The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop I finished my T-5 tranny swap!

Well just after a few weeks of converting to an open driveline I still yearned for more speed. I have spent countless hours underneath my truck in the last few months and went for a T-5 trans from a Chevy S-10. I can't believe the difference it made. It's soooo quiet, smooth and quick shifting . This is the best thing that I've done yet to my truck. I've only driven around the block a few times (it won't stop raining :mad: ) but I can already tell that it's a HUGE inprovement. I took lots-o-pictures of every process along the way and posted them on my Yahoo Photo Album . Have a look, it's in the "Tranny Swap" file. If you're in the thinking stages of swapping for a T-5, I highly recommend it!

Hey John -

Lookin' real good!

I'm finished with most all of the prep work and ready to pull the old rear end and tranmission out! Your work is an inspiration and I can't wait to get started.

It looks great!

Joe

Nice job John! You did an excellent job of documenting this upgrade as well.

Jim

been there but had mine done by a shop. yours looks better. you are correct it is a world of difference, like a lot of things i have done to improve the beast i wish i had done it years ago. BRAVO. ron

Great job John .
My son also wants to replace his 3 speed to an S-10 5 speed behind a 350 engine in his '60 Burb.

I take it that the adapter plate is necessary because the tranny's input shaft is too long or was the 3 speed transmission bolt pattern different? How thick is the plate? Would an adapter plate be needed behind a 350 engine?

I'll be helping him do the change out so I'm getting my ducks in a row

Super job John, especially like the modified crossmemeber. When you write your how-to book I want an autographed copy.

Jim

John - Great installation. This is the best how to I've seen. I'm sure you will enjoy the new found speed.

Do you think you might have to fab some sort of bracket to connect the pedal assembly to the trans or is there enough support just from the bell housing.

Tell your son to keep the program for that adaptor plate, there will likely be a market for a piece of art like that. A true artist.

Thanks for the pictures.

George

John- very doggone nice!

I've put an S10 in my 51 coupe and am going to do the same in my 51 1/2 ton. You've made it look too easy! These trannys are great! Got another one?????? Or know where I can get one???? They're becoming hard to get in the SF Bay Area. Hey, you live in Ranco Cordova. Isn't there a good wrecking yard up there??????

Is the bolt pattern on the existing tranny to bell housing is the same for the 49-54 passenger car? If so, BUFFALO ENTERPRISES makes an adaptor plate for $110.00. Just a thought!

Thanks for sharing!
Tom

Thanks for sharing!
I'm about to do the same on my '53.
Couple questions. Does the bearing retainer have to be shortened? or why?

Colin

Congratulations on a fine job John!
Very informative photos of the process too.

Greg

John, great job and detailed pix

I need to get me a knob like yours,, what is it and where did you get it,, also, you may have mentioned it but what yr s-10 did you use?

mine has been in over 2 yrs and I love it..regards.Fred

Hey Snegrah, I sent you an email.

i do like your work
nice job john

Thanks alot everyone. I went cruising around the neigherhood this evening and I can't believe how much funner it is now!

Seon-I used an adapter plate 'cause the bolt pattern on my bellhousing didn't match the bolt pattern on the T-5, plus the input shaft on the T-5 is longer. I don't know anything about installing onto a 350.

George-I couldn't find a decent way to attach the pedal bracket to the tranny. I still might figure it out later on, but for now, it seems to be plenty rigid with just the 3 bolts.

Snegrah-I found mine on craigslist.org, I posted a wanted ad in the auto parts section and got several responces the next day. I bought it from a guy less than 2 miles from my house.

Colin-I shortened my bearing retainer 'cause it was preventing the clutch disc from sliding back.

Joker-I got my knob from the fillingstation.com, my T-5 is from an '85 Chevy S-10.

I guess I just have to put it together and see.
Thanks!
Colin

those plain shift knobs are about $4-5.00
try a local tractor shop

http://www.tractorpartsinc.com/ford_tractor_shifter_boots__knobs_1049_ctg.htm


http://www.tractorpartsinc.com/scar...q%3Dtractor+shift+knob%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

Thanks for the great pictures. I have been concidering this type swap for my 37 truck. Mine still has the 3 speed and closed driveline. Keep us informed as to how well it works and any benefits or problems you find.
Charles

step, thanks for the reply back on the knob

Wow, this is a beautiful job. I really appreciate those who take the time to dicument these projects so the rest of us can see how it's done! I'm curious about the clutch, assuming your engine is original? is the 11" clutch standard or did you change that out to something else? I'm in the process of changing my 51 AD 3sp to a Saginal 4sp with a Patrick's torque tube conversion kit and I'm wondeiring if there is a better option that the stock 9" At least I think it's 9 inches. Thanks again for the post.

Great job John, Something I'll keep in mind for the 41 if I ever decide to get rid of the torque tube and the crash box.

Reall appreciate the effort you've gone to in documenting everything. Thats a pretty handy young bloke that you've got there.

All the best

Bob

Snegrah, off of sunrise Blvd. in Rancho Cordova theres a rode called Recycle road. It has a bunch of recycling yards. Very sharp truck John! Looks like you gonna have some fun this summer hitting the cruise nights .

Very cool install. I am planning on doing the same to my 55 2nd series. It has a 350 with the orginal 4 speed.