The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk T5 Bellhousing for 235

Just read Galbraith's tech on the T5 swap. The one area that was not addressed was the bellhousing, so I'm assuming that he used the stock one? Is this possible? I'm not too concerned with retaining the foot starter, and was thinking that Patrick's Saginaw conversion might work as far as the bellhousing matter. Any additional info anyone can offer would greatly be appreciated.

Welcome to the Stovebolt site R. F. -

47-54 bell housings allow the T-5 to bolt directly to the bell housing. If your talking about an earlier year, the T-5 could bolt to the bell housing by use of an adapter or you might switch to a 47-54 bell housing, but other things begin to need attention such as the mounting of the brake-clutch pedal setup.

There has been quit a bit of discussion on this subject and you might want to run a search for some of the discussion or let someone else chime in right here with comments.

6cylinders is correct. My T-5 bolted directly to the original bellhousing on my '48.

Just had to drill out the mounting holes a little bit to 1/2".

Sorry if I skipped an "intro"...get to that later.

OK, so now I'm happy knowing I don't have to swap bellhousings. What about the clutch? Lastly (at least for now), my intent is to swap the enclosed '53 rearend for an open '55, as long as there aren't major width issues. The spring plates I can deal with.

Hello R. F.!

The spline count on the input shaft of the transmission you choose will dictate the kind of clutch you use. The diameter of your flywheel will dictate the diameter of the clutch you use.

Some on this site prefer to use the Camero-Firebird T-5 with the tail shaft shifter and some move that shifter to the top of the tranny by using an S-10 case. Others use the S-10 T-5 with the shifter already in the top of the case. The spline count on these two choices are different and until you decide which spline count is the choice for you, you will not know which clutch to use. Once you make that decision, you shop for a clutch with the correct spline count. I understand NAPA is a good place to shop. NAPA has a clutch to fit the S-10 T-5 in either a 9 7/8" diameter or smaller, depending on the diameter of your flywheel. None of this is difficult, you just have to go "shopping" with your numbers in hand.

Your choice of a rear axle should be made with width in mind and gear ratio in mind. Again, you have choices. Most common are the 3.38, 3.43, 3.50 on up to the 3.73, 3.78. But you could go lower or higher depending on how you would like your truck to perform. Again, this has been discussed her at length in the past and if this thread keeps going, no doubt you will get a lot of good information on why some think their combination of all these components is the best.

One thing I can assure you, it can be done and the results can be very rewarding!!

Joe

RF- This ain't the HAMB, we are much more friendly! So the intro is appreciated, but optional. If you don't do it, we don't get nuts. I'm sure the guys here would get a kick out of hearing what your daytime job is though... Most would be jealous!

Holy Smokes!!!!!!!!!

R. F. - I'm talking to you like you don't know anything and (gulp) you've seen it all and most likely know it all!!!!

:o Joe

Joe - I thought Rob had seen and knew it all too, but he's on here asking about a T-5 swap and you're firing off answers, so carry on and I'll get out of the way!

you gotta start some-where

Hey, when you want something answered right, you go to the experts! I may have seen a lot, but I'm about as far from "knowing it all" as you could be!

Well, I guess my cover is blown. My name is Rob, and I work at a little magazine called Classic Trucks. Despite what a lot of people have come to believe, my heart is in traditional cars and trucks (though don't look at my '75 Cheyenne in its current state for proof!).

Now, the tranny I'm planning on using is a TKO 5sp from Keisler. With that gearbox, you can locate the shifter in one of four locations; the forward-most should put it right where the stock stick is now. I think I have most of the parts figured out so far, except for the rearend (hopefully a '55 1/2-ton will work with some coercing).

Thanks for all the help. I like useful info w/o the childish drama!

RF iam a subscriber, don't like the change of format to newer trucks. dilutes the coverage on the more classic trucks. now i have had my say. welcome any way. RON

I will do my best to leave content debates out of this forum...got enough of that at the office!

Can someone give us a tech tip or two to go with the T5 Swap article -- about the bell housing.

Hmmmmm?

Anyone?

Hmmmmm?

Please!

Peg

Glad to see a Classic Truck guy interested in saving a `Bolt (with engine)!! Sorta strays from the 350r400 combo . Welcome to the `Bolt!

:confused:
Hey, Rob, tell me a little about the TKO five speed from Keisler. I'm familiar with them. Where did you come by one of them?

Joe

Check out www.keislerauto.com and look at the "Perfect Fit" Tremec TKO five-speed. They're not the only company that offers the kits, but from what I've been told, they're hard to beat.

That Keisler is pretty pricy, R. F., and I'm not real sure the furthest forward location of the shifter isn't any closer than the T-5 shifter would be.

Knowing what I know now, and that is not much about the Keisler, I think the T-5 is just fine and, if durability is what your after, the Camero-Firebird T-5, especially the input shaft, will go along way to making a T-5 pretty stout for some week end door slamming racing!