The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Changing tranny to 83-87 s-10 5speed overdrive

1957 3100 series short bed, 235, 4 speed Muncie. Need opinions on changing my tranny to a Chevy S-10, 5 Speed with Overdrive from a Chevy S-10 truck with a V6 motor. This will be my daily driver. Will be adding dual exhaust with 2 Carter Weber 2 barrels. Thanks, Roller

you could get a 3.38 rear gear set from Patricks in AZ or cobble up something with a car rear from a wrecker

Bill

or you can do like I did and switch it all out with an s-10 t-5 and an s-10 rear, my truck cruises at 65+ on the interstate with the original 216 engine with no strain at all....or go the cheap way and go to the local junkyard and pickup an s-10 rear, hardest part is welding up a new set of spring perches, install it and go...monte carlo and nova rears work well too

I went with Patricks on my 59 and could not be happier. 235, four on the floor, modern tires and I roll at 75 for a 120 mile each way weekend one a month issue free on the highway. It's a good option.

Another option is the SM319 OD transmission. You'll still have your 3.90 gears when you need them and 2.70 something in OD. I have one in my '54 and love it.

What Tranny do you have ?

I'm referring to this one.

I was planning on installing a 3.38:1 kit in my truck but was talked out of it. The kit for everything was about 600 usd plus installation. This was the reason you will spend about $1000.00 to gain about 10% more.(you can do the math) I was recommened to do a t-5 tranny from a s-10 and you can use the same clutch housing. For me I would not lose my foot start and I would get better gas milage and make the motor work less. Unless you are having a differential problem my 2 cents are just change out the tranny. I guess to each is their own and you are not wrong with going with what you want.

Roller,

Come see me when you have the time and I'll show you what I've done to my '50 3100. It may not be ideal but it seems like you're heading down a similar path that I took a few years ago.

I have a '60 235 engine, slightly hopped up with an '85 T-5 transmission from an S-10 and a '58 rear end with 3.90:1 gears. I have modern Diamondback tires and can cruise at 60+ without a problem. I need to tighten up the steering box before I take it out for a faster highway test, but the engine was not holding me back at 60 mph.

There is also another 'bolter in Orlando who walked me through every step of the process. I'll dig up his contact info (I haven't seen him on the forum lately).

im from the F section, right off florida park drive

SO I've been thinking of regearing my 65 230 4spd C10 to higher gears for better highway driveability. The question is how high can you go before you lose much power? I prefer to keep the stock 4spd 230 setup; maybe just regear or swap out the rear. I see you guys recommending a 3.38 gearset. How does this all work out as far as power and going up hills and such? Thanks....

3.38 is a good gear with a 4 spd behind it, you should be ok, as long you're not climbing big steep mountains

Thanks. There is lots of hills where I live unfortunately so I'm thinking a 3.55 might be the ticket.

an overdrive trans would be a better ticket and much cheaper

Bill

OD transmission cheaper??? Am I missing something here? I could get a set of gears for 250$ and set them up myself. Or better yet find a set at the junkyard, if I only knew what interchanged with my truck. A tranny swap would involve finding a 700R4, getting it rebuilt then getting a cross member, driveshaft. Where is that cheaper??? If you go manual then you have the clutch and all that stuff to worry about on top of that. I prefer not to change out my transmission.

Have you set up a drive axle before?

Matt - where have you found good 3.55 gears for $250? was there an option for the 60's trucks? what makes you think a junk yard find wouldn't already be worn out?

I said nothing about an automatic - you already have everything for a manual trans except the correct factory OD, an option for many years - likely have to change the drive shaft length, but otherwise a direct bolt in, no grief, and they've been offered in the swap here for $1-200 .... if you find an OD from 68 up it even has a syncro 1st

Bill

Closest to a 3.55 ratio for that rear will be a 3.42, Looks like the average price for that gearset (R&P only, no install kit) is right around $200, new. Figure about another $100 for the install kit. That gear would require a 3 series carrier (3.08-3.42), which would add around another $370-$700, depending on whether it was an open diff or Positrac.

I deal used gears online and believe it or not the junkyard gearsets are actually in great shape about 90 out of 100 in my experience. You can pickup a set for pennies at the u pull yard in comparison to new stuff.

Also, I'd rather put in a used factory Dana, GM, Mopar etc rather than a new yukon or other aftermarket set. They were simply better quality. I've known tons of people who use used gears and never heard a complaint. Lots of mechanics won't set them up for you but it's not rocket science. I've setup a couple myself for my Jeep use. Backlash, pinion depth then you just study the gear patterns to assure you're right on it. I wouldn't want to do it for a living as it is involved but I'll set up my own gears in a heartbeat before I pay some mechanic $300+ in labor. The worst part of it all is lots of newer/younger mechanics won't take the proper care. I've heard of lots of stories where a "mechanic" setup new gears and a year later the poor customer has a pumkin fool of teeth and metal.

With that said, would my truck be to underpowered with 3.42 gears?

Hey, im new to doing forums like this but i wanted to give you my input. i have a 1961 chevy apache 20 with a 305 v8 and i just had jim sibley of deer park washington do a t5 s10 tranny swap on it. there is a lot of little tedious things that we ran in to but when it was all said and done, it was a thousand times better than the ch465 3 speed with granny that was originally in it. i recommend doing it, as long as you have the know how and tools though. -Ray