The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 3-speed to 5-speed conversion

Willy Prost · 02-20-2003, 10:05 PM

I am contemplating swapping out the Saginaw manual 3-speed in my 71 to a Tremec 3550 5-speed manual tranny. I noticed that the input bearing retainer on that transmission is the car size (4 11/16in.) Vs. the truck size (5 1/8in.). I don't want to change the clutch bellhousing to a pre-68 bellhousing. Using search I noticed that a ring can be made to press fit over the bearing retainer to make up the difference.

My questions are:
> How thick should this ring be?
> How tight a press fit is acceptable?
> Any vendors out there making such an item?
> Should the ring be made out of aluminum or steel?

02-20-2003, 10:05 PM	#1
Willy Prost Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 398	3-speed to 5-speed conversion I am contemplating swapping out the Saginaw manual 3-speed in my 71 to a Tremec 3550 5-speed manual tranny. I noticed that the input bearing retainer on that transmission is the car size (4 11/16in.) Vs. the truck size (5 1/8in.). I don't want to change the clutch bellhousing to a pre-68 bellhousing. Using search I noticed that a ring can be made to press fit over the bearing retainer to make up the difference. My questions are: > How thick should this ring be? > How tight a press fit is acceptable? > Any vendors out there making such an item? > Should the ring be made out of aluminum or steel?