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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 | I was talking to a local mechanic and he suggested I might want to keep my SM420 with the original 235 and Camaro 2:56 rear end instead of using the T-5 I built up for it. Any thoughts? I was planning to change the 2.56 to 3.73 rear end with the T-5.
Comments either way.
1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 | Well, my question is, what did you do to build up your T-5?
1949 3600
Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things.
Never play leap-frog with a Unicorn.
2 Wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do.
Of all the Henges, Stone is my favorite.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Here's a word I just made up.....Plagiarism.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 | It has been rebuilt and the shaft changed to a Jeep shaft to mate up with the clutch. It is currently installed in the truck and came out of an S-10. I guess my main reason for considering changing back is I have never rebuilt a rear end and am not sure where to start. I'm sure I could find something on the internet, but this conversation just started so I haven't progressed that far yet. I have plenty of time since the truck is still off the frame anyway, just the frame, engine and tranny there.
1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I would use the t-5 even if you keep the 2.56 rear end. unless you are going to do some heavy hauling. You wouldn't have to use 5th gear. You will have smoother shifts with closer ratio's.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | To figure out what gears you might like do some math, input your numbers in a gear calculator and see what makes sense for your driving style/speed. http://www.onlineconversion.com/bigger_tires.htmI’ve taken very long trips with a 235 and mine seemed very comfortable at about 2,450 RPM, all day long, much faster and fuel mileage suffered. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 | Sounds like I should leave the rear alone, keep the T-5 and see how she runs when I get it on the road. If I don't like it, go to different rear end gears then.
1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Maybe I missed it somewhere, but what size truck is the T-5 going in? Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 |
1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Will the T-5 be the weak link in the drivetrain? I think of T-5's as being car transmissions...BUT I have never owned one so maybe I'm wrong in my thinking. Mike B | | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 | Sounds like I should leave the rear alone, keep the T-5 and see how she runs when I get it on the road. If I don't like it, go to different rear end gears then. Yes, I believe that is a good plan. Using a Camaro rear end, there are lots of options if you want to change gears after road testing.
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 332 | Mike B,
I plan to use it as a daily driver, not much hauling. I have two other trucks to haul anything of size.
1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.
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