Hello, I have a 54 Chevy 3100 with the 235 and the 4-speed. I am looking to put a 5-speed out of an s10 in it as the truck struggles to even do 45 mph. I am hoping for some helpful tips and possible guidance on how to go about swapping the transmissions. Most forums I have read have said to use the stock clutch and bellhousing. I would like to confirm this is true before beginning this project. If there are any year transmissions that are more desirable for this application that would also be helpful. Thanks
Well this question usually opens a can of worms. Outside of the obvious = T-5, driveshaft, open drive rear axle with compatible gear ratio with the T-5 you are going to need a clutch disk and pilot bushing that match the T-5 input shaft or make a couple of extra changes. Lugnutz65 stepside explains it far better than I can. https://lugnutz65chevystepside.weeb...5-modification-putting-a-jeep-shaft-in-an-s10 You do not "HAVE" to use a Jeep input shaft that now runs right at 90 dollars but it does simplify things in that it runs the same 10 spline clutch that is in the truck now. No hunting for that rare and unobtainable clutch disk with the right spline hub and right diameter surface. Another way is to use the spacer plate from Davis speed and do a couple of mods to the trans as he lists in his add https://www.ebay.com/itm/3211684949...M8YE4F&hash=item4ac7225154:g:ktwAAOxyzxJR6rb2 From that add: PLEASE READ & UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE LISTING PRIOR TO PURCHASE!! FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO OUR OFFICIAL DAVIS SPEED EQUIPMENT WEBSITE AT WWW.DAVISSPEEDEQUIPMENT.COM FOR USING A 1983-1992 VINTAGE T5 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH THE 7 1/8" LONG INPUT SHAFT AND STANDARD WIDE MUNCIE CHEVY BOLT PATTERN TYPICALLY FOUND IN S10 AND SOME ASTRO VAN & CAMARO. INSTALLING ABOVE TRANS ONTO A CHEVY 1948-UP TRUCK BELLHOUSING OR 1955-UP CAR BELLHOUSING: SPACER IS 9GA. (.1495") THICK STEEL PLATE. THIS IS TYPICALLY ALL YOU NEED TO PREVENT THE CLUTCH DISC FROM BINDING ON THE INPUT SHAFT SPLINES. INSTALL PROCEDURE: 1) RUN 1/2" DRILL BIT THROUGH MAIN CASE MOUNTING HOLES 2) CUT ABOUT 1" OFF OF BEARING RETAINER COLLAR. 3) CUT OFF ABOUT 1/8"-1/4" FROM THE TIP OF THE INPUT SHAFT. 4) SANDWICH SPACER BETWEEN TRANS AND BELLHOUSING. 5) ENJOY YOUR NEW 5 SPEED. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T INSTALL YOUR CLUTCH DISC BACKWARDS!!!! WANT TO SEE MY OTHER PARTS? 1) THEN GO TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. 2) LOOK UNDER MY USER I.D. 3) CLICK ON "VISIT STORE" WHILE THERE ARE THICKER AND MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE SPACERS ON THE MARKET, THE ONLY ADVANTAGE TO THOSE IS THAT YOU WOULDN'T NEED TO TRIM THE TIP OF THE INPUT SHAFT. YOU STILL WOULD NEED TO MAKE ALL OF THE OTHER CHANGES AS LISTED ABOVE, SO THERE IS REALLY NO SUCH THING AS BEING ABLE TO INSTALL ONE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS WITHOUT SOME SORT OF MODIFICATIONS TO IT. DESIGN IS THE PROPERTY OF DAVIS SPEED EQUIPMENT, LLC The simple rear axle swap would be the traditional 55/59 6 lug rear end that will fit with changing the axle seats and I would suggest springing for a pair from classic parts that locate the axle in the wheel well right and also set the ride height the same as it was with the stock torque tube drive. A few bucks to save a lot of hassles. Now to totally confuse you, I have an AX-15 out of a 96 V8 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive With a Novak adapter to bolt it to my Chevy bellhousing going in my 48. I sold the Dodge V8 Bellhousing on Ebay for most of the cost of the adapter. Not for everyone but it is an option.
What seems to be the limiting factor that doesn't allow it to go over 45? If it's rpm a T5 (or any overdrive trans) wont suddenly turn it into a freeway cruiser.
