Next week I'll be starting to mate my t5 to my 303. I've allready picked up a bell housing from tony and with that he also sent a pilot bushing. I'm going to run a 11 Astro van disk with a Howe hyd throw out bearing. I'm also using a 3 finger pressure plate. I'm looking for someone that's done this conversion that can give me some possible issues that need to be addressed. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
You may be the first, i put a 2004r behind my 303, I believe the only issue is the trans mount to the chassis?
I'll be doing this with my 324 Olds also but I'm using an ancient Speed Gems adapter/bellhousing and a conventional clutch fork. The flywheel is at the machine shop getting drilled for the Borg&Beck pattern so I can run either style pressure plate. You're on the right track, Tony is the man to walk you through this Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I hate to bother tony. He's always been helpful but I know he's a busy man. My 303 originally had a side shift lasalle on it. I'm making a bench stand so I can do setup before I install it in the truck. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I might also add that the Ross racing bell housing is a work of art. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I've gotten into this setup a little and have some info. First I'm using a non world class t5 from a s10. 1" 14 spline imput shaft, Ross bell adaptor and pilot bushing. I also picked up a 11" clutch disk. I'm in the process of just getting the spacing. The first thing I fo Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Sorry hit the wrong button. But I found that with the trans bolted the the splines needed to be lengthened by 3/8". But by doing this because of the shaft design you loose half of the spline engagement. So I will now make a new imput bushing and spacer for between the trans and bell. I'll lengthen them by 3/8". Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I had a bad experience with the Howe HTOB. The application was for a GM 4 Spd which I used on a non world class T5 and standard GM clutch much like your about to do. Shortly after getting the car on the road the clutch wouldn’t disengage. The next day it would, then it wouldn’t. I used a WillWood master cylinder that was sized for it also. I had to pull the body off (34’ sedan) to get access to change it out. I installed a new RAM HTOB from Speedway and never had a problem after that. From my recollection the Howe unit didn’t extend quite as far as the RAM unit. My theory is that the Howe unit would over extend and flip the seals internally then over night it’d relieve pressure and be alright for the next day? I don’t work for RAM or Speedway just want to avoid a problem before it may occur. I’m just hoping that it was an isolated incident but ya never know.
Another update after removing my imput shaft I found some of the gear teeth damaged. I replaced it with one from a jeep which was about .040 longer. Along with the increased length the input spud was shorter and the splines were longer. All I needed to do was cut down the shoulder of the imput bushing. I no longer need to space the trans out and I have 1/4 of free play for the disk to move. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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