sly vette

O.K here we go boys...
I started by removing the Dist. cap and raising the car in the air approx. 18-22".
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I then went under the car to mark the crossmember to prep it so I can convert it into a removable type. As I understand it those of you with a auto trans. had this done by G.M.
If you look at the Pic you will see that I marked a line with a framing square 6" inboard of the hole in the bottom of the frame.
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I then supported the eng. and removed my exhaust pipes. Naturally everyones exhaust will be different.
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Then with a Sawzall, and a Lazer blade installed, I proceeded to separate the crossmember from the frame.
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Now this , due to the fact that the blade bound at the last bit of the last cut, should be avoided.
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I know that most of us have had a purple fingernail before but I've never had one like this
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Anyway...The next pic is just to illustrate what I feel a solid 38 year old frame will look like if it is blasted and powdercoated. Some that have doubts about their frame may want to have theirs dipped an sealed.
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Next I proceeded to remove the drive shaft
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With that done, next came the trans.
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By the way don't forget to disconnect things like the speedo cable, lock out cable to the column and the reverse light switch connection.
With the trans out of the way, I removed the clutch linkage(should have done this before I raised the car, but it really doesn't make much difference) and the splash shield.
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Out comes the bellhousing, pressure plate and clutch disk.
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Lastly is a pic of the parts I removed today. Most of these parts will be for sale!!!
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This work was done in less than 4 Hrs. using hand tools. I will try to use hand tools whenever poss to show that I don't think a compressor will be needed for this job.

Now for you guys that may be a little overwhelmed by such a project, let me assure you I am no Master Mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. But I don't mind getting my hands dirty, I have decent tools and I have a 2 car garage. But I also have something else....The desire to have a 5 Speed trans in my 'Vette, without paying an arm and a leg for it. I Know there are kits out there, and very good ones, that will allow you to make this mod to your car pretty much a drop in deal, but I can't afford that. Plus I like the feeling of accomplishment when all is said and done.
Right now I have...
Used T5 trans. and yolk out of a '93 Ford Mustang....$300.00
Bellhousing and fork out of a '85 Chevy 1 Ton Truck $150.00
(The bell is so I can run a Hyd. clutch)
We will add the rest of the parts as needed, however I hope to do this swap for UNDER $1000.00
I have the trans apart right now(I'm following a book that I borrowed from a friend) so I could hot tank the case, and inspect the internals. Every thing in the trans looks very good. When I get the trans and bell from the dip tank I will be sandblasting them with my $20.00 sand blasting gun(and respirator)'cause I just love the look of fresh Aluminum on a trans.
Talk to ya soon...

Durango_Boy

Wow you made short work of all that work, and while the car bit back on your finger...at least she'll be happy when she's got a new 5-speed that you can bang through.

Great work.

I'll be watching intently as a blueprint for when I get to this point.

sly vette

Are you still willing to help me condense this as a paper when it's done?
If so let me know what I need to do, if anything along the way. Keep in mind that I am only at the photo transfer level as far as my computer knowledge goes(Insert IGNORRANT)
I would also like to learn how to illustrate with arrows and such, but it seems when ever any one tries to teach me something about a 'puter it all starts to sound Greek. Oh yeah, that reminds me I have to put some Windex on my finger!!!

Durango_Boy

Just keep a folder on your computer with all the pics you take, and I'll use those and this thread to put it all into an instructional paper. Just explain every step, the tools you used, and where you bought your parts and if you can the part numbers.

You can use the standard MS paint program to add arrow to pictures. Use the line tool with different colors.

Artsvette73

Hey are you going to paint the 5spd red also? Just kidding Great thread

Fastguy

That takes a lotta ***** to cut the crossmember.
How are you going to hook up the speedo?
I see a lot of grease on the TO bearing and even on the flywheel. Did your clutch chatter or slip?

sly vette

No, this was a frame off and the clutch only has a few miles on it.
If I had known I could do this swap for under $1000.00 I certainly would have done it when the body was off.
The speedo hook up will come later,stay tuned!

Durango_Boy

...and a purple finger.

Bangkok Dean

Nice wright up. Please tell me why you wanted to change your bell housing and change to a hydraulic clutch?

Bangkok Dean

Parts lists are good thumbs:

Durango_Boy

I think it's because so many people hear about how much everyone likes the hydraulic clutch compared tot eh mechanical linkage. It's not too hard, it's cheap, and you're leg won't be sore after a long stop and go drive through town.

Bangkok Dean

Sounds good but why change the bell housing

Durango_Boy

Something about the mounting location for the slave cylinder. It's built into the bell housing.

sly vette

Sorry I haven't done much in a while guys but , yes I did fracrure the tip of my finger and it's only 8 degrees outside and I can't get the garage up to temp when it's cold like this. So I leave you with this pic, and I will see you when it warms up abit!!!
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Durango_Boy

Nice. Let us know when things warm up. I'm in the same boat. I can't work out in my garage with it this cold. It's 9 degrees F.

79-L-82

Are you going to make your own adapter for the Ford T5?

That is the only thing that scares me. . .

BerniesVette

The adapter is soooo easy; a caveman could do it!!!! Seriously, it isn't hard to make. You can also make an adapter to mount the slave cylinder and use the old bellhousing too; but the bell with the bracket already part of it is the way to go if you can find one.

The speedo connection is made using an adapter sold by D & D Performance.

Sly,
Everything is looking good! My garage is kept at about 65 degrees so I won't sweat as I work on my car. I hate to get sweat on it!
Bernie

79-L-82

What are you saying? ? ?

Cavemen aren't smart?

BerniesVette

I am a Caveman! And we are sharp as marbles!
Bernie

72LS1Vette

I was going to suggest that you get that finger X-rayed. I broke a finger tip last year and it looked just like that. You'll be able to predict the weather with your finger from now on. It's a big annoyance only having 9 useful fingers but in a few months you should be good as new.



Rick B.