T56 into a TH350 truck

[texanidiot25]

I've got money and I've got plans again. When the CST10 left DD duty, it was replaced by manual cars over the summer. Now that I have the oppertunity to get an OD trans into it, the options have opened up.

Just need to clarify a few things about the T56 swap:

What do I need to mate it to the oldschool SBC? I believe the LT1 and old SBC have the same bolt pattern, but one of the threads I was reading the guy had to put on an adapter kit.. Clutch, flywheel, will the LT1 T56 stuff bolt onto my block?

Clutch pedal assembly? The trans I found comes with shifter, master and slave cylinder and pedal assembly. Are there provisions in the auto cab for a clutch, or will I have to custom mount it? Or would it be best to use a stock clutch pedal and convert it for the hydrolic system?

Will I get away with using a low-hump floor? Seems one guy did, but he had an LS motor.

I read that I can use the TH350 x-member, yes? Just moved back?

[oldblue1968chevy]

Dude, where have you been hiding? Free bump, im anxious to see how this goes? Ever get the white cab on? Whats your aprox. budget for the swap, keep us updated..

[texanidiot25]

Should I dump the money into the truck, I'll have $2700 to play with. The 200R4 is the main plan, cheaper and faster to swap. Working out the total costs of the T56 at the moment.

Still undecided whether I should get another (easily flippable) DD and hold off until the summer, or do this. Trying to work out a plan...

[texanidiot25]

Bump?

[oldblue1968chevy]

How long can It be down? Whats a t56 cost and whats everything else (plus a lil) gonna cost? Sounds like 700/200r4 would be easiest, ya that set on an auto?

Probably smartest would be buying a beater car to flip...but thats not the funnest!

[texanidiot25]

I started with a $200 CRX, and I'm selling off a $2700 Miata.

200R4 > 700R4 for my plans. T56 may cost a tick over 2 grand, depends on how resourceful I am with parts. I love manuals now, my cheap DDs have been them and it's boring to go back to the TH350. Plus, the better power to the ground, gearing, and that double OD...

[oldblue1968chevy]

Yeah I understand..I love my 3spd..but would like to one day go OD

Ive heard T-5 good swap but they dont stand lots of power abuse

[70BLAZERX2]

This is what i had in my 68 longbed. S10 T5.Pulled the car trailer several times with it..no problem..you just cant expect it to go down the 1/4 mile super fast..or it will bust..And i had to run a 83 Z28 clutch due to 14 spline..

I used a 65 chevy car bellhousing and had to cut 1/4 inch off the input shaft (where pilot bushing rides) to fit the 350. and made a trans mount plate to bolt to stock auto crossmember. And also got 23 mph with the OD

untill i needed the cab and front clip for the 69 K/30

[raycow]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

Clutch pedal assembly? The trans I found comes with shifter, master and slave cylinder and pedal assembly. Are there provisions in the auto cab for a clutch, or will I have to custom mount it? Or would it be best to use a stock clutch pedal and convert it for the hydrolic system?

It is quite easy to install a clutch pedal if you don't have one now. The stock brake pedal shaft is hollow and the clutch pedal shaft just slides through it and is secured with a clamp on the right hand end of the shaft.

There are several ways to go on the clutch linkage. If your T56 comes with a bellhousing and internal slave you can install an aftermarket MC as shown in this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300087.

If your T56 doesn't have a bellhousing, use a stock truck bellhousing and an aftermarket adaptor plate as shown here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=t56

With the truck bellhousing you now have the option of running either stock mechanical linkage or an external slave with a kit like the one from Novak or your own homemade bracket.

Another possibility would be to use a 60-62 truck bellhousing. This came from the factory set up for an external slave on the passenger side so you won't have to cobble any mounting brackets. I have one of these on my truck and it works extremely well.

Ray

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by raycow

It is quite easy to install a clutch pedal if you don't have one now. The stock brake pedal shaft is hollow and the clutch pedal shaft just slides through it and is secured with a clamp on the right hand end of the shaft.

There are several ways to go on the clutch linkage. If your T56 comes with a bellhousing and internal slave you can install an aftermarket MC as shown in this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300087.

If your T56 doesn't have a bellhousing, use a stock truck bellhousing and an aftermarket adaptor plate as shown here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=t56

With the truck bellhousing you now have the option of running either stock mechanical linkage or an external slave with a kit like the one from Novak or your own homemade bracket.

Another possibility would be to use a 60-62 truck bellhousing. This came from the factory set up for an external slave on the passenger side so you won't have to cobble any mounting brackets. I have one of these on my truck and it works extremely well.

Ray

My (posssible) donor has the trans, clutch, mc and slave, stock Camaro clutch pedal, and bell housing for $1500. I'd need a flywheel, mid shift kid, and a shifter arm. I may go with picking up an original truck clutch pedal for $40 from a local place, and adapting an aftermarket MC (Like TR56). I prefer hydrolic over mechanical any day.

So that's straightened, out.. I'm still curious about the floor pan.

[69 longhorn]

Well, you can break any stick shift on the market! 2nd dont work on my Richmond no more! I turned the old dog up hard ,pulled the lever.....The 383 was too tight, & the fingers On the Center Force had the weights "all up"(ouch)! Too much fun, took the syncro, & the collar off 2nd gear & ripped this old mans shoulder up a bit . I just shift from 1st to 3rd ....still rollin. Its a bit of a stretch , from 1st to 3rd.......but @ 6500 on the shift , that old longhorn will still smokem on that skip shift. All the way to the F'ing wall,Thats all we got...let them ****in ponies run! crazyAL

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by 70BLAZERX2

This is what i had in my 68 longbed. S10 T5.Pulled the car trailer several times with it..no problem..you just cant expect it to go down the 1/4 mile super fast..or it will bust..And i had to run a 83 Z28 clutch due to 14 spline..

I used a 65 chevy car bellhousing and had to cut 1/4 inch off the input shaft (where pilot bushing rides) to fit the 350. and made a trans mount plate to bolt to stock auto crossmember. And also got 23 mph with the OD

untill i needed the cab and front clip for the 69 K/30

Attachment 644028

A T5 would not survive. If I'm going to a manual, I'm doing so for the fun factor.