Well, I've got a problem with my T5 conversion behind my flathead. To start off, I'm using a WC Camaro box (it has the ford bolt pattern), but I mocked up the drivetrain with a S10 box. I'm using an Offenhauser adapter, which worked out perfect for the muncie bolt pattern S10 box. Well, I picked up this rebuilt Camaro T5 with a S10 tailhousing pretty cheap, but of course it had a different bolt pattern. Wilcap cut me a plate that goes from my Offenhauser adapter to a Ford bolt pattern. So everything seem to be great, the input shaft only had to be shortened about 1/4" where it goes into the pilot bearing. But here's my problem: The splines on the input shaft only enter the clutch disc about 3/16"! I know this can't be enough, but can anyone tell me what the minimum distance can be? I'm not sure what to do, but I'm leaning towards seeing if I can get some material milled off of the Offy piece to make up some distance. Has anyone ever had this problem before? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
You are right, 3/16" is wayyyy too little engagement for the input splines in the clutch hub. The splines on the input should completely fill the hub in the clutch disc. The problem came in when you had to add the adapter plate between the bell and the Ford pattern main case. Chevy input shafts are all roughly the same length. Whatever the thickness is of the GM to Ford adapter plate is roughly the amount the input is short of filling the hub in the disc. A solution would be to swap the Camaro internals into a GM bolt pattern main trans case, lose the GM to Ford adapter, and bolt the trans right to the Offy bell housing. Remember, World Class gears in a World Class case, Non-World Class gears in a Non-World Class case. That is all I think I know. Piper106.
Can't remember where I read it, but Offy sells an adapter plate also, but the bell housing adapter is, I think, 5/8 of an inch shorter so the plate works. They seem to forget to mention it. Buflochp
I think with the Ford pattern you can get by without the Offy adapter. It's been a while since I ws checking but I think you can use a factory Ford piece with a few mods and bolt the T5 up. Maybe Flat Ernie can help - he's pretty good with the T5 stuff. Mike Bishop could probably help too, I think his HAMB name is AV8.
The Offy adaptor that is used with the Ford adaptor plate has a different part number and is actually about 5/8 shorter than the standard early Ford to Chevy adaptor just as buflochp stated. I have customers that pick up this adaptor at a swap meet and really have a problem trying to get a chevy trans to work. To thin.
If it were me, I'd find an earlier Camaro T5 case with the Chevy pattern. Your only other option may be to have a custom clutch disk made up. If you've got a good clutch rebuilder, they might be able to hook you up with a difference center that would stick up some more. Otherwise, there are several adapters to put the Ford pattern T5 behind a flathead. There's a good thread over on Fordbarn about a week or two ago covering similar issues - wortht a look.
Thanks for all of your input guys. I just got off the phone with Pat from Wilcap - talk about some great customer service. He read my post and sent me a PM to call him for some help. He told me what I needed to do to fix the problem which is going to consist of milling some material off of the bellhousing side of the Offy piece and having a clutch disc made with the hub off center toward the tranny. Once again, a great product and great support!
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