Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,034 Posts1,055,533 Members48,425 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 | Okay, so yesterday/last night I was *hoping* to finish the T5 install in the truck, but ran into trouble.
When I started, I had the T5 bolted up to a stock '57 Chevy V8 passenger car bellhousing, with a stock '57 flywheel, stock pressure plate. Everything bolted up no problem.
I needed to install the clutch disc and input bearing, so I yanked the tranny and pressure plate out, installed the bearing and clutch assembly.
When I went to bolt the tranny back up, I could barely get the tranny in, and I've got the bolts in and the tranny is still a 1/4 to 1/8 away from the bellhousing.
I remember reading somewhere that the 235 sixers need to shim the tranny, I don't know if I have a similar situation with my combo of parts.
Thanks guys. I'll be tearing it all apart again tonight. I realize its either the clutch disc or throwout bearing. Any help or insight would be appreciated!! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 | I'm sorry, I said above its either the clutch disc or throwout bearing, I should have said clutch disc and pilot bearing. Sorry! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | rabidscott, I have not done a T5 swap...yet but from what I read is it possible that the pilot bearing is to long and not letting the pilot shaft go all the way in?? I think there was a thread about this in the engine driveline forum but I am not sure. I am interested in what it is as I may do this somewhere in the near future. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 | I feel for ya....recently went through the same thing. Here is part of my story here Right now, I have 1/8" washer in place as spacers and a mechanic at work is machining a permanent spacer for me. Also check the flywheel bolt heads...you may be hitting on them...? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 54 | two things to check
1)make sure the pilot/clutch bearing is driven all the way in (that was my problem)
2)make sure the clutch is front side forward.
good luck
dave | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | I've read where guys have both shortened the shaft and/or ground the splines farther back to allow the clutch disc enoungh room. It seems to me that a spacer would solve both problems and allow you to use stock T5 parts if it ever needs a rebuild. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | Baldy - Your comments are some of the best I have read. Short, concise and to the point. I think you are "right on" and your "spacer" comment solves most ALL of these type of basic problems on AD trucks. Joe 
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | You need to grind the grooves in the trans shaft longer. Put the disc on the shaft & mark where it stops. Grind the grooves with a die grinder or Dremel tool til in goes in about a 1/4- 1/2 in. further. I take it you have cut the front of the shaft & the coller to match the old trans. Co-pilot?
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: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 | Okay guys, I got the tranny out last night.
Anywho, the end of the input bearing retainer was all chewed up from me forcing the tranny into the clutch disc. I took what I assumed was 3/16 off the end of the input bearing retainer, and picked up washers, 1/2" stack for each tranny to bellhousing bolt. This should work, at least temporarily, correct?
I also talked with a couple of my friends about making a machined aluminum adaptor, if this is the correct spacing, etc.
I will be trying to put this together again tonight. Maybe I'll be able to go around the block!! | | |
|
|
