5 sp. trans

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 40cpe

You had me scratching my head because of your reference to changing to a .86 ratio as an improvement.

The .86 is for performance to keep the rpms up in the best operating range.
Like a close ratio box.

.63 or .68 is for gas mileage.

[Flat Ernie]

The challenge with the T5 is there are so many variations that everyone in this thread is right, and everyone is wrong to some extent. There are very, very few absolutes.

For most early Fords, the S10 has the most favorable shifter position. For '49 up cars, the rare Astrovan is a little more favorable and the Mustang/Camaro tailshifters can be made to work.

There is no "this engine had this ratio" rule that works for all years. You HAVE to decode the tag to determine the ratios - there simply is no other way.

Click on the link in my signature - it takes you to the HAMB articles - read through that.

Personally, the T170 and all the other 3+OD conversions are not my cup of tea simply because you still have all the drawbacks of the 3-spd transmission (wide gear ratios) and very little benefit. But it's courses for horses - some folks like them.

[Bassman/NZ]

Originally Posted by Flat Ernie

The challenge with the T5 is there are so many variations that everyone in this thread is right, and everyone is wrong to some extent. There are very, very few absolutes.

For most early Fords, the S10 has the most favorable shifter position. For '49 up cars, the rare Astrovan is a little more favorable and the Mustang/Camaro tailshifters can be made to work.

There is no "this engine had this ratio" rule that works for all years. You HAVE to decode the tag to determine the ratios - there simply is no other way.

Click on the link in my signature - it takes you to the HAMB articles - read through that.

Personally, the T170 and all the other 3+OD conversions are not my cup of tea simply because you still have all the drawbacks of the 3-spd transmission (wide gear ratios) and very little benefit. But it's courses for horses - some folks like them.

I respect your T5 knowledge immensly, but to say the 3+1 has very little benefit? How about the overdrive, the vastly improved synchros over an early Ford trans, the synchro on first gear, and the fact that a flattie wont break one? Also the shifter position of an F150 trans is bang on for an early Ford.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by Bassman/NZ

...and the fact that a flattie wont break one?

Do you really think the average flathead could break a T5? Good heavens, man! Hairy Mustangs and Camaros had there transmissions in them!

[Pete]

The average SEMI MODIFIED flathead can destroy a T5 in one shift if you know how to do it!
No need to elaborate on that. If you want to drag race, get a Lenco.

Flat Ernie sed,
"Personally, the T170 and all the other 3+OD conversions are not my cup of tea simply because you still have all the drawbacks of the 3-spd transmission (wide gear ratios) and very little benefit. But it's courses for horses - some folks like them."

He is dead nutz on. "SOME FOLKS LIKE THEM".
Anybody into good driving performance, wouldn't give them a second glance.

[Richard in Florida]

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Originally Posted by Pete

The average SEMI MODIFIED flathead can destroy a T5 in one shift if you know how to do it!

I meant, and I thought you meant, destroy a T5 with sheer power and torque, not by abusing or misusing it. Hell, I'll betcha I could destroy a T5 with a motor out of a garden tractor if I'm allowed to purposely try to do it.

[Pete]

"I meant, and I thought you meant, destroy a T5 with sheer power and torque"

Sure you will have to abuse it to break it....Very few mechanical things break if the DUL (design ultimate load) is never exceeded.
Remember the best T5 models are only rated at 310 ft.lb.
No abuse and they will last a long time.
For years they used a model A transmission behind the 270 Offy's at Indy.

[Flat Ernie]

Originally Posted by Bassman/NZ

I respect your T5 knowledge immensly, but to say the 3+1 has very little benefit? How about the overdrive, the vastly improved synchros over an early Ford trans, the synchro on first gear, and the fact that a flattie wont break one? Also the shifter position of an F150 trans is bang on for an early Ford.

If all you want is an OD, then perhaps the 3+OD is for you. A well-built early Ford 3-spd in good condition is a fine transmission - for what it is. I can shift them quickly & smoothly. And I can double-clutch as well. The 3+OD was always a cobbled together piece, but they perform their function well enough. If all I wanted was a 3-spd and an OD, personally, I'd opt for a Mitchell behind a fresh early Ford 3-spd.

Every transmission is a compromise. Go search for some of my older posts where I give details on RPM drop between shifts between a 3-spd and a 5-spd. But this goes to how you drive your flathead.

As for the strength of a T5, you can build them plenty strong. The early S10 T5 is among the weakest of the lot, but will still handle your average flathead with ease. If you want to abuse it, you can break just about anything. But the T5, even the early NWC with a 4.03 gearset (the weakest), is more than adequate for a flathead. There are many things you can do to reinforce some of the inherent design weaknesses of the T5. And the Mustang 5.0 crowd run them behind 10-second cars.

Like I said: Courses for horses. WHY are you changing from your early Ford 3-spd is the real question and will tell you which transmission to choose...

[Bassman/NZ]

The internet is a strange thing. I never meant that a T5 is weak, I was saying that a 3+1 is unbreakable COMPARED TO AN EARLY TRANS.

[don35]

If the throw of the shifter on any s-10 is too long check out the Langdon Stove bolt Chevrolet website ( yeah I know) for a downloadable PDF on how to shorten it. Easy and inexpensive.

[hotrodcbx]

When I built my 34 coupe I paid the price and went for a new T5 WC from Summit for about $1250.00. You can spend that kind of money on having a S10 T5 rebuilt. I installed a tail housing out of a S10 to move the shifter forward. Works great with 411 gears and the blown 296" flat motor..

[Flat Ernie]

Originally Posted by Bassman/NZ

The internet is a strange thing. I never meant that a T5 is weak, I was saying that a 3+1 is unbreakable COMPARED TO AN EARLY TRANS.

Always better over a beer, right? Usually clearer too!

It's all good - if we all liked the same things, it'd be a pretty boring place.

[felix37]

Originally Posted by don35

If the throw of the shifter on any s-10 is too long check out the Langdon Stove bolt Chevrolet website ( yeah I know) for a downloadable PDF on how to shorten it. Easy and inexpensive.

Don, I checked out Langdon's site but could not find the info on the T-5 shifter. where would I find it? thanks!

[Don W/Norfolk]

Try this:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/shifter/index.html

[felix37]

That's a great idea! I'm doing that to my shifter!