The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1961 Apache 235 T5 conversion question

Hi All,

I have read many posts related to doing a T5 conversion on the 235 engines, but they were all pre 1961 vehicles and I want to clarify if there are any differences between the 50's engines and the 1961 model I have.

I found a t5 on craigslist from a 1983 C10. Description reads: 1983 Chevy S-10 T5 transmission.Bell housing,flywheel and driveline are included.These can be adapted to Chevy 235 engines in [b]pre-54[/b] Chevy vehicles.

Also I was looking at putting on fenton headers from speedway motors, but even their description says "For 1936-1959 Chevy 216-235-261 straight 6 engines." So my question is, would a T5 bolt on to a 1961 235 engine, or are there differences between the 50's and early 60's 235's? I assumed it would be a fit, but once I read the fenton headers fit description saying those only fit up to 59 235's, i wanted to see if there were major differences I wasn't aware of.

Thanks![u][/u]

First off, I'm just trying to help, but I have no experience with the 235 engines or bells. So here are some thoughts.

If your 235 has a bell housing with a Muncie bolt pattern for the tranny, then yes it should bolt right up with minor modifications to the T5.
If your bell has the 4 + 11/16" center index hole then that's good because it matches the T5. If it has the 5.125" index, then you'll need an adapter ring like this .

The T5 will need slight modification. You can choose which seems best for you. I feel options 1 and 3 are best.


Option 1. You can swap the 14 spline S10 input shaft for a 10 spline Jeep input shaft. This allows you to use your original 10 spline clutch setup. Then shorten the release bearing sleeve.


Option 2. You can carefully cut the splines on the S10 input shaft a little longer. Then shorten the release bearing sleeve. Buy a new 14 spline clutch disc.


Option 3. Buy the correct 14 spline clutch for the S10 and grind away about 1/4" of the inner splines. Then shorten the release bearing sleeve. This thread discusses this modification with photos.


Option 4. Buy and adapter plate. Then shorten the release bearing sleeve.

I've only explained some of the major details.

A T5 from a 1983 S10 should have a cable style speedo connection.

The 61 235 is basically the same as the 59 and older the main deference is the motor mounts and bell housing mounts are different for the 55-59. The trans bolts to the bell housing the same way. So to answer the question will bolt to the 235. you will need to shorten the input shaft or put a spacer between bell and trans. get a new clutch to match trans and shorten your drive shaft.

Sspage, sorry I just bought that exact T-5 today. The owner was mistaken, it wasn't a 83, it was a 88.

Thanks for the responses, it really helps! I'm guessing the shifter on a t-5 from an s10 sits a little more forward than say one out of a camaro, as I want to keep the bench.

And no worries on buying the transmission, I want to make sure I know exactly what parts I need before I go and buy anything :)

lugnutzo T5 will have a shifter box way at the end. The tail housing and case cover can be swapped for one from an S10 so the shifter comes out in front of the bench seat.

[size:11pt]Here's a Camaro and S10 side by side[/size].

Making it work with a bench seat is NOT hard, but keeping the cable speedo is hard because the 1983-1988 S10 T5 tail housings that have a cable connection are super hard to find.

So you can use electric gauges or a device called Cable-X which converts electric back to cable.

Thanks for sharing your page is really helpful! So it sounds like the more available transmissions may be later models with electronic speedo, like this one which can be matched with cable X or electric gauges:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/231422411006?nav=SEARCH

What is a good price to pay for these? Is there any known sources of purchasing them from other than ebay/Craigslist/junkyards?

Get the number from the trans & cross it using a chart to find the gear ratios. Like 1352-xxx. Some T-5 trans had a .86 or .82 overdrive ratio which would not be very beneficial for highway driving unless you have a higher gear rear end.

Check with Tom Langdon at Langdonsstovebolt.com . He sometimes has them ready to go, but I think he usually has a waiting list.

I think a fair price for a used, pre-inspected unit is around $350. More if it is a 1993 S10 World Class unit. Less if the condition is unknown. Get your own from a salvage yard for $150 or less and take your chances.

I sell them on eBay and get better prices than the one you referenced but it's because I allow returns and show the guts of the T5, clean it, reseal it, and have 100% feedback.

I don't have any with a cable speedo connection at this time. I search for them locally nearly every day.

Lastly, a 0.86 5th gear is common and matches well with a 3.42 or 3.08 rear or anything in between. the 0.72 5th gear is great for a 3.73 rear. Make sure you buy a Muncie pattern T5. Chevy used a T5 with a FORD case in 1994 and up S10 and S15 trucks and 1993 and up Camaros and Firebirds.

Jay