The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop T-5 or 235?

I have read the article on the T-5 swap a few times because I am considering it for my 53. I have a few questions though, what did people use as a rearend? Also, I don't anything about clutches, so I don't really understand the astro disc or whatever it was... if some one could please clarify that, it would be great. Another question, my 60 has a 235 that I am also considering rebuilding and swaping it into my 53, would that be a better way to go? Would I have to do a tranny or gear swap on that anyways, or could I drive down the highway? Thanks lots.

If you do the swap, you will need an open rear, instead of the torque tube. The 235 would work well with the T5. If you swap engines, but keep your original tranny, the revs at speed won't change, so you may want to consider both swaps. As for the clutch, what you need is a clutch disk that will match your current flywheel/pressure plate combo (to keep the foot starter) and the right number of splines in the center to match the input shaft of the T5. There are links here which talk about different ones, or a custom clutch can be made.

AC 53,

The rearends used vary from 80's full size truck rear, s-10 4X4 Automatic rearend (4x2 are too narrow), 70 to 81 Nova, Trans Am, Firebird, GM 10 or 12 bolt....as far as gear ratio desired, check the rpm/gear calculators on this site. When you go get a T-5, be sure to check the OD ratio. The one I have on the shelf is .86 or something like that. Mugsy on here put one in a world class with a ratio like .68 or similar. Put your tire size, tranny ratio and rearend ratio in the calc to figure out what RPM you will wind up with.

As for me, I will probably use the .86 I have and just mate it up to the right rearend to make it all work out with the 16 inch tires I am running. I am collecting the parts, but since my truck runs pretty well, I hate to take it apart. Going 55 MPH would be easier with the new setup tho...

Thanks guys. Since my truck has a "rebuilt ( :rolleyes: )" 216 in it, I might aswell leave it as it is for now. If I come across a s10 tranny, how will I know what is a good one? by year? by serial number? or what? or (gasp) go to a V8, we have a old 85 chev (350/th400) farm truck that might become a donor. I dunno, but thanks for the replies!!!!!

AC,

If you do a google search on the T-5, you can find the tranny codes. The tranny should have a tag on it to tell you what OD ratio is has. KC Mongo on this site also has a list of the T-5 codes too. Surf his site when you find a post of his.

Heck..I'm with you. My 216 is still running..so no plans to ditch it either. I would like to do the T-5, but since I only have 5 miles to work, I don't feel the need to re-do my driveline yet.

Here you go Arcticat the list is here.

http://www.mongosgarage.com/tech/t5/index.htm

In my case, my 216 in my truck was a goner and I swapped in a 58 235 and converted to 12 volt. Then a few months later my 3 speed started slipping out of gear so I swapped to a later open rear end and the S10 5 speed, it has been the best improvement for driveability that I could have done.

Mongo

thanks guys for the replies. mongo, your article on the t-5 swap was good and cleared my mind a little on the swap. thanks

Here's some more T5 stuff for ya:
Inliners T5 page

William Schickling\'s T5 page

Tom\'s \'49 with T5

T5 identifying marks

More T5 identify

Kustoms-and-Sleds This is a Yayhoo! group where I documented my T5 swap with pics and text. You've gotta join the group to be able to view the FILES. You can un-join after viewing if you wish.
-David

thanks mugsy!!! i'll sort through that. I didn't sign up for your yahoo thing yet, but what does the "sleds" part stand for?

A sled is old slang for a car (primarily late 40's - mid 50's) that's filled with lead. Lead bodywork that is. Lead sled.
Not too much lead being used these days so it's just plain old sled.
-David

Oh I see...I almost thought it was a snowmobile :p

Hello all,

I've visited this site many times over the last year or so but never registered 'til now. I do not own a "stovebolt" truck (although I would like to) however I do own a '57 Belair equipped with a "stovebolt" engine. I hope that meets any prerequisites that exist for this site. (emoticon challenged)

Does anyone know what years of the T-5 have a mechanical speedo drive?
Thanx Dano

Thanks for the T-5 info guys. im doing one in my 63 c-10. Those links are really good.

Hey BelairBolt

Welcome, C'mon in, set a spell, etc. From what these more experienced gents here say, Stovebolt refers to the engine, not the vehicle. You'll see many here with cars as well as trucks. You Belair types are rare as most are swapped to V8's and frequent other boards. ANYONE with even a fondnes for the venerable straight-six is welcome here!

Dano,
This is an educated guess but, I think up to '91 had mechanical (or at least some were still mechanical). My tranny was sold to me as from a '91 IROC. I looked up the tag # online and it said '89 V8 WC. I then found some other info elsewhere which lead me to believe it was in fact from '91 and it is a mechanical speedo.
-David

How does the T-5 transmission mount to the stock AD crossmember? I presume some modification is necessary.

anybody have a response to olblu49's last question? Thanks.

I bought a universal trans crossmember for $45 but I believe you can just fab up a simple adapter plate to just relocate the holes. Need to make some kind of rubber mount too though.

I believe 88 up in S-10,s are electronic speedo. I have a 90 & havn,t figured out what I,m going to put it in yet & what to do about the speedo.

In my case I just removed that crossmember, have had no trouple since, I had planned on putting it back and making an adapter plate for it but know a couple other guys running them this way without any trouble.
MONGO

Thanks!

I have also been looking to get better gearing and was considering a rear end or tranny swap. I have read quite a bit about this t-5 swap but most are on the 50s models. Is this swap do-able on a 66 c-10. I have the Muncie Hd 4-spd and a 4.11 rear Iwould like to make more hwy freindly. I have been to most of the links and threads, great stuff but haven't seen much w/c10s. Regards, Dennis