I have a 51 Chevy Deluxe. I'm swapping my 3 on the tree transmission with a early s10 t5. I'm running 14" Impala stocks with fat white walls( stocks were originally 15's.) I'm not sure what gear ratio to use on the replacement rear end? Using the stock 216 6 cyl. I've read s10 4x4, camaro, 55-57. But what gear ratio rear?? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Which S10 T5. There were two common ratio sets. There is sticker on the top, and a tag on one of the tail housing bolts. It says 1352-**X with the **X being a three digit number that indicates the model. This is NOT one of the numbers cast into the case. What is the exact tire size on those wheels? Post what it says on the sidewall. All three of those rear axles will work, with the S10 4x4 being the most common these days, and with the widest ratio range, right out of the yard. To hazard a WAG, I'd say 3.73:1, but more information is necessary.
Just running the numbers, too. Of course, then I got to the tire height. I used .86 5th ratio, and figured 3.73, for about 3.20 in o/d . Don't think that 216 will pull any less than that very well. Wonder what they came with?
Was a going to get a 2:73 10 bolt out of a nova 60" drum to drum. But a quick Google search had me second guessing.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
3.55:1 with the optional Powerglide. 4.11:1 with the OP's 3-speed. Depending on his tires, a 4.10:1 S10 4x4 axle might work. That 216 will self destruct if lugged for long periods. Give the two possible T5 ratio sets and the 4.10:1 rear that would be a combined final drive of: 3.53:1 with the 0.86 5th (nearly the Powerglide ratio). or 2.95:1 with the 0.72:1 5th.
I would not even consider that. You will ruin that low oil pressure, splash oiler 216, in no time flat.
195/75 or 205/70 equivalent on conversion chart Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Okay, those are roughly 25-inches tall. Stock would have been about 27-1/2" All stock (your specific setup, stock tires), at 65MPH, the engine would be turning at 3264RPM. That is about normal for a 216. With the two possible S10 T5 ratios, that wold be: 0.86: 2800RPM 0.72: 2350RPM. Given that you have a 25-inch tires, and with a 4.10:1 rear gear from and S10: 0.86: 3080RPM 0.72: 2579RPM. I think that you, and your 216 would be happiest with the 4.10:1 gears, and a S10 T5 with the 0.86:1 5th. Any combo other than that brings the RPM's down too low, taking the mechanical advantage away. That would give you much the same gearing as the factory Powerglide car (without the inherent torque converter loss), with a better first gear, more gears, and a better gear spread.
Looking at this rear end https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/pts/6075872801.html Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
T5 is being shipped, asked seller for exact model. I will update, thank you! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I am too changing my 41 Chevy coupe to a T-5 and just wondering if anybody knows if a 64-69 1/2 ton truck rear end will work too cuz of my 6 lug wheels?? Is it easier to just go with the 5 lug wheels. My T-5 is 1352-145 out of a S-10 Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
You'd need to measure the width. It has to match what you have in there, or really close. After that, it would have to have a compatible ratio. The internets say that they are 60-61" wide, and have 3.70:1 gears you should physically verify that. I seem to remember putting an S10 4x4 rear in a '37 Chevy, and those are 58". That was on a bagged car with skirts, which needed the wheels inboard. Always trust your own measurements. Alternately, although I have not done it, I have heard that you can swap spindles and all ***ociated stuff attached to them with 49-54 Chevy car stuff. Alternately, you may be able to re-drill, or have someone re-drill your front hubs and drums to 5-on-4-3/4". Any machine shop that still has its lights on in this economy can pull this off. As with all Chevy torque tube rear ends, the spring pack pin is not dead-center under the axle tube. You will need to take into account for this with any axle swap. I like the 145 T5's I have a few, and ran one in my Falcon for a while. They are a good ratio set. Hot Rod Works has an adapter to put it on your stock bellhousing, and I believe that you can use as stock S10 disc, with the stock flywheel and pressure plate. You will need to fab or buy a rear transmission mount (or you WILL break the case). http://www.hotrodworks.com/product-category/transmission-adapters/
Guy says tag won't be accurate as it was originally a t4 and he had the t5 parts to convert to a t5 when he rebuilt it. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks Gimpys!!! I think I will go with the S-10 4 by 4 rear end and I did buy the adapter from hot rod works. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Those rear axles from those years have big brackets cast into the center section on most of them for thepanhard bar for the coil spring suspension .55.56 or 57 1/2 ton rear might work as guys swap the same 5 lug rears under those as they do under the 46/54 cars quite often. They are usually a bit spend in wrecking yards but the Chevy Colorado trucks have 6 lug and a lot more gear ration choices. You might look a the 2wd z85, the factory rear end is 60 3/4" wide That's about the same as the Nova/Camaro rears that guys put under those cars a lot. Still you have have to figure out the rpm that your engine is happy with running down the road now and gear the trans and rear end so the engine stays in that rpm range but you run down the road faster.
Yup. That's the most important thing. It won't matter how many lugs it has, if it revs wrong at freeway speeds. You won't want to drive it.
My '51 Coupe has a mild 235. I used a T5 with a .86 OD, a 4x4 S10 rear with 3.23 gears ( I put in a new gear set). It turns 2600 rpm at 75 mph on 225-70 tires. It's happy at that rpm. 22 mpg. The low 4.03 1st gear overcomes that tall rear gear for spirited around town driving. Regarding the 41 front brake drums; many years ago I put 54 drums on my 41 spindles. I don't remember the bearings being a problem, but I think I had to machine the drum for it to fit into the backing plate. I don't remember exactly , it was almost 40 years ago Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks for the info and is there certain years I should look for when looking for a s-10 rear end? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Mine was from a 1985 S10 4x4. I'm not sure what all the interchanges are for it, but that should get you going. I cut off the old spring mounts and installed new mounts with lowering blocks. One nice thing about those rears is the parts are inexpensive.
Great looking 51 and I can't wait to get a pic of my 41 out on lake Bonneville and thanks again for the great info. Jason Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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