The Official John Lee Jr Thread

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by Sharps40

Course, the new shifter boot will prolly look so good that I'll have ta replace the somewhat ratty original rubber floor mat....does it ever end?

And then the seat will look bad against the new floor mat! LOL No matter how much we accomplish there is always something else to modify or fix.

Bret

[Low Elco]

Sorry about your motor, but it oughta be supergood now! Hope it all goes well.

[Sharps40]

Damn...expectin...sounds painful....like givin birth to a giant bill! or our fearless leader crapin out executive orders

[Sharps40]

Yep, three year unlimited mileage warranty. So if it only lasts 4 years thats less than $375 per year to keep dropin in new long blocks. Way less than a single new car payment. Ah well. I'll get ta drink bourbon, shoot deer and stop by the shop occasionally to check progress....and pay the bill! Happy 50th Bday and merry Christmas!!!!

[TJ's Chevy]

Well, hope your crate motor works for ya...I'm sure it will.....At least you won't have to worry about rebuilding.....or shouldn't need too...for a looooooong time!
All you need now is a turbo and you'll be all set!!! Have another crate motor handy if your gonna turbo it stock over 10 pounds of boost!!!

[Sharps40]

10 pound Turdblow? That's wha Uranius does, not my John Lee (he just blows valve an rods and stuff!) An speakin of that, whats the job of the Enterprise? Should be obvious.....hang around yer anus and knock off cling-ons.

But, the engine is ordered and paid for, shipping Monday and should be in the shop by Wed eve/Thurs morning while I'm in the Low Country hunting. And got compped with the first oil, filters, sufficient GM Blue engine paint to make it spiffy and a hellaofa good discount and my Orellie Coupons should be rollin in to the tune of another 50 bucks or so.....

Monday appointment to discuss the trans install, clutch and ebrake xmember and I gotta remember to prime the pump with Mr. Langdon and make sure the shop has his contact number to discuss the T5 set up and any questions they may have on timeing the new engine with HEI and any tweaks to the Weber DGEV.

With luck, highway gears well befor Turkey day....guess we'll haveta settle up for a ride description and some after install pics though. But I'll get a read from the Shop on how the T5 install went and we should be able to write up something decent.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Sharps40

. . . . . Monday appointment to discuss the trans install, clutch and ebrake xmember and I gotta remember to prime the pump with Mr. Langdon and make sure the shop has his contact number to discuss the T5 set up and any questions they may have on timeing the new engine with HEI and any tweaks to the Weber DGEV. . . . .

Yes, Old Bleu was telling me about his T5 from Mr Langdon. Somehow Mr Langdon has figured out a way to cut a small amount off the end of the input shaft and wallow out some part of the friction disc to make it all work WITHOUT A SPACER PLATE. If that's what you do to yours, I'd sure love to see pictures of the tranny input shaft and the friction disc mods prior to install if you can swing taking pictures.

[Sharps40]

As I understand it...and the installs are somewhat more involved than my simplifications below but...(and we'll see on the Astro Van T5 in a week or so-I'll write it up.)

S10 T5 to 64-66 C10 Bell Housing/Motor:

1. Shorten the very tip of the input shaft to clear the crankshaft pilot hole (so it doesn't bottom out). Then May/May not need to shorten the collar the throw out bearing rides on to the same length as the peanut. Last step (May/May not be needed depending on test fit) is to either extend the splines on the input shaft back about 3/8" inch or slightly recess the splines in the rear face of the clutch hub about 1/4" (Either one of these ensures the clutch can move rearward enough to release) Shorten drive shaft. Done.

2. Other option is to make a spacer or purchase one that is no longer available/being made by ????. Shorten Drive shaft. Done.

