Drivetrain T-5 Temporary Replacement Questions

wiseguyk · Sep 28, 2017

Hey guys, I recently had 2nd gear go out in my 91 LX and have been doing research on replacing the factory T-5. Since I'm swapping the stock engine out in the future, I am planning on getting an Astro A-5 but they won't be able to have any built until Jan/Feb.

I really want to drive the car between now and then (I just finished redoing my interior and first day back on the road 2nd gear took a crap ) so I'm looking at getting a used T-5 from Craigslist to hold me over but would love some advice before I do that.

If I do swap my bad T-5 for a temporary one, what parts if any should I replace at the same time? Knowing that it will only be a temporary fix until I install the A-5 next year, can I just leave the clutch/flywheel/etc alone and simply swap the transmission?

When I finally get the A-5 I'm planning on doing the rear main seal and pilot bearing, new flywheel, clutch (26-spline), and trans mount, but I'm wondering if you guys have any advice on anything I should do at the same time if I can get a temporary T-5 to swap in.

I wish I could just skip to installing the A-5 but I really want to be able to drive my car between now and February so I'm just looking for the "right" way to do this temporary swap until then.

Thanks!

Noobz347 · Sep 28, 2017

wiseguyk said:
If I do swap my bad T-5 for a temporary one, what parts if any should I replace at the same time?

Throw-out bearing, and steel input shaft. Try to reuse all your clutch components (including after-market shifter) but buy new stuff for the Astro.

I mention the shifter specifically because you don't know what kind of weird shift characteristics have been worn into that old stock shifter (1st instead of 3rd at 60+ MPH anyone?).

Mustang5L5 · Sep 28, 2017

Do you possess the skill/confidence to just open up the T-5 and just fix the issues with 2nd gear yourself?

wiseguyk · Sep 28, 2017

Noobz347 said:
Throw-out bearing, and steel input shaft. Try to reuse all your clutch components (including after-market shifter) but buy new stuff for the Astro.

I mention the shifter specifically because you don't know what kind of weird shift characteristics have been worn into that old stock shifter (1st instead of 3rd at 60+ MPH anyone?).

Thanks for the info man. So, the temporary replacement I'm looking at is a recently rebuilt unit and the guy says it's only got about 8k miles on it since rebuilding. Since it's only temporary for a few months I don't think I'll try to modify it with a steel input shaft.

If my current clutch seems to be working correctly do I need to worry about getting a new throw-out bearing? I'm just trying to get my car running again until I can do it right when the Astro comes in.

I didn't even consider shifter wear. I have an MGW shifter that is not even a year old so hopefully I can swap that onto the new one without issues.

Noobz347 · Sep 28, 2017

wiseguyk said:
Thanks for the info man. So, the temporary replacement I'm looking at is a recently rebuilt unit and the guy says it's only got about 8k miles on it since rebuilding. Since it's only temporary for a few months I don't think I'll try to modify it with a steel input shaft.

If my current clutch seems to be working correctly do I need to worry about getting a new throw-out bearing? I'm just trying to get my car running again until I can do it right when the Astro comes in.

I didn't even consider shifter wear. I have an MGW shifter that is not even a year old so hopefully I can swap that onto the new one without issues.

The steel input shaft is easy to do however...

wiseguyk said:
So, the temporary replacement I'm looking at is a recently rebuilt unit

It probably already has one. You should find out.

The input shaft suggestion is not for the sake of the transmission, it's for the sake of everything else.

wiseguyk · Sep 28, 2017

Mustang5L5 said:
Do you possess the skill/confidence to just open up the T-5 and just fix the issues with 2nd gear yourself?

That's a good question. Honestly I haven't read up at all on rebuilding it myself. I've done everything else so far myself (and help from a buddy when needed) so if there's a good resource for step by step rebuilding somewhere I think I could probably handle it.

What are your thoughts and have you tackled it before?

wiseguyk · Sep 28, 2017

Noobz347 said:
The steel input shaft is easy to do however...

It probably already has one. You should find out.

The input shaft suggestion is not for the sake of the transmission, it's for the sake of everything else.

The guy is supposed to be sending me more detailed pictures later today so I'll follow up with him on whether it's steel or not. I've done a lot of other stuff to the car but this is my first delve into transmission stuff so I appreciate the advice

Noobz347 · Sep 28, 2017

wiseguyk said:
The guy is supposed to be sending me more detailed pictures later today so I'll follow up with him on whether it's steel or not. I've done a lot of other stuff to the car but this is my first delve into transmission stuff so I appreciate the advice

You're doing what I would. Toss a box in it as cheap as you can and put money into a good box.

Drivetrain T-5 Temporary Replacement Questions

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