My gmc with 235 and 3:55 gears could cruise 60 no problem with a 3 speed Not all t5 s10 trans are the same. Some are 4 speeds. The 4cyl ones have lower gears and shorter OD The 2.8 v6 ones have more OD. The early 90s ones changed bolt pattern from the standard gm The Camaro ones have closer ratios. I haven’t installed one but a friend shortened the input shaft, but think had to shorten the input bearing retainer. The trans bolted up to the original bell Used a disc for a 5 speed Astro van. Largest stock disc. There’s tons of info here and elsewhere
I bought a t4 by accident once, it didn't have the shifter installed so I didn't catch it until I got home. It was cheap enough that I wasn't really disappointed as I used it for parts, the tail shaft housing with the speedo connection will fit a T5 for example. But, back to the OP, there has been some great info for him here but, again, if he can't go over 45 now what's an over drive going to do ? 60 mph? I suspect he has some loooooow gears in the rear end. Might be better served with looking at that first.
I think maybe the OP is “hearing” the noise, maybe comparing it to a daily driver. The 6 should be fine at 3k rpms all day. Put a tachometer in the truck. If it can’t get to 3k easily, then there’s another problem (s).
There used to be a bunch of info on the stovebolt chevy site. Do a search on here also. @KCMongo as well.
Here is some info on the transmissions. Go to Amazon and buy a copy of this book. It will save you more than it costs and has info on the T5s. About $25 I would contact Ky Clutch and ask them what clutch and disc and throw out bearing. They have rebuilt ones very reasonable, or they can supply you with a new one. I would just buy a rebuilt one for your conversion. 502 955 9173
I believe you are correct in some cases. I seem to remember reading that the "early" T4's maybe didn't have the bump. Mine did have the bump and bolted right up to a T5. It's been a few years but I think the only thing I had to do was modify the tang on the T5 reverse brake so it wouldn't interfere with the T4 case. This a pic of the T4, ran it for a summer and just wanted the overdrive so I used it for parts on a T5.
If it does not have the bump, it is definitely a T4. There is a catch. If it it has the bump, it might still be a T4. There was a period of time when Borg Warner must have run short on T4 tail housings, so they used T5 ones. I have seen several. 1352 (T5 prefix) in the tail housing part number, 1351 (T4 prefix) on the top sticker and tag. To further complicate matters, until the case got a minor revision, the T5 still used the same main housing as the T4, so it has a part number that starts with 1351. Don't be fooled. You can ID these from a safe distance, if they have the line sticker on the top cover, even without reading the number. The band on the sticker where the model number and production code is color-coded. A 1351 (T4) has a blue band. A 1352 (T5) has a green band.
I would look into why it is struggling before adding a few gears. I drove a '51 3100 for a little while, and it had a splash-oiler 216 and the stock 3-speed. I could still keep it at freeway speeds. It was a little loud, but it kept to 65, in the slow lane. Yes, it did sound like I was wringing its neck, but it held up just fine.
I did a whole thread on it in the 216 social group but the 235 is the same : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/transmission-options-for-216.902580/
For a readily available open drive rear ends, the early Colorado rears are bolt ins to the Advance Design pickups. Same 6 bolt lug pattern, same width, and the spring pads are in the right place.
Another rear option is c10 6 lugs. If keeping it that Mine had a Dana 44 from an early 60s c10. The 355s were perfect
I did similar with a mid 60’s GMC rear for my ‘59, but had to change and alter pad location. Did things line up for you? Upside using the modern rear is it’s probably easier to find than 50/60 year old parts.
Not quite a “parallel” set up then But I used the pads off my ‘59 for the width, never actually measured things that was on the GMC rear.
Little Truckdoctor and I just finished installing a 1969 C-10 12 bolt in Papaw. It fit very nicely, we cut off the coil spring axle saddles and used a pair of offset ones from Classic Industries.
Thanks for the suggestion I was looking at 73-83 4x4 rear axles for a swap, but that sound a lot easier.
The T4 extension housing does have the bulge for fifth gear. What it doesn't have is the correct shift gate plate to allow shifting into fifth. I'm about to get back on this to grind the necessary slot for it to work
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