I'm slowly acquiring parts to eventually swap in a T5 transmission and 4x4 S10 rear axle in my '46 1/2 ton truck. For now I'm going to mock it up with the original 216 but have recently found a 235 with the foot starter bellhousing that I plan on rebuilding for a future swap.
My question is, has anyone devised a way to utilize the existing pedal assembly to retain the clutch and brake linkage when using a T5? The photos I have seen so far (credit Cavebull's albums) seem to show a sacrifice of mounting holes located to the T5. Has anyone vetted this to see if the pedal assembly is strong enough to just hang it off the bellhousing?
This connection is critical to the safety and operability of the truck, so it seems overkill would be better than risking it. I can't seem to get in touch with that user anymore, so all I have is the pictures to go by. Thanks in advance.
1946 1/2-ton Stakeside A Little Piece of the Family Farm In the DITY Gallery
Our resident T5 expert is Lugnutz. Contact him by private message or wait for him to chime in.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Is that spacer plate made of steel or aluminum? If it's steel, just weld a bracket onto it to support the pedal assembly with the existing bolt holes in the pedal bracket. If it's aluminum, duplicate it in steel. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I believe that shiny part is bare steel from grinding/cutting away the transmission side mounts. Here's the link to Cavebull's album, it is one of the few that really get's in to detail of the t5 swap specifically for the art deco trucks. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodsonbrett/sets/72157600835133131/
From the picture, I'm hoping there should be enough alternate mounting points to create another bracket on that ear off the transmission and the tailhousing bolts. I would think this would further strengthen against lateral movement and help with the leverage in the event of forceful braking. Just wondering if anybody has solved this problem yet or had any better ideas. See pic attached.
1946 1/2-ton Stakeside A Little Piece of the Family Farm In the DITY Gallery
I could be wrong, but my understanding is you want to attach the brake/clutch peddle assembly bracket solidly to the bellhousing/transmission assembly.
If this is correct, it's been my experience that an engine and transmission can move quite a bit under heavy changing loads due to rubber engine and transmission mounts.
My question: Is it safe to have your peddle assembly jumping around like that under your feet?
-David
1953 2-Ton GMC
I'm a machinist... because engineers need heroes too.
So, I take it that's not your transmission in the pictures? There is obviously a spacer between the bellhousing and the trans case, and the logical thing to do is to add a plate at right angles to it to bolt the pedal bracket onto. Them use angled braces to the front and rear over to the frame to reinforce the pedal mount. Those braces will need to have rubber vibration isolators to prevent transferring engine noise to the frame and cab.
David, the original pedal assembly was bolted to the bell housing, so there won't be any more movement of the pedals than it had when the truck was new. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
David, the original pedal assembly was bolted to the bell housing, so there won't be any more movement of the pedals than it had when the truck was new. Jerry
Thanks Jerry!
I had never seen a peddle assembly bolted to the engine/trans like that before. So I guess that just shows how little I know about most vehicles...
I learn a lot from this place!
-David
1953 2-Ton GMC
I'm a machinist... because engineers need heroes too.
So, I take it that's not your transmission in the pictures? There is obviously a spacer between the bellhousing and the trans case, and the logical thing to do is to add a plate at right angles to it to bolt the pedal bracket onto. Them use angled braces to the front and rear over to the frame to reinforce the pedal mount. Those braces will need to have rubber vibration isolators to prevent transferring engine noise to the frame and cab.
David, the original pedal assembly was bolted to the bell housing, so there won't be any more movement of the pedals than it had when the truck was new. Jerry
Correct, these are pictures of Cavebull's swap that I am using as a guide. I understand what you were saying now, the t5 adapter plate between the trans and bellhousing is another opportunity to add some stability. Not sure if it is aluminum or not but I bet it is...easier to machine. Looks like this problem doesn't have a standard solution, so I'll have to address it when I get there. Good idea with the addition of some rubber mounts between the bracket and the frame. That should add some more strength but also allow it to move just enough as well.
David, yes that's all that they had back on these trucks. The more I work on my art deco truck the more convinced I am that it really is just a tractor with a cab on top!
1946 1/2-ton Stakeside A Little Piece of the Family Farm In the DITY Gallery
Hello Pretzer, I have just found this thread on swapping to a T5 in a '47 1st Burb. I have been at this far too long, then away and now back. I saw your post with links to photos that really help me picture what I need to do. Recently acquired the T5 and was trying to figure out how to mount the pedal cluster. Are there more threads to doing this? Thank you for any info you may be able to give. All the best, Richard
Yeah they really weren't far off from tractors. Heck, it was what, the first generation that had all steel Fisher bodies? Pretty streamlined for their time tho.
Wish I would have seen this post before now, but perhaps what I did can still add to the discussion and offer some ideas.
What I did on my T5 swap to add pedal support was build two brackets that then bolt together. One bracket is held on with the transmission mounting bolts, and the other bolts to the side of the pedal assembly where the original bolts that went to the stock transmission were. Then those two brackets bolt together. The reason for two pieces is to be able to get to the transmission bolts easily. The bolts on the front of the bracket bolt to the bell housing like they originally did.
Hopefully these pics are enough to give you an idea how it goes together. You can zoom in to see how it works. Please note in these pics the two bolts that hold the two brackets together at the top are not installed, but you should get the idea. This was just a quick mock up with bolts I had sitting around at the time, it's not permanently installed in these pictures. I can get getter pics if you need them.
Also please overlook the rather crude and funny shape of the bracket that bolts on with the transmission bolts. That was made with two small separate pieces of plate that I had laying around. Would have been prettier if I had a solid piece to make that one from, but enough of the excuses. It's out of sight and gets the job done quite well. You can also kind of see the master cylinder adaptor bracket I made.
You can also kind of see the master cylinder adaptor bracket I made.