Ok I wanna get down and do this swap on my 54 belair. Done a lot of searches for along time and read lots of articles on this conversion, but still dont really have alot of useful information on the actual swap. Only thing Ive really come up with is is what kind of T5 to get, that I need the truck bellhousing and have to trim the input shaft on the tranny ( dont really no how much) whats up with the clutch, pressure plates flywheels, starter etc.. Anyone actually completed the swap on a car. Any info would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Phil
I'm waiting on an adapter from a place called buffalo enterprises for my 53 chevy with 235. This adapter uses the stock bell housing and clutch parts from the car. The only item not 'stock' to your ride is the clutch disk itself. That has to be from the S-10. You send him the input bearing retainer where the throw out bearing rides and he machines it, then send's the adapter and housing back.. total deal is about 140.00 and from what i've been told id a very straight forward swap. He has a web sight, just search for Buffalo Enterprises on the net, but he deal's over the phone.. Seem's like a real nice old time car guy that know's these thing's well. I liked this design because you keep your og bell etc.. Just an option... Tony
Knuckle Nuts what do you think is LayN under Abs Truck,, casted Bell housing out of aluminum coming soo F!@# the weight, no adapter Mcloud throughout bearing over Stock collar..
This guy Sellers, always Sellin somtin , pshhhhh!!!!!!!!! Maybe ill just come and take one from you! Thought you said you were gonna makem for the automatic trannys Gimmie a call homie
I would go with what Tony is talking about. One of the guys in my club has a 54 car and set it up with a truck bellhousing. He has had constant issues trying to get the clutch linkage "right". It works but not well. He too is now going with that adapter to the stock car bellhousing.
The adapter mate's the bolt patterns of the stock bell and the T5. I believe he said they were 1/2" thick and that also move's the trans back so i don't believe you have to cut the unput shaft down either. The stock bell won't work simply because the T5 won't bolt to it.
Hmmmm... I'm getting ready to swap in a T5 in a 57 Chevy w/235. I checked the T5 bolt holes against a spare 283 bell housing, and the holes line up perfectly.
you're both right. The T5 will bolt to a post 54 bellhousing - same bolt patern. the adapter is required for a PRE-55 bellhousing, as the locating hole in the bell is smaller, the gearbox bolt-pattern different, and therefore needing an adapter and some machining of the bearing cover/gearbox locating ring. hope that dispells the confusion.
Now I remember... DUH! (I keep forgetting that Chevrolet actually built cars before 1955... ) Thanks for clearing that up for us.
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