I'm looking at putting a T5 in my 51 Pontiac and everything I've read about this conversion involves Chevys. Can someone tell me if the bellhousing for a Pontiac 239 (casting number is 5837415) would be the same as those used in Chevy's ?? Thanks for the help !!!!
The pattern on your Pontiac bell isn't even close to a Chevy transmission. You'll have to make an adapter plate, and also enlarge the center hole in your housing.
Bendtsen's list a kit for st8's. The mpc shows the same clutch housing for 41-42,46-54's all with st - #514001. I don't see why it wouldn't fit the 6 also. I would contact them to see if anyone has put their on a 239. http://www.transmissionadapters.com/early_pontiac.htm Once you get it figured out if this will work please let me know, I have a saginaw I would like to put in my 41 as well.
Will a 49-54 Chevy trans physically bolt up to the Pontiac bell? I can't remember which trans Pontiac uses in that period - seems to me there's a light duty (Chevy cars) a meduim duty (Buick Special, Super, Olds six) and a heavy duty (big Buick/Olds, Caddy). I know that they used a small trans through '57, but I never thought to compare the pattern on that bell to an early Chevy bell or trans. But if the Chevy trans will bolt up then to put a T5 on you just need the adapter plate that Buffalo Enterprises sells. $125 or so and they machine your input shaft as needed.
I did a similar swap with a 3 speed saganaw in a 47 Pontiac straight 8. It will fit the top two bolt holes with some opening of the upper holes. I the bolted a 2 by 2 inch angle iron to the base of the bell housing to locate the lower holes. I removed the throw out bearing collar from the box and used the Pontiac set up. Sounds a little complicated but it worked well and its been 14 years now. Steve
I would think the 4 speed like what I have would be the same deal as the 3 spd, what clutch disc and pressure plate did U use?
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