the parts book does not separate them wrt this combination, so I presume you could get a 1974 401/T-18 Wagoneer or Cherokee as well as a J-truck. Any other 401 and manual transmission combo is a swap - though at least a few new 304 CJs got the 401 at the dealer. Easy swap.

Yes, your machine shop can balance a flywheel the same as a flexplate you provide, so if you had a 304 or 360 flywheel, that would be an option. New aftermarket flywheels are available, Jeep PN 3212655. Check the cast-in number of the flywheel you have.
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tgreese
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by tgreese »

Greenmachine wrote: Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:10 am...Did they put manuals behind 401’s in cars? Seems like I have seen some AMX 401 4spds for sale.
The Javelin got the 401/4-speed combo, and I'm sure the AMX did too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Javelin
The 1971 Matador offered a 401/4-speed too.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Clutch questions. AMC 401 to NV4500

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

Greenmachine wrote: Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:10 am Machine shop told me if I brought them my 401 flex plate they could balance match a flywheel. Maybe that’s what someone did with yours if it has a manual already. Otherwise I imagine the engine would shake pretty significantly if they didn’t balance the flywheel.

Did they put manuals behind 401’s in cars? Seems like I have seen some AMX 401 4spds for sale.
I'm really curious, can't wait to take it apart. The NV4500 sold out from under me so I'm keeping the T15 for now. This truck desperately needs a clutch so we'll see what the part numbers say. If you mash the gas hard enough the RPM's shoot up and the Jeep starts to decelerate. Not sure how I haven't had to walk home yet lol.
82 J10
77 J10 Golden Eagle 401
88 GW

You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!
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