new guy says Hi to all !

[trident]

I found this forum and think it's great! I enjoy reading all the post and learning more about my '66 C-10. I'm in the process of doing some upgrades and mods. I have a 292 straight 6 that I'm going to swap out the 3-speed manual trans. with a T-5 I got from a S-10. Heres a question. The T-5 has a hydrolic clutch. Anything wrong (or right) about using the hydrolic clutch? I haven't read of this being done, but don't see why it won't work. Whats the opinion out there? Thanks!

[cochran63]

Welcome to the board. I don't know the answer to your question but somebody here will.

[trident]

Thanks, I answered my own question today when I pulled the old trans. The bell housing from the S-10 wont match up, so I will be using the current one on the truck. The T-5 will match to it.

[60-66 Nut]

Hello Trident,Welcome from the Bayou State.A 4.3 V6 S10 bell housing should bolt up to the 292,but then you would need a rear trans crossmember.There could also be some starter issues.Your'e probably better off with the mechanical clutch anyway,less hassle.The T5 is likely to be a fine spline input shaft,but you should be able to use the S10 clutch disc with the 292 pressure plate.Should make a pretty neat setup,if the T5 can hold up to the 292 torque.Let us know how it turns out.Good Luck.

60-66 Nut

[zenish]

also check out www.chevytalk.com

[trident]

Today I spent some time looking for another clutch plate. I've heared that an '85 Astro will work- 11 inch w/14 spline. The first shop wants to make one (will call with price) and the seconed place was an auto supplt store that wants $175.00 for a kit that consits of the clutch plate, throwout bearing, pressure plate, and some kind of alignment tool. Also, they said that the current flex plate should be turned. Don't think I want all that stuff (or need it)- how good are the clutch plates made at a shop compared to a manufactured one? I'm not racing here, just looking for a driver. I have a rear axel to put in with a 2.73 ratio. Haven't made a choise of tires/wheels. I'm wondering if a 3.38 or 3.08 would be any better?

[60-66 Nut]

Trident,don't have any experience with shop built clutch discs,always bought them new or reman,so I can't tell you about the other.I don't know if you have any O'Reilly Auto Parts up there,but I checked with the local store here on an 11" disc for an 85' Astro 4.3V6,he told me he could get one overnight for about 32.00 reman,and of course has the kit that you mentioned also.Most parts houses have those plastic alignment tools for about 5 or 10 bucks.On the flywheel,what I usually do is lay a straitedge across the face;if it's not too warped and doesen't have any bad heat spots it's probably plenty good for a driver.2.73 gears may be a bit tall with the 5spd overdrive,but then that all depends on what you want it for.The 292 has lots of torque,so it would probably make a good highway cruiser with those gears.

[trident]

Thanks for the info. I found a NAPA shop today that can get the disc only for about the same price you mentioned. The shop that only said they could get a kit was an O'Reilly here in Kansas City area. I will check with another one as I can get a good discount there. Doesn't look like I'll get the trans. back in this weekend, so I'll work on switching the rear axel insted. Lots to do!

[Iron-Butt]

Welcome from Texas.

[trident]

got some time to work on the truck today. I drilled out the four bolt holes on the T-5 to 1/2 inch. Then test fit the trans to the bell housing. The transmision fit up well and the end of the input shaft does not need to be shortend as some have mentioned with other swaps. Next, I pulled out the trany and installed installed the clutch disk and pressure plate. I only have about 1/2 inch of the input shaft splines showing. So, what I'm going to do is this- cut the end off the old T-5 clutch housing and use it as a spacer plate. This will hopefully give me the added length to the splines. Anyone done this before? The other option I'm thinking is to make a spacer plate out of flat stock, but seems like it will be easier to to use the back of the T-5 clutch houing since the bolt pattern and the hole for the front input bearing will all line up.