The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Do all s 10's have 5 speeds ?

I found an 83 s 10 in a junk yard but I don't know how to tell if it is a five speed or not I cant ask anyone at the junkyard, they don't speak english. any help?

4 speeds are pretty common too. Check if the shifter will move towards the dash from neutral in 3 different positions which would be gear 1 at left, 3 at center, and 5 to the right. The shift knob should show you too if it's still there.

Print this chart out and take it with you to the junk yard.The numbers in the left hand column id the model number.Most of these transmission have a sticker tag with the model number printed on it.I believe this tag is on the top side of the transmission.
Transmission model numbers

I've also got a list here. I keep a print out of the consolidated list in my tool box so I can tell what I'm looking at when I run across them.

T5 List

Mongo

So what about the T5 "looking" transmission you find out of the vehicle at the salvage yard and it doesn't have a tag or bar-code decal? If you determine that it IS a T5, how are you going to determine WHICH T5 it really is; a .86 OD with the 4.03 1st gear or the .72 OD with the 3.76 1st gear. And maybe it's a Camaro box without a tag or bar-code sticker. It makes a BIG difference if you're trying to lock-in on the differential R&P ratio. The .72 works great with a 3.42-3.90 R&P while the .86 is more applicable with the 2.70's and 3.08's. And I wouldn't count on the yard folks to know!!!

In reality, it's pretty easy if you use the following steps:

1. Put the transmission into 5th gear.
2. Make a crayon mark at the 12 O'clock position on both the front splined (input) shaft and the rear splined (output) shaft.
3. Rotate the OUTPUT shaft 360 degrees and check the INPUT shaft mark to see what part of 360 degrees it rotated.
4. If the INPUT shaft rotated MORE than 270 degrees (3/4 rotation or past the 9:00 position) you've got a .86 box. If it rotates slightly LESS than 270 degrees (about 8:00) it's going to be a .72 box. If it's a Camaro box it'll likely be less than the 8:00 position but more than the 6:00 position or a .63 box. If it WERE (hypothetically)6:00 it would have a .50 ratio.

I've used this little procedure a number of times and have identified several boxes that were offered as .72 (preferred ratio) if you want to use the 3rd generation Camaro 3.42 diff, that turned out to be the .86 OD with the 4.03 (short) 1st gear.
Regardless of which T5 you're hunting this little trick will eliminate the guesswork. Hope this helps.

Dave

Thanks guys for the help ! I am going back to the junk yard sat. better prepared ! I wouldn't have the courage to do some of this stuff w/out your help. love the site!!!

Remember, the T4 is a T5 without the 5th gear or the space to mount it (no bulge in the tail stock)

Is the tail houseing different? I always thought you could use a 4 speed rear housing on a 5 speed with electronic speedo to get the speedo drive by changing the detent plate with the one from the 5 speed. It't seems to me I did this once.

No, the tail housings are different. While some T4's did get the T5 tail (my guess is BW ran out of the T4's) the majority of them get a 4-speed specific tail. No cavity for 5th gear. If you got one of the T4's with the T5 tail, you fount the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Thanks for the info. Scott. I did one once. I guess I hap penned to get lucky & got one that would work. My friend & I went out last week & got the rear housing off a 4 speed at the pull it yourself yard. Two old men laid in wet gravel for an hour & paid $25 for it. Now I look at it & it's quite obvious it won't fit. I guess you are never too old to learn.

George,

I will bet the two old men loved what they were doing at the moment. You are the 'youngest' old man I know and I still enjoy your posts.

Stuart

How about a t -5 from a 92 s- 10 ? will it fit ?

Yes with the normal modifications, but it will have a electronic speedo drive. You will need a inverter or electronic speedo.