After installing a chevy 350 coupled with a borg-warner T5 in my 84 Camaro, it is very difficult to move the shifter forward/back, and it will not move left/right at all. It does not appear to be pressed up against anything. I did accidentally pull the bolt on the drivers side (13/16 size) out about 3/4 of an inch thinking it was the filler plug, and then I put it back in... but I wouldn't think that would make the shifter stick... The shifter worked just fine while it was out of the car. I am lost on this one. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

The "bolt" you pulled out is not a "bolt" at all. It's actually the pivot pin for the 5th/reverse shift lever. Removing it knocks a clip off the end of it, and then the linkage in there all falls out and doesn't work.

Keep messing with the shifter, and eventually it'll all fall completely apart in there; once that finishes happening, you'll have 1st through 4th, but no 5th or reverse.

Sounds like the trans needs to come out, be taken apart, and the clip put back on.

 

Is that the only way to get it back together? Is it possible to do it without pulling the tranny back out? I kinda figured that was what the problem was, but I was hoping it wasn't. If I drop the pan can I reach it through there? Thanks

 

Nope, the trans has to come out. There is no "pan". The trans has to be taken apart to fix this problem

 

Okay, got the transmission out and I am about to take it apart and fix my mistake. One last question, I have read mixed things. The post on this forum said to use ATF for all T-5 transmissions, but the non-wc T-5 calls for gear oil. It had gear oil in it when originally pulled and that is what is in it now. Is that acceptable? Or should I drain it and fill it with ATF before mounting it back up?

 

Either is fine.

GM waffled back and forth between the 2 in these cars over its short lifetime, and in other vehicles as well, WITHOUT ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER IN THE PARTS. Looked to me at the time like the gas mileage dept won one year (and got ATF), then the next year the warranty dept won (and got gear lube). Bottom line, either works fine. Even motor oil is OK in that trans, as some other vehicles WITH THE EXACT SAME PARTS got that. As far as I can tell B-W themselves didn't care, they left it up to the vehicle mfr to make that call. Basically, if it's a petroleum product, you can use it.

I like half & half ATF and STP.

But, wait until it's all the way back in the car; you won't like what happens if you try to put it in with it full. Unless of course you just enjoy taking a bath in that stuff.

 

Well, I have bathed in it a couple times so far.. not sure of a good way to fill it with it installed. After pulling it apart, it is easy to see what I did. The parts al look brand new on the inside, so that was a nice bonus I suppose. Just need to put it all back together without incident and I should be good to go.

 

2 easy steps.

Before you put the shifter in:

1. Open can.

2. Pour.

Takes between 2½ and 3 quarts.

 

And this is why I came to this forum... cause people here know stuff :-P

 

I may have to move this to a different thread here pretty soon. I am looking at some other problems now, and I am really starting to get discouraged on this whole thing. I cranked the starter after putting the transmission back in, and all I get is a loud clunk. Maybe it is because of the way I put the transmission in? I put the bellhousing up first, and then I put the transmission up seperately. It seemed to go in okay, but the clutch is extremely stiff and does not feel at all like it did before. I have a strange suspicion I am going to have to drop the tranny again, but I am hoping for better news.

Another thing that has me a little stumped, I am switching over to an electric fuel pump, but it doesn't seem like any fuel is pumping through it. My fuel gauge works, and shows almost a full tank... I can hear the pump turn on (noisy little bugger), but I don't see any fuel. Any suggