T-5 swap question?

[Blackjeep99]

Iam doing a T-5 swap and I need to know if it is necessary to cut the bearing retainer shaft down to match the old 3sp one ? I really don't see why I would have to seeing as how the splines stop at the end of the retainer. If I do have to please explain why. Oh its a 69 swb GMC with a 75 350 thanksfor any help.

[raycow]

The input shaft and the bearing retainer on the S-10 T-5 are both longer than the same parts on the 3 speed. If you don't shorten the shaft pilot it will bottom out in the crank. If you don't shorten the retainer it will hit the clutch disc hub.

On my transmission, the splines extended under the retainer for a short distance. You will need all of the spline length for the swap. If you run out of splines before the transmission is tight against the bellhousing, you can shorten the disc hub.

The best way to tell is to install the transmission with the clutch disc only, no pressure plate. With the transmission bolted up tight, the disc must still turn easily by hand.

Ray