NV3500 Getrag 290 5-Speed Rebuild Bearing Kit BK235B

This is the BK235B bearing and seal rebuild kit for the GM New Venture NV3500 five-speed manual, also known as the Getrag 290. It is the box with the aluminum, rear-loaded case that lived behind the 4.3L V6 and small-block V8 in 1988-up GM half-tons and vans: Chevy S-10, Blazer, C/K 1500 and Silverado, GMC Sonoma, Jimmy and Sierra, and the Astro and Safari vans. The kit covers both 2WD and 4WD tailhousings and the parts also serve the matching transfer-case rebuilds.

Read the design carefully before you order, because the Getrag 290 changed bearings across its run. This is the 3rd-design kit: it uses the thin input and output bearings measuring 0.90 inches wide, single-ball type, and countershaft bearings with a 1.180-inch inside diameter. If your case is an earlier design with wider or tapered bearings, this is the wrong kit, so pull your old bearings and measure or match the case casting before buying. The bearings in this kit are Japanese Nachi and Koyo, and the small-parts kit is made in the USA.

Inside the box you get the input, output and countershaft bearings, the front and rear seals, the case and cover gaskets, and a complete small-parts kit with the snap rings, thrust washers and needle bearings you strip out during teardown. On the bench, split the case, press the old bearings off the shafts, and lay the gear stacks out in order. Watch the countershaft needle bearings on reassembly, since they seat only one way and a reversed set means buying the kit again. Set your endplay and shim the bearings to spec before the cover goes back on.

A Getrag 290 that whines in a steady tone with road speed, grinds going into gear, or leaks at the tailshaft has worn bearings and hardened seals, and no fluid change fixes that. This is the parts kit that puts the shafts back on fresh, quiet bearings. Note it is a bearing and seal kit, not a synchro-ring or gear set; add the blocker rings and any worn gears separately if your teardown finds them. Ships from the USA; handling in 1-2 business days.