Hi , i am in the process of changing over from a 700r4 to a T5 ...my car is a camaro 85 with 350...the flywheel for the auto 700r4 is 14' across and the one i got with the T5 is only 13' across,,therefore the starter won't even catch the teeth,,,i thought they would be the same for a 305 and a 350 ,,is this a common issue?....please help!!!....thanks.

 

anyone?...is the starter that needs to be changed?

 

700R4/autos will have a flexplate. The T-5/manual will have a flywheel.

JamesC

 

hi , yes it is a flexplate...but the flexplate or flywheel on my 700r4 is 14' and my flywheel from the T5 is 13'...how will the starter crank the engine if it doesn't reach the teeth ?..i found out that there are starters that have 2 slots for installation which brings the starter closer to the flywheel..is this the case?..this would fix my issue ...for now !..thankyou.

 

Your 85 wouldn't have been originally equipped with a 350. What year is the motor from?

My 350 conversion manual lists a 14" flywheel with 168 starter ring gear teeth (for a one-piece crank seal). GM part #10105832

GM lists two 12 3/4" with 153 teeth (for a one-piece crank seal): Lightweight GM 14088646 and standard GM 14088650

JamesC

 

yes , it is a 350 from a 78-79 chevy ,,it is a 2 piece crank seal i assume since they made 2 piece seals up until late 80's on V8....i can't install a 168 tooth flywheel in my T5 bellhousing..is the starter the issue?

 

I'd think you could replace the flexplate (and starter) with the following or something like it from an auto parts store:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NA...ET&prefilter=1

JamesC

 

Looks like you're going to need a new starter. According to Autozone's website, the 700R4 originally in your car could have come with either a 14" flexplate or a 12.85" flexplate. The T5's however only work with a 12.85" flywheel. There are also 2 different starters listed. One says its for automatic transmissions and one for manual transmissions. The different starters would be used to accommodate the difference in diameter from flexplate to flywheel.

 

ok thanks...that's what i needed to know...i have a 13' flywheel that will work only in the T5...the 700r4 has a 14'flexplate flywheel and a huge starter on the block ,,so with a new smaller or adjusting starter ...it will work?

 

When I swapped my V6 for a 350 I just went to Autozone and picked up a starter for an 85 Camaro with a 305 and a manual transmission. I had no problems with it bolting up

 

With the correct flywheel and starter (check with a parts store as 92 suggests), you should be good to go--oh, remember the pilot bearing.

JamesC

 

hi , thanks,,,but i called a starter rebuilder today and he said that a starter for an auto to stick isn't the same...i will go pick it up thursday...i will see if this manual starter bolts closer to the smaller T5 flywheel...i will let you know...thanks for all the help so far...

 

That's exactly what we've been trying to tell you. Good luck with the conversion.

JamesC

 

thanks, but i think the starter isn't the only issue,,not only is the flexplate or flywheel from the 700r4 is 14' ...and the flywheel from the T5 is 13'...i will fix that with the starter for a t5....but also the center hole on the flexplate 700r4 is bigger than the T5....!!! i have had it...what do i do now?...i need another flywheel for sure ,,but which one?...i need a 13' 153 tooth flywheel for a t5 and with a center that's lkie the 700r4 flexplate...help!!!

 

hi , i can't put on a manual starter on my 350 from a 78 chevy,,,it has the 2 bolts offset and not in line like the newer models....so i can't put a 14' flywheel on my T5 because it accepts only a 13' flywheel...if i install a 13' flywheel then my starter won't catch the gears to crank the engine...anyone out there know what i can do?...are there larger bellhousings and then i can install a 14' flywheel and leave the starter as is?...any help out there?..thankyou.

 

What starter did you get? There aren't any other bellhousings that will fit a larger flywheel because there are none that have the tilted bolt pattern that the T5 requires.

 

Wow... Forget all that crap about the diameter of the flexplate/flywheel. All that matters is the tooth count. Then you need a flywheel that actually fits your engine. The center hole is a different diameter because its for a 1pc rear main seal and you've got a 2pc rear main seal block.

You need a 153 tooth flywheel for a 2pc rear main seal block.
Then you need a stock starter for a Camaro with a 5spd.
Bolt it together and you're done. It's simple, but you're making it hard by not understanding what you're working with.

 

For example the one I link to above.

JamesC

 

but the issue is the starter and flywheel...a T5 only can accept a 153 tooth 13' flywheel unless you change the bellhousing....if i install a 153 tooth 13' flywheel on my 350 crank..the starter is 1 inch away and will not crank the engine since the flexplate for the 700r4 is 14' 168 tooth .....my starter on my 350 1978 is the older style offset bolts,,it cannot be moved across because the bolt holes on the block are not paralel but offset ..one bolt in front and the 2nd 1 inch behind...so this is why i am looking into changing the bellhousing that accepts a 14' flywheel so the starter will catch the flywheel when cranking...this 14' 168 tooth flywheel and bellhousing will be ok to use with the 10,4 stock clutches...then it will all work....

