Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train Clutch Problems

I have a 54 chevy 1/2 ton with 55 235, want to install saginaw 4 speed (it's a retro thing). My question is what size clutch, throwout bearing to use? I am also adding disc brakes to front (IFS) with drums on rear. Would like to mount all under floorboard. Any suggestions? Thanks

If it was already a STD shift Yes the saginaw should bolt right up to it. I'm not sure of the disk spline for the 235 But if It matchs the input shaft on the Saginaw Then You should be able to use the same clutch settup. Hope this helps }[oooooo]

Dear 54PU;

Everything was 10 spline back then.

The Saginaw & Muncie used both 10 and 27 splines depending on year/car they were used in.

All you need is a 10 spline (imput shaft)one & your "all set" as the clutch disc/bearing/bell housing will work as-is.

Get a yoke to fit the back when you buy your trans. That & the drive shaft lenght is all you need change.

Good luck, John M......

If this still has the torque tube rearend, you will need to replace that also, or spend big bucks on a tailshaft conversion kit from Patricks.

There are disc brake kits out there from several places. Do you want 5 or 6 lug, considering the rearend may need to change...

The master cylinder will need to change, several ways to do that, either total aftermarket or DIY fabrication.

Master Power Brakes and ECI come to mind for the brake stuff. MPB is expensive, but their catalog is a great resource for info.

Also look at Wilwood Catalog for ideas. You should use a residual pressure valve on the front brake line to keep the pucks from vibrating away from the rotor when using an underfloor MC.

I have a 168 tooth flywhell, what size clutch/throw out bearing should be used, 11", 10.5 or the 9 something. Can these be obtained from NAPA or other auto parts store?
Rear end has been converted to 8" Ford Granada, 2.97, plan to leave drum brakes. Front has IFS from 1976 Mustang.

On the Borg Warner T-5 transmissions-does anyone know the first gear ratios that are represented by which notches on the input shaft?????????

Thanks,

Ed Pruss
Longmont, CO

The size of the pressure plate and clutch disc are to be whatever the flywheel is drilled for currently. The only way to change the size would be to have the flywheel re-drilled for a different diameter pressure plate, or to get an entirely different flywheel. Any size will work fine in a relatively stock application. The throwout bearing should be fine as is. What to use for a disc may take some work depending on the splines used on the tranny, but I would start to look for a disc based on year and application of tranny, not the truck or engine. Yes, any good parts store should have the parts, and should be able to help sort out the disc issue. Otherwise, try the specialty vendors that litter the internet and Hemmings Motor News.
Sounds like you are running 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern then?

T5 doesn't use rings or notches. They do have a code sticker on the top cover plate that can be cross referenced for identification. Or you can just mark the input and output shafts, put it into gear, and turn them to see what the ratio is.

The throwout bearing will be either the short or long. That will be determined by the fingers on the pressure plate that the bearing makes contact with. If the finger are straight, you use the long. If the fingers are curved, you use the short.

Running 5 on 4.5 on front, standard Ford drums on rear.