Ok I'm down to the last few days to get the '53 ready for the wedding and I ran into a snag. The motor spun freely before I bolted the trans up and not it won't budge even in neutral. I used the speedway flywheel that was drilled for the s10 pressure plate as well as the s10 pressure plate and clutch disc. I used the clutch fork style adapter (916-28914) and the ram clutch hydraulic throw out bearing (605-78125). Speedway said I would need the spacer (910-25610) to make up the diference in the adapter thickness. Since this is not the flat adapter do I really need the spacer? Could that be what's binding everything up? I'm trying to make sure before I go pulling everything out again. Thanks!
Yup! The S10 T5 or a Mustang T5 needs to be mocked up without the clutch first to check length. I had to grind about 3/8 inch off the T5 I did, and the new T3550 too. Just wrap a wet rag around the input shaft, and grind away with a 4 1/2 inch hand held grinder untill the chamfer is gone, then make another chamfer. Be very carefull tightening the bolts to the bell housing so you dont break off an ear. The trans should slip in all the way and say "THUD" against the bell housing. If it wants to stay back, do NOT tighten the four bolts untill you find out why it wont say thud.
I found the issue, I should say one of the issues. The bolts I got from speedway to bolt the flywheel were too long so they were digging into the back of the block. I pulled them out and ground them down a 1/16 of an inch. After that I could spin the flywheel and turn the motor.
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