T5 tranny conversion 1st gen stovebolt

does anyone know if a T5 tranny will bolt up to an original 1932 chev 194 cu in ??

 

Not a bolt up, but can be made to work.

 

any further information other than "it can be done" ?? anyone done this?

 

That early motor uses a different bellhousing than the later motors. I think the change was 1937 but this is earlier than I really know. And the transmission bolt pattern is different than the later transmissions. It was not until 1948 that GM trucks started using a bellhousing that fits the T-5 and it was later for cars.

I don't know how others have solved the problem, but I would investigate an adapter between the stock bellhousing and the transmission.

I assume you are converting the rear to open drive at the same time.

If it were me, I'd upgrade to a later motor. Just a few years later and you have a much better motor that will use an even later bellhousing that will better support the transmission you want to use.

 

I would have to agree with Steve, swap to a later motor and use the T5, you would probably be a lot happier.

 

I've been thinking along these lines as well- if the '32 has a stamped steel bellhousing like my '28, it should be a pretty easy modification... at least easier than modifying a cast BH.

 

I thought about putting a t-5 behind a 1957 235 inline 6. how would that work? would it eaiser?

 

there are dozens of threads on t5's behind 235's....


lots of good tech. search and ye shall find

 

thanks for responding everyone.. my whole objective here is to keep the 32 engine... I have a 216 and a 235 and many other engines.. this thing is just unique not to mention "cool" beyond belief. I just want an open driveline and a rearend with juice brakes and thought a t5 might be a good choice... maybe a regular old chevy three speed would bolt up easier?? I appreciate ANY info on this. Ive read all the tech articles mentioned.. they dont cover anything this old.. sounds like the odds are against me....

 

the t-5 will bolt up to the 235 bellhousing,one hole will be alittle off center,drill and retap thats it

 

yeah, I know that.. but they are saying the 235 bell housing wont fit my engine..

 

got any pic's of the bellhousing? what side of the river you on?

 

Ken,

Just sharing what you and I emailed about last night- a '53 Chevy truck (and maybe other years) front and rear axles will bolt right up to an early Chevrolet frame. This will give you hydraulic brakes, open driveline, roughly a 3" drop in the front, and still give you the 6 lug pattern for wood/disk/wire wheels.

 

thanks.. yeah thats good stuff... I still have to deal with the tranny/bell housing issue before I can swap rearends..

 

1/2-ton Chevy and GMC trucks used a torque tube through '54. The '55 1st were the first 1/2-ton trucks with open drivelines. In '47 to '54 the only trucks with 6-lugs where 1/2-ton; the larger trucks were 8- or 10-lug.

 

having trouble with the page loading.. hope this doesnt post twice! anyway.. no pictures of the bell housing "yet"
im on the dry side

 

I wouldn't think it would be that complicated of a procedure. I'm quite sure that the input shaft of a T-5 is longer than your stock input, so that allows a certain thickness for the adapter plate. A slab of aluminum with four countersunk holes for the bell housing pattern and four '55-up Chevy transmission pattern holes for the T-5 should get you going. A 9 inch clutch plate from a V6 Camaro/Firebird should be usable with your flywheel.

 

thanks Heathen.. I did some measuring and found out that the bell housing on the 32 is the same depth as a 235 bell housing. that should make things a little easier.. at least its more like doing one on a 235. gonna call buffalo Steve tomorrow and see what he thinks...

 

Keep us posted!!!

 

ken, got your pic's and give me a call as it looks doable.

 

does this help
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20583

 

link for new transmission adaptor! cool stuff ken! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYyNJnFc4rE

 

couldnt find anyone who had done a t5 conversion on a chevy as old as mine so.. with a little nudge from "55 Dude" and "Heathen", I rolled up my sleves and went at it. I built my adapter plate and "Al" at commercial brake and clutch is building a clutch disk for me this week. I believe the original throwout bearing and pressure plate is going to work. here is a link to my youtube post regarding the adapter. I dont have a milling machine but I had the "want to" thanks again guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBq4VOzOj6g

 

Ken,

Looks good- your bellhousing is a tad newer than mine (although someone did torch a nice "inspection hole" in it to resemble yours... ).

Two questions:

1) How deep is your bellhousing?

2) Would you be willing to make a paper pattern of your adapter plate that you could "share" ???

Thanks, Bill

 

ken the only change i would make would be to use socket flathead screws to attach adaptor to bellhousing using bevel instead of recess.

 

How do you plan on upgrading the brakes??

 

mink watch the other youtube videos he has and it will tell you. damm ken now i have to get my 38' ford going now! see ya in the spring.

 

I like the way you think mating new technology to an old engine.

A word of caution though.

If the input shaft is more than 3-4 thousands of an inch from dead parallel with the crank centre-line you'll chew the input shaft bearings over time.

I had an adapter plate machined for my Packard gearbox to Chev bellhousing, and I had a step machined in it on the bellbousing side. This step went into the bellhousing bearing retainer locating hole, and the larger Packard Input chaft bearing retainer was dialled in off this hole. The plate's faces were machined parallel, which ensures that there is no run-out on the input shaft due to an angled adapter plate, and when the locating holes were dialled in off one another - there is again no run-out due to deffering centres between the 2 holes.

Am I making myself clear, as its difficult to explain without diagrams?

To make it a little easier to see my point I've included some pictures I've saved along the way

 

couple really cool things about this adaptor is "lobuck all the way","made without machine tools!" and the t-5 will probably outlast the babbit banger it's attached to!

 

ken post the latest you tube link it's pretty cool. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5iFXLCEPs