The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Frustation with t5 swap

Hi, this is my first post here , although I have been reading this forum for a while. I am installing a T5 from an 85 S-10 into a 56 Chevy (wagon, with a 235). I have cut the input shaft end, lengthened the splines, cut the bearing retainer to match the length of the old three speed. I used an Astro van clutch disc and the stock pressure plate. I can't get enough clearance with pedal depressed (even with all the factory linkage adjusted). Do I need a small block pressure plate or should I try a different clutch disc, or get a custom one with the vega hub?

You may have the wrong TO brg. Chev. used 2 diff. clutches. The older style had the fingers in about the center of the pressure plate & they were parralel to the plate surface. It uses a long TO brg. with a coller between the brg. & groove. The newer style has the fingers protruding forward & come to the outer edge of the cover. These are often called beehive clutches. They use a short TO brg. where the brg is right in front of the groove. Either clutch will work but must have the correct TO brg.

Have you bolted the trans up to the engine, with the disc on the shaft, without the pressure plate, to be sure the disc is not being pushed into the flywheel?

hello petey66,, i had the same trouble . i got it to work by cutting back the splines a little further . it dosen't take much binding to grip on that disc. now some have also spaced the tranny a little away from the bell housing to releive the pushing of the tranny input on the disc,, but i think if the splines are cut back far enough, the input shaft won't push on the disc. i think from what you have posted so far that you are close to getting it. good luck, and i hope this helps.

I did all of the spline cutting etc to my T 5 install behind my 250 in my 52 Burb, and mine wouldn't work either. I'll tell you what does work is a 1/2 inch alumunun spacer between the bellhousing and tranny. Now I have to replace the input shaft on the tranny since I cut it all up and shorted it. Much simpler to machine a spacer.!!!!

Thanks everyone for the input. I am taking a couple days away from the car (have to work some doubles to pay for stuff) but when I get back to it I will pull it out and check to see if it is binding on the splines. Hopefully my next post will be a better one. Thanks.