 

True, but a Autozone/Advance Auto $70-100 cheapy would work... Ask for a flywheel and a starter for a 84 Z28 with a 305/5spd and you'll get parts that will work.

 

Double check your block... Most of them are dual drilled for 153 and 168 tooth flywheels. If it's not, you're SOL unless you want to pull the block and have it machined, or you want to buy an expensive lakewood bell housing. This is exactly why it pays to research before you start swapping parts.

 

hi ,my block only has the 2 holes for the starter ,,i double checked this.... i guess your right about research ,, but i did do a lot of investigating ,,and i knew i had a 350 because i checked the serial numbers...i just didn't know that my older 350 with the starter and crank would cause issues..but with the lakewood bellhousing and the flywheel i just got, it's not so bad,,,at least i will be able to move forward and install the transmission and then tackle the pedals and all the rest of the swap, i'm sure i will be begging for more help in other areas!!...i got the T5 and pedals with slave assembly and complete transmission set up for $400..i think even with the extra little expenses ,, i will come out ahead...i will sell my 700r4 and make back some bucks..

 

The Lakewood bellhousing will cost you more then you spent on the transmission.
$425 from Summit. LAK-15015 for mechanical linkage, LAK-15020 for hydraulic.

If it were me, I'd probably drill and tap the block for the 153 tooth starter. That would allow you to run stock replacement parts.

 

true, but i don't feel comfortable drilling the block...i don't want to make things worse, besides i can use stock clutch and pressure plate because the flywheel i got has 10'4 and 11' bolt holes ...i will sell some stuff i have lying around and cut my losses...

 

Machine shops charge about $40 to drill and tap starter bolts. You've just gotta pull the engine and haul it to a shop. Either way...

 

yes , but removing the engine and bringing it to a machine shop is more than i can handle in my already tiny garage...i think this way is the best way for now...we live and learn!

 

Well, humm, that's what I was thinking as well. As you said, Mooch, live and learn.

JamesC

 

hi , what do i do with the cable that is attached to the auto shifter to the steering clolumm , the one you need to press the brakes to mone the shifter out of park...do i need this for a T5 setup?...i know i need to use the wires that were on the neutral swith for the back up lights..besides that , anything else?..thankyou.

 

anyone?

 

That cable is to prevent removal of key while in any gear but park. You can leave that unhooked except if you are in gear, you will be able to shut off engine and remove key. However the steering wheel will lock and you'll be rolling down the street and unable to turn. As long as you can not do that you'll be fine.

As far as the flexplate issue... if I lookup a flexplate for a 1985 305 since that is the only engine that comes up in an '85 F-body they show them all as being 153 tooth 12.85" O.D.
I'm going to assume the previous owner swaped in a 350. You say it is a 2-piece rear main. The only thing that changes with a 2-piece rear main is the bolt pattern in the center because the crank has the little fingers on the end whereas the 1-piece is round. So they went out and got a 153 tooth flexplate for a pre-86. If that turned out to be to small, they had to step it up to a 168 tooth flywheel.

Unless you're ready to throw down around $300 for an aftermarket flywheel that is 168 tooth with a 14.xx O.D., you better plan on drilling holes for the starter. It looks like all stock flywheels are around 11" O.D. But at least with the $300 you get a billet lightweight versioin that they claim is comparable to around 15hp.

 

hi , thankyou for your response,,,the engine in my 85 camaro is a 350 from a 78 chevy...the crank is not round like you said and pre 1985 V8 are 2 piece rear seals...the flywheel i got is a 168 tooth 14'...with the larger center hole to fit my older 350...if it doesn't ..well then i will see about drilling a hole for my starter..i relly don't want to drill...i also got a bigger bell housing to fit on my T5 with my 14' flywheel...thanks.

 

i forgot to ask ,,,can i disconnect that cable from the steering columm?...or just leave it on the side?...thanks again!

 

The cable isn't there so you can't remove the key... It's there to lock the shifter when the car is off so it can't be shifted out of park unless the key is in the ignition and turned to run. It's just a coincidence that the key can't be turned to lock with the shifter in gear.

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to just unbolt the cable. Read a couple threads on 5spd conversions and you'll probably get an answer from someone who's done it. Personally I'd swap in a 5spd column. But then I'm picky about accuracy.

 

hi , how far in must the pilot bushing go for my T5.?..i have it flush with the crank center hole..it looks like it can go in more...do i push it in more?...also anyone have torque specs for flywheel-pressure plate bell housing etc...thankyou.

 

A bit below flush is good.

Here are a couple of specs:

Flywheel to crank: 60 Ft.lbs
Bell Housing to engine: 55 Ft.lbs

JamesC