Another T5 question

Using the search function but not having a lot of success. My question is regarding the differences between the electronic and mechanical speedo tail shaft housings. Is it possible to use a mechanical housing on a 90 and up version and swapping out the pickup ring for the gear? I have a chance on a 91 T5 and have a mid 80`s tail shaft as a spare.
Thanks

 

It physically works but the machined area where a mechanical gear goes on the shaft (in place of the electric sender) is in the wrong spot on the output shaft. To do it right you need to swap output shaft as well.

Good tech article here: http://www.inliners.org/Jack/T5tech.html

 

To clarify, the 91 T5 is an S10 unit and the tail shaft is pre 89 S10. I presently have the tail shaft in my 32 bolted to a WC Ford T5 and am not using the speedo, as I opted for the GPS unit due to space restrictions. Intent is to swap out the tail shafts so I can use it in a 55 Chevy with a 235 replacing the stock 4 speed.

 

So you are swapping an s-10 electric housing for a s-10 mechanical? Yes it will work. The ring and gear are in the same spot on both tail shaft housings.

 

I did this one for my 55 using a 92 S10 with an early (80's) tailshaft for the mech. speedo hookup. No big deal, biggest problem was trying to find a driven gear (drive and driven are both color coded) to come close to the actual speed. I had to wind up using a gear reducer inline also. Look at the t5 suppliers for the correct gears to match the speed. Mechanically, its a snap.
cooger

 

Yes itworks I have done it on three T5

 

All your answers are here in the Ultimate T5 thread


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171291&highlight=flat+ernie

 

Thanks for the info. After getting both apart found out they are close if not exact. I have GM p/n`s for the gears so will see where that takes me. What did you use for a clutch and disc? Will the trans bolt directly to the bell housing/engine? Did you have to shorten the input shaft?

 

I bolted a T5 to the back of a Chevy II four banger. Same bell housing clutch and flywheel as a v8. Cut about a half inch off of the input shaft and an inch off of the throw out bearing shout. Also drilled the mounting holes out to 17/32 so the half inch bolt would go through. Splines on the input shaft aren't cut back quite far enough so I took a die grinder and cut about 1/8" of the splines out of the back side of the clutch hub. Got some pics somewhere if you want to see them.