[FirebirdHank]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I am at a complete loss for words.

.

X2!

[goa484]

Originally Posted by pugslyx234

Ok so I,m at a loss for reasoning here! Why in the sam hill go thru all this when a m20 is such a great tranny and you could change rear gear ratios if need be . Just sounding out .Dont mean to a Di(k.

Yeah, thats what Im thinking. Throw some 3.23s in and enjoy how good the old muncies shift (once rebuilt properly). But, Im also not a big fan of alot of the 5 speeds fwiw.

[rtanner]

Originally Posted by harley3296

This is what happens when you try to make a Pontiac 400 with a different type of transmission that was never intended for the setup, you have to improvise to make this work, that's all I'm trying to do and it's going to be difficult but I can make it work. If I have to grind it ,that's what I will do, there is no other solution, the t5 transmission was never meant to be with a Pontiac. It will be now one way or the other

Good job kid, you stay at it, in 1977 when I was 17, hardly any thing aftermarket and cool was made for a Pontiac, I had to grind and fit stuff, so did my buddies with other kinds a cars, hell we did stuff and it work, our old asses still talk about a lot of it, now to your prob, you a need mustang t-5 line up shaft they normally come with a new clutch, but you can get just the shaft at auto zone, google how to use a clutch alignment tool and you will be golden, good luck kid, and shift it easy so it will last a little while

[JD311]

My Dad installed a ford toploader in his 75 Formula, the blowproof bellhousing already had the ford pattern. Some factory bells had them as well since Pontiac installed the dearborn (ford) 3 speed into GTO's and such. There is also a pilot bearing listed for a ford trans on a chevy engine. It fits most all GM's because it fits in the converter pilot hole in the back of the crankshaft. Its purpose is the let the short input shaft ford trans fit a GM engine. We used a Ford disc and GM pressure plate, he used a throw out bearing for a 5.0 mustang. A t5 would be the same (my brother had some 5.0's and we compared). But we didnt want to install a "bomb" with all that work.

[harley3296]

thanks for that information, I did see on some of these bellhousings a unusual pattern besides the Saginaw / Muncie bolt pattern, it look like a Ford but I couldn't tell on the eBay pictures but what else could it be. since I've self machine the bell housing I might as well buy that other bellhousing with that unusual pattern perhaps do some more research but I think the Dearborn 3 speed transmission was intended for a Ford. thanks so much

[harley3296]

[GOAT WHORE]

Originally Posted by harley3296

thanks for that information, I did see on some of these bellhousings a unusual pattern besides the Saginaw / Muncie bolt pattern, it look like a Ford but I couldn't tell on the eBay pictures but what else could it be. since I've self machine the bell housing I might as well buy that other bellhousing with that unusual pattern perhaps do some more research but I think the Dearborn 3 speed transmission was intended for a Ford. thanks so much

While I admire your hot rod attitude I can't help but watch this thread like a bad car wreck. Dearborn 3spds were installed in Pontiacs by GM. However you seem to think they weren't intended to be installed in a Pontiac. By that logic why are you trying to install a T5 in yours?
Also got to point out that what you did to your bell housing would not be considered "machine work" by most

[GOAT WHORE]

Originally Posted by harley3296

Im starting this to help other people to do a auto to manual swap

Ps
You should have started this thread of by stating, "I am starting this to let people know what to not do, when doing an auto to manual swap"

[harley3296]

This forum is used to see other peoples mistakes since there is no previous experience by anybody on this thread I haven't heard or seen any literature on how to install a t5 transmission to a Pontiac so I am flying blind here. I would just rather you say thank you. I am changing the bell housing as well as the bearing retainer, I'm not leaving that work as is, this will work and I'm going to prove it

[harley3296]

Is the Dearborn bolt pattern exactly the same as the Ford t5 transmission pattern if there's anyone out there that can help me out with the correct response would be great any pictures to prove it would be appreciated

[Scarebird]

I would join the HAMB board - they are always doing weird swaps like this.

[JD311]

I can check one of the t-5s in the shop for you against a bell housing.

[harley3296]

Thankyou so much, this would be a great help. I've got one on ebay and it's going to end in about 10 hours hopefully I can get it, thanks again

[JD311]

The two bottom bolt holes on the t5 are the same as a toploader/dearborn, but the top two are different.

[harley3296]

Ok Thankyou, I'm going to need an adapter plate thanks for the info couldn't have done without you.

[rtanner]

Originally Posted by harley3296

Ok Thankyou, I'm going to need an adapter plate thanks for the info couldn't have done without you.

actually you dont, get that bellhousing with the ford pattern, bolt the t-5 up using the 2 lower bolt holes, then center punch the 2 uppers and drill them and tap them in the new t-5 location, also instead of grinding out the center hole of your next bell-housing, try a front bearing retainer of a muncie on that t-5, if it doesnt work, take both to a machinist and have turn the t-5 down to muncie size, Keep going dont stop!!!

[harley3296]

Finally ,someone with imagination and risk,willing to do what it takes to make things happen. Not just write a check to a shop and just say fix it and I'll be back to pick it up. A lot of us don't have a lot of money to "just fix it" we have to improvise and have that " can do " spirit

[HWYSTR455]

You can add air conditioning too.

.

[george kujanski]

Funny, HWYSTR455.

Harley, good luck to you for keeping the hot rod spirit. Back in the day I did "creative" things to get the job done and save $ in the process, $ I didn't have.

Opening the hole in the bell housing with a Dremel was not a good idea tho. Be careful not to short change sound decisions in favor of saving $. Spend the $ in critical areas.

George

[pugslyx234]

Here imagine this put a ford 428 in and you can use your T5. I,m all for back yard rigging's but to a point. Brain storming is what makes this forum Great , but by the time your done this thing will vibrate you to death then you'll be askin why does it do this .