Camaro T5to 64-66 C10 Bell Housing/Motor

1. Bolt T5 To bell housing, done.

Astro Van T5to 64-66 C10 Bell Housing/Motor

1. Bolt T5 to bell housing, done. (Input shaft/collars similar lengths to Camaro Trans and no chopping needed like on the S10 with the longer parts. Even been advised that install of Jeep 14 spline input shaft and shorten collar will convert the S10 to Camaro/Astro Van like length if yer rebuilding the S10 T5? But other smarter/did it that way folks need to chime in.)

MY UNCONFIRMED RESEARCH - Ford T5 to Chevy 64-66 C10 Bell Housing:

1. Plug upper bell housing bolt holes, redrill for ford pattern.

2. Make U shaped lower adapter of flat steel bars from Lowes, bolt to T5 underneath, bolt to lower portion of bell housing at the ears of the U.

3. Not sure yet about shortening the input shaft/collar.

4. Establish Drive Shaft Length. Done.

[Lugnutz65]

Sharps40,
Your research seems correct. I am able to confirm that a V8 Camaro/Firebird T5 will NOT need any mods to the 26 spline input shaft because it is the correct length. However, a V6 Camaro/Firebird T5 has a 14 spline input shaft (IS) which is longer than the V8. I measured my V6 T5 IS and it is the same length as my S10 IS (about 7.25").

The pic below shows the differences in length (V8 T5 next to an S15 T5). Notice also the different lengths of the input shaft bearing retainer.

I would greatly appreciate some high quality photos with measurements of your Astro T5 so I can include them on my website T5 page. I'd like pics showing the length of the IS, IS bearing retainer, shifter location etc. Once it's installed in your truck it will be too late. I will send you my email address in a PM.

Future generations of T5 owners/builders will be eternally indebted to you and your name will go down in T5 history as one of the greatest owners of all time. I promise.

[Old Bleu]

I wasn't crazy about Tom's cut the input shaft/modify the splines method, so I decided to go with the spacer plate from Vintage Metal. Just got back from picking up the shortened and balanced drive shaft with new u-joints. Resurfaced flywheel ought to be ready Monday with a new 10.5" clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. Also ought to have new bellhousing mounts and clutch fork, pivot,boot from LMC on Tuesday. We think that with some modification, we can reuse the stock e-brake crossmember so I won't have to go the '66 e-brake route. If all goes well, I ought to be shifting a 5 speed next week!

Sorry to hear that you need a new engine Rich, but I imagine that the peace of mind is worth something.

[Sharps40]

Originally Posted by Old Bleu

I wasn't crazy about Tom's cut the input shaft/modify the splines method, so I decided to go with the spacer plate from Vintage Metal. Just got back from picking up the shortened and balanced drive shaft with new u-joints. Resurfaced flywheel ought to be ready Monday with a new 10.5" clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. Also ought to have new bellhousing mounts and clutch fork, pivot,boot from LMC on Tuesday. We think that with some modification, we can reuse the stock e-brake crossmember so I won't have to go the '66 e-brake route. If all goes well, I ought to be shifting a 5 speed next week!

Sorry to hear that you need a new engine Rich, but I imagine that the peace of mind is worth something.

Peace of mind is worth two wives, 74 kids, $3000 and a bottle of good hooch....maybe more.

But, lemmie know the clutch plate #, pressure plate and throwout bearing yer using if its a 14 spline.....I'd like a 10.5 with the stock 65 pressureplate and throwout but if not, we'll see if a complet package for an 11" Astro will bolt up.

[Sharps40]

"Future generations of T5 owners/builders will be eternally indebted to you and your name will go down in T5 history as one of the greatest owners of all time. I promise."


All this cause I post up my shaft length? Dayum!!!!

[Old Bleu]

Do you think Lugnutz has been conspiring with your beerbabe???

The clutch guy said an 11" disc would not work with the pressure plate we needed to use, so he was ordering up a 10 1/2". I'll try to get the details when they come in. I got the bellhousing all cleaned and painted and baking in the sun. That's about as far as I can go until the rest of the parts come in.

