The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop T5 trans into stock '46 truck behind 216 or 235

46 1/2 ton

I currently have a stock 216 with a 3 spd and factory rearend with 4.11 gears. I want to be able to drive it at about 60-65 mph when needed.

Is it possible to run a T5 trans behind the 216 or 235(I may replace it with a 235 I have) and keep the closed drive shaft? I saw a thread somewhere where some replaced the gears of their stock 40s differential with gearing from a newer (60s if I remember correctly) Chevy truck. This allowed them to use the open driveshaft.

Or do I have to replace the entired rearend to go with an open driveshaft?

I know I can order the 3.55 ring and pinion gear but that still doesnt answer the closed driveshaft question and how it would mate up to the T5.

Has anyone on the board made this swap? I assume an adapter plate is needed for the T5 to mate up to the 216/235. Anything else needed to be fabbed or bought? Will the T5 interfere with my master cylinder or foot starter? Will the stick shift be close to the stock location? Will the factory speedo work and if so, how will it attach to the T5 trans?

Any advice or links or anything else on this subject is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It can be done. You will have to go to an open drive shaft. You will be able to do 60-65 mph. I had mine up to 80 mph (not recommended). As you probably realize, the 235 is a better choice for an engine, but the T-5 transmission will give you good use from your 216.

There are several on this board that have made this swap. My swap was into a 37. I'm not sure you can use your current rear end. I don't know if the pumpkin will change out. Mine didn't, but there is some differences between 37 and 46. Even if you have to replace the whole rear end, it's a good trade off.
You will need an adapter plate. There are several to choose from. I used a Buffalo Enterprises plate from Steve at Buffalo. You will have to fabricate your master cylinder mount to work with the T-5, but it's not a hard fabrication. Your current master cylinder will work and so will you starter.
The stick shift will move back about 8" or 9", but should still work fine. The speedo will work with an adapter that most speedometer shops have or you can find one online.
I did mine by myself in my shop with no help. That means you can do it.
Check the "Tech Tips" on this site. John Sandoval wrote a great article on the T-5 installation into his 41 1/2 ton truck. I know John addressed all of the items necessary to do the deal.
Joe

big tee,
I did it to my 46 in the driveway under a tree. All of the pictures of my projects are on the Fickr link below: the closed to open swap and the T-5 install. I did mine from John Sandoval project pictures and 6cylindersovertexas is right, it is actually a pretty fun project and between everyone on the site you can ge it done.
Feel free to PM me with specific questions and happy to answer them for you.
Do a search too, numbers and years for the t-5 aquasition, adapter(s), etc. It is all recorded.
Cavebull

Hey Cavebull

Maybe you can help me... I just put my flywheel in with the clutch and pressure plate set up...snapped in my clutch fork and set throw out bearing in... before i put trans in i moved the clutch fork to see how contact would be made between pressure plate and throw out bearing... it is just touching and there is no more room left on the fork...( it is hitting the bell housing).

I should have mentioned my set up i guess.... I have a 1962 261 with a bell housing(i believe 42 - 53) I had modified by Buffalo Enterprises to accept my original pedals. I have an NOS flywheel and pressure plate (9 1/8").

Could it be i need one of the following...1)longer throw out bearing 2) different clutch fork 3) different ball where clutch fork attaches.

Any help would be appreciated

Matt

forgot to mention that the pressure plate is a 42 - 53 nos unit... if it matters

Matt

Cavebull,

Did you have to turn down the bearing retainer to fit the throwout bearing?

I'm in the middle of the T5 swap on my 46 and the throwout bearing doesn't fit over the bearing retainer. It's probably in a little bit off, but it certainly doesn't fit.

Also, did you use the short throwout bearing?

I'll chime in here. I used my original throwout bearing onto the t-5 bearing retainer. It fit on mine. Is your original tranny a 4 speed? Mine was. Also, I did trim about 1/4" off of the end of the bearing retainer. Pictures of my swap is here.

I did the same swap on a '41 3/4 ton. Buffalo adapter plate, no changes to the T-5 bearing retainer or input shaft, an 11 inch clutch disc, original pressure plate, and the original throw-out bearing. A new replacement throw-out bearing wouldn't release the clutch enough to shift. Only driven about 50-60 miles so far but seems to work great.

InMy40s,
Buffalo Ent. made the adapter for me and I sent him the retainer. He trimmed the length down as needed.
I used the parts referenced by John. The TOB fit over the retained without turning.
Matt,
Where do you stand you get the fork problem - figured out?
Cavebull

Matt,
Found this thread searching for brake brackets. Search "42-46 bellhousing" in subject line in Engine Driveline cat. Might answer your question. Bellhousings have a different pivot point for fork ball it appears.
Cavebull

Cavebull

As of now i think i need the longer throw out bearing... reading through my emails from tom langdon i see he said the short throw out bearing will work with modern pressure plates... the TOB i have is like 1.25" But i am going to search as you suggested.