Hi all,

I'm in the middle of an automatic to T5 swap in my 1980 Corvette. I'm
using one from a 94-95 Mustang. I have some questions.

1. The Ford T5 throwout bearing I bought at NAPA by SKF #N1714
today does not fit the GM fork. The outer diameter is to small for the
fork to capture it. The width of the bearing where it rests in the fork is
to wide (front to back play of approx 1/8"). Would someone
provide me a part # and vendor to get the correct part?

2. With the fork in place and using the above throwout bearing and
stock pivot ball the fork is just touching the floor before the clutch
pedal is depressed. The fork looks to be parallel to the flange
for the hydraulic slave cylinder when clutch is engaged. What needs to
be done to solve this problem?

3. Using alignment tool to install clutch and pressure plate I can not
get the T5 to slide into the pilot bushing. The bearing retainer was
trimmed .700" to clear the clutch. Pilot bushing is the correct size.
Any tips on this?

Thanks in advance,
71270hp
Mark

 

First thing I would have to say is I think you are making a big pile of work for yourself using a ford tranny. I just put a WC T-5 out of a 93 Camaro into my 1980 Vette (original 4 speed)... it wasn't a perfect fit but it wasn't bad.

Here are some links for your perusal...first and second talk specifically about your problem...

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/dde...stallation.pdf
http://forums.turbobricks.com/archiv...hp/t-3620.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-Wa...5_transmission
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/T-5.asp
http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Bo...T5-ID-Tags.htm
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...questions.html

Hope that helps you make some progress. I will check back in with you soon. If you go with a Camaro tranny, watch that tilted case/shifter!

 

A couple other links for you:

This is from the first thread and Bernie discuss the throwout bearing and pivot stud.:

" You will need to buy an adjustable clutch fork pivot stud to make sure you get the clutch travel you need. Secondly, you will probably have to cut off some of the throwout bearing retainer on the Tranny. Mine was too long and would not let the throwout bearing release the clutch disc. The bearing retainer was too long and pushed the clutch fingers in until there was no room to release the clutch. You must measure the length of the retainer and the distance to the clutch fingers from the bellhousing and cut the retainer with a cutoff wheel so that it has approx 1/4 inch of distance from the clutch fingers when installed. Just enough to allow the throwout bearing to engage the fingers without coming off the end of the bearing retainer. Also make sure the throwout bearing can swivel on the clutch fork without any binding. I had to grind just a little off the clutch fork ears to let the bearing swivel freely on the fork. Hope this doesn't sound too complicated because it isn't and is a really fun project to do.
Bernie"

After re reading your bearing is to small. I could not find the invoice for my bearing, but I ordered it from Summit as I recall. I used the Lakewood fork that came with my car, I did not go the hyd route.


As I recall I had to grind my bearing as Bernie mentions.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nsmission.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...onversion.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ll-update.html

 

Thanks Robrace10.
I sent an email to Retro78. He used the same T5 from 94-95 Mustang as I'm using.
He used a Centerforce thrust bearing for Ford T5. I asked him if he could supply me with the part #.

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

71270hp
Mark

 

TTT