[Sharps40]

I think the 11" Astro pressure plate and clutch will bolt direct to my flywheel and use the stock Astro throwout bearing....

If not, I may use the T5 conversion 10.5" disc from summit and run the stock 65 pressure plate and throwout bearing.

Would be nicest, easiest to remember if the Stock Astro package turns out to be a direct bolt up.

[Sharps40]

And now...drum roll

Now, please note, this trans is from 262 cubic inch V6 that came in the mid 80s to early 90s Chevy Astro Van. This is a Non World Class transmission. It was overhauled by Mr. Langdon, Stovebolt Engine Company. The S10 tail shaft was added. The shifter was set up with the short throw parts.

[Sharps40]

Sorry lugnutz...got seven pics for ya......loading on yahoomail and the wheel of death has been spinning for 30 minutes and still they won't load. I'll try again later. If not, I'll just load em up here cause imgur works, yahoo mail don't.

[Sharps40]

Nope, done yahoo ain't gonna happen. Here ya go.

[Lugnutz65]

Sharps40,
Looks like your T5 has an input shaft length that will NOT need an adapter plate. Congratulations!

All you need is the correct friction disc, pressure plate and correct length drive shaft.

[Sharps40]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Sharps40,
Looks like your T5 has an input shaft length that will NOT need an adapter plate. Congratulations!

All you need is the correct friction disc, pressure plate and correct length drive shaft.

Cool beans. Now if an Astro 11" disk fits and Astro 11" pressure plate bolts up and Astro throwout bearing is correct thickness I'm on easy street. Won't know till we get the new 19 year old clutch and pressure plate out.

[Sharps40]

Dropped off the T5 tonight. I took the time to jot down my research and learnings and desires. We had a good consult.

Motor and trans comes outta the truck tomorrow and they will be totally cleaning the underside and frame/suspension, etc.

Engine should arrive Wed/Thur and get built back up (tins mostly), new water pump and stat and rubber hoses where needed.

Delivered the Astro T5 today and went thru the install. Looks like (strong hope) its totally a bolt in using the Astro Van 11" clutch set. We'll know once the old clutch is out, what the flywheel will support. And resurfacing the flywheel or replaceing it all together if it looks marginal.

At this point, I think we are blowing out the ebrake xmember all together in favor of 1966 memberless ebrake front harness.

Got the speedo cable (72 chevy 4x4 83" long) covered.

All heim joint clutch linkage to be retrofitted and all wear parts on the bell to be replaced.

Driveshaft Specialist of TX will supply the new steel shaft with sealed spicers on the yokes.

Last step will be custom fitting the home made shifter.

And, Mr. Langdon at Stovebolt Engine Company standing by to field any questions on the HEI/Carb/Astro Van T5 that may come up.

Next time I sit in John Lee he'll have spanky new run in motor and highway gears!

Hoo Ahhhh!

[TJ's Chevy]

Sweet!

[Sharps40]

I sure am glad its in this shop. If I can't do the swap, John Lee is in the right high bay.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Sharps40

I sure am glad its in this shop. If I can't do the swap, John Lee is in the right high bay.

I was just going over the T5 pics you sent me. I'll use some of them for my T5 page.

Who will cut the hole in your cab floor for the shifter? You, or the shop?

[Sharps40]

Shop will cut the hole. I put it in the punch list. The job is drive in/out. Only thing they won't be doing is floor mat and shifter boot....havn't decided on the boot or which brand/style of floor mat yet. I'll yank the old Tree shifter later too.

[Sharps40]

We'll get some install pics after the Astro is in case ya want em for the page....cool page too. And, I'll go over the details with Mr. Gordon at the shop. Make sure we ID the perzact clutch/plate/bearing used, any suprizes, etc. Good thing is the drive shaft will be easy, 4 days delivered from Driveshaft Specialities, totally new, Spicers and it should spin 100K miles with Zero maintenance.