The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop t-5 tranny swap trouble.(Robert French Help!)

I am currently trying to do a t-5 swap on my 1951 with a 57 235 engine. i read Robert French's article on it in the tech section and said hey that sounds like a good idea, so i got the tranny and started my search for a vega clutch disk to make it work. well i found that a 71 vega clutch disk had the correct 14 spline 1" hub pattern i need. Now for my delima, every part place and clutch company i have contacted has said they are obsolete. I need to find a 71 vega clutch disk desperatly, used, new, nos whatever i can find. Can any one help and maybe if robert french is out there he can help?

jkastner51. go to www.mongosgarage.com/tech/mongo/t5 and read his story on the t-5 swap. RON

Most of the comments and/or articles I'm reading now from guys doing that swap are using Astro van clutches.

As I understand it, Astro van clutches come in a couple different diameters with the correct number of splines. Astro van clutches should still be readily available for some time at the parts stores as production on the Astro van started in 1985 and was discontinued about two weeks ago, according to wdoftexas, with the last one rolling off the line at the Baltimore Plant.

thanks for your help guys, i read though that with the astro van clutch you have to replace your flyweel and pressure plate with one from a small block and i am trying to keep those original.

I bet if you take your original flywheel and pressure plate to the clutch house they can find something that will work for you. Find a place that only sells clutches. Talk to the oldest or most experienced guy in the place. Sometimes they can even make a custom one for you. Good luck

jkastner51: What size flywheel do you have, using the discs I used you don't have to replace either of those. Don't spend the money for custom parts.
MONGO

you should be able to get a vega clutch or clutch hub from any clutch rebuilder in your local area. if not contact "Dougs Antique Ford Parts" in Little Rock Arkansas (501)455-2562. doug doesn't just sell those fxxd parts he rebuilds clutches & relines brake shoes. he does quality work for reasonable price.
i'd reccomend staying away from the astrovan discs, they just aren't shaped right. the parts mongo mentioned are certainly worth looking at & like he says it depends on the size of your flywheel. i've learned a little more since i wrote the article & i believe a mid to late '80's 4 cyl. or V6 camaro clutch disc may be the ticket these also used the 14 spline input shaft. i believe it's what tom poterack ( http://community2.webtv.net/TOMPOT/TOMS1949CHEVYPICKUP ) used in his truck. if you want to swap some parts at a transmission shop the camaro input shaft & bearing retainer are already the correct length & don't need to be shortened.
in spite of what i said in my article about them being rare & pricey around here ( i hadn't discovered ebay yet!) i just finished a build for my '50 buisuness coupe using a non world class F-body camaro V8 box. i took it apart & reassembled it using a top cover, tailhousing & output main shaft from an S10 box. the 26 spline input will have alot more clutches available for it, namely from camaro & full size pickups & the 2.95 1st gear is alot better. see william schicklings site( http://home.twny.rr.com/shickling/1940Chevy/T5.html )he's done the same thing.
hope this helps, Robert French.

jkastner51, let me know how your making out.
thanks, robert

1985 Astrovan Clutch, you do not need any special flywheel or pressure plate for this, that is what I used in my 52 coupe with a 55 truck engine. If you need me to, I can get the parts out of storage and show you a picture as I have since moved to an auto trans. Or you can just take the clutch hub you need to a clutch shop and have the correct diameter made for about $100 if you have $50 to throw away.

Chris

I used an Astro van disc in my T5 swap. I have a 10 in. flywheel and pressure plate and the Astro disc is 9 1/2 in. It works perfectly. If the disc is slightly smaller than the press. plate and flywheel, it will grab better. The guy at the clutch house said they actually installed a 10 in. disc with a 11 in. set up, in the early Camaros for that reason.

Good Luck