Hot Rods The "Whatever" project

Me too! Just got back from NAPA, and it was sort of successful... I have a seal and output shaft tailhousing bushing kit on order for pickup tomorrow. I think it's the correct parts. Now don't laugh too much, I pulled a Tim Allen, and took the S10 tailhousing with me. You all know the routine. Ask for parts for a 1993 S10 T5 transmission from a 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive truck. Huh! This particular counter guy is a retired veteran, and a really nice guy. Unfortunately he's not a long time parts guy. And they don't have the old parts books to leaf thru.

So we looked up the S10 parts. Gimpy has said GM made some strange combinations regarding the T5 transmissions. This is definitely one. So instead we looked up the parts for the 88 V-8 T5. Tada, after 20 minutes those parts are still available and I'll have them tomorrow. Hopefully they'll be the correct ones.

So now I'm going to go to the garage and pop both seals out, and make sure they are the same. Oh well what can I say. Using 30 year old parts has its drawbacks...

 

You know when it's time to change the rear seal on a transmission? And you have a proper tool for the job, but it doesn't matter, because someone already changed the seal years ago? And they wanted to be sure that it didn't leak? And they put something on the seal like Loctite of some sort? Yeah, I had one of those today!

So I got medieval on it! And I didn't damage the tailhousing either! So tomorrow I'll get the one out of the S10 tailhousing probably the same way. And the bushing. That will press out. And I'll press the new parts back in ... Hopefully!

 

And then you find that last guy used stuff on it because he also hacked the old one out, damaging the seating area!

 

I'm hoping that the S10 tailhousing is not boogered up. Haven't pulled that one yet. I did spend more time looking for my old slide hammer kit than pulling the seal out of the V-8 tailhousing. Got every finger and toe crossed possible. Found a 4 leaf clover out in the lawn. Tossed salt over my left shoulder at supper tonight. Knocked on every piece of wood in the garage. Found a cricket and brought it in the garage and then back out. Well, you get the idea...

 

Got a black cat inside and another outside, so I'm trying to pull the bad juju away!

 

Thanks, I appreciate that!

 

Dave, you might need one of these to finish off that rebuild
S10 T5 SHORT THROW SHIFTER | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)
I luv spending someone else's money

 

Nah! There's a thread on the hamb from down under where they show how to modify a standard shifter. And remember, I'm half Scots i.e. thrifty (mom's side of the family was from Bennington... and Scottish heritage), so that is why...

Okay, I'm cheap!

 

My Mom was 1/5th Scotch!

 

That reminds me I'm outa Bourban!

 

There's a wee touch of the Irish in me. I go for Jaimison's

 

Makers Mark for me!
My wifes' sister lives in Kentucky, I've been there, does that count?

 

Yes it does!

 

Well, the mongrel T5 is on its way to a new home. Then I made a new rocker for the tool post for the lathe. And made a first practice turning! This lathe is so tight. No chatter and a nice smooth cut.

So tomorrow I'll make a tool to remove and replace the output shaft bushing in the S10 tailhousing. Then replace the seL, goop it up and get it back together.

Shifter, output yoke, and driveshaft. I think I'm making progress again...

 

Nothing like using well-made tools to further a project!

 

You are getting there pal. I am eating bondo dust. Filler on. Filler off. Two of the 5 pieces in primer. 3 to go.

 

As hinted at above, I made a tool to remove and replace the output shaft bushing in the S10 T5 tailhousing. Having a good working lathe is the cats pajamas!

Had this piece of tubing, left over from the neighbor's stock of unique bits and bobs. It was a leg connection as I remember from a trampoline frame that he hauled away from someone who was throwing it out. It had a nice heavy swaged section that was a bit over 1 5/8 od, enough that once turned to 0.005 under the output shaft bushing size, 1 5/8, it was perfect for the job.

Old one out, and time for a cleaning. I sprayed it with Dawn dish spray and let it sit for a few minutes. Meanwhile I got out the pressure washer. And I got soaked! Beautiful day for an outside shower. Got the grease off, but the grime that is ground into the casting needs something stronger.


So here's the after. What does the collective wisdom and experience have to say about what's next? I'm due for a trip to the hardware store and NAPA.

 

Ratrodder and I have that ahead of us sometime in the future...

 

Well if I graduate my apprentice program with my mentor I can bestow my new found wisdom on you and rat rodder.

 

There have been a few threads on cleaning aluminum.
Like everything, start with mild and work up.
I don't remember anyone coming up with a magic solution to this, besides elbow grease.
Dry ice blasting is expensive, chemicals tend to discolor or worse as much as clean, and any media blasting leaves the media behind, so you gotta scrub anyway.

 

Yeah, and the Scots side of me, i.e. thrifty, says elbow grease is in the cards! I'll probably wait until the whatever comes apart for final welding to do a thorough job on it. Then take it all apart for some serious grime removal. Probably for the best. I'll be able to evaluate all of the bearings and stuff inside at that time.

Maybe I'll go with the T10. It's apart, the cases (I ended up with 2...) are only oily or painted. Baking soda blast and sneak them through the dishwasher... don't tell SWMBO! And good to go. The only problem with that is the external linkage. And my short, wide feet. They need to clear each other. Gas pedal on top maybe???

 

A Scot would have already saved old toothbrushes, but you can also hit up the local thrift stores for plastic bristle brushes.

 

There's really only two people that can help you then, an appliance salesman or a divorce lawyer!

 

You know, I haven't heard of even one guy using the magic wand with a brush attached to get into those tight corners. Guess they aren't with us any more.

 

Will the molasses bath trick work on that case?

 

Did a little more searching and found the below from a 2006 thread. Added the bold bits to get your attention.

 

Well, I just happen to have a few slightly used toothbrushes, saved for just such emergencies!

Of course I'll have to use toothpaste for the cleaning. Anything else would taste bad after...

 

I don't think I'll try that! The case is aluminum! Might end up with only gears!

 

Dave, on my top loader tail stock which looked like your piece I replaced the rear seal with a wooden plug that I made. The same for the speedo hole and then bolted the face to a 3/4 piece of flat wood completely sealing the piece. Bead blasted it and it turned out fine. No dust or particles reached the inside. Blew it off and painted it with the plugs attached. Looks great. FWIW

 

Good idea Walt! I think we might have a winner! I can do the tailhousing now, and the rest once I have bolted it all back together. That way I can get it back in for setup and shifter choice. And I can get it cleaner when it all comes apart for final welding.