Technical Camaro T5 shift rail

I’ve searched the inter web high and low, made dozens of phone calls and picked through s**** piles. Now, I’m turning to y’all for help. Here’s what I’ve got.... 32 ford 5 window w/ 59a flathead with a Saginaw 4 speed. I’m putting in a T5 to give me more gear options in the mountains/hills and flats. I’ve got a T5 from an S10. Problem is the shifter is smack dead center of the cross member I built and would’ve put the shifter too far forward anyways. I’ve got the Camaro tail housing, which would put the shifter where my 4 spd shifter was. For the life of me, I can’t find a Camaro shift rail to put in place of the S10 shift rail. Seems everyone uses the Camaro gearbox but s****s everything else.
So, my question is: does any body know where to get a new one, a used one or have the measurements so I can machine one?
Thanks for any help!

 

I think I have a camaro shift rail at home. It may be beat up/welded on a bit (I was using it as a s**** piece). Where are you located?

 

I’m around Denver, CO

 

I might have to take you up on that piece. I could probably clean it up a bit.

 

Measure the distance from the tailhousing flange to the inner edge of the shifter mount on both tailhousings. The difference will be how much longer the shaft needs to be. Make each end like the existing ones.

 

Yessir. I like that idea. I don’t have the housing, just haven’t made the 3hr trip yet. I’m just trying to get a jump on things.

 

Be careful Gilligan.

 

I have a Camaro transmission complete. I'm looking for the S10 pieces. Have relatives in CO. Now if we could make all this work.

 

What parts are you needing?

 

Whatever it takes to swap the S10 tail housing onto my transmission.

 

I’ve already promised my S10 tailhousing to the fella with the Camaro tailhousing. I’d be willing to swap you shift rails.

 

Isn't it so much simpler to just trade the tops off the transmissions too? With the rails still attached? Why remove them?

 

It would. But you could probably ship a rail for 10 bucks. My wife says I’m cheap, I call it frugal lol.

 

Don't use the Camaro tailhousing because the rear mount is on an offset Angle
GM combined this with an offset Bell-housing to lean the Trans to the left 17 deg , then the Camaro shift lever is bent to straighten it up.

This is how they moved the shift lever to the LH side of the console

[Camaro Left and Ford Right]


Do yourself a favor and hunt down a Ford T5 tail-housing and shifter.
The Tail-housing is the same overall length and a bolt on [but it is "straight-up" with the shifter slightly further forward.
[see below, Camaro top and Ford bottom]
The Ford also uses a longer "Offset Lever" to place the shifter further rearward in the shifter housing.


Even if you don't take my advice and swap for the Camaro tail-housing, you should also swap the top cover, the offset lever, and the shifter and speedo drive

I'm sure there are plenty of HAMBers here that would do a complete swap of the parts you want as the S10 Tail-housing is quite desirable

 

Thanks Mimilan. I knew it was clocked a little but, I didn’t realize it was offset THAT MUCH. Looks like I need to re-evaluate my life choices. I’m always willing to fab a little but that might have gotten ugly.

 

Here is a T5 Camaro Shifter [on a T56] to show you how much the lever is bent . This shift lever would be vertical in a Tilted Camaro Box.

They work great in RHD cars down our way. I used that shifter for testing purposes.

Our poison is "Road Racing" where you literally live on the gear lever [26 gear changes per lap around "Bruce McLaren" Park]
We have never had any success with aftermarket shifters [Pro 5.0, Hurst, MGW etc will eventually break the 3-4 gate return springs]
We now modify the stock shifters for better shifting, and the basic design of these shifters will give you a longer service life.

I have a photographic records of how to mod these shifters if you're interested

 

I

I may take you up on that. I’m going to spend the weekend researching. Just when I think I’ve got things figured out, a new piece of info comes in and I have to start over. Lol

 

I have all the T5 pieces you need from a Ford or a Camaro. Hit me a PM.

 

If enjenjo can't help you, I have multiples of everything you need.

 

I'm guessing a large number of us are interested in the photographic records, if you don't mind sharing it? I'll say thanks in advance!

 

I'll start a thread soon and link the OP's and your username to it so you will get notified.
Right now I am modifying a T5 shifter for an early T56 [they interchange] it's in an unusual situation, but the basics are the same.

 

I didn’t want y’all to think I was blowing you off so, I want to thank everybody on here for the great info, the offers of parts etc. Due to my industry’s horrible state, I’m going to have to hold off for a bit as I find out how the layoffs and pay cuts are going to affect me. I think my money is better off staying in the coffee can for the time being. I’ll be back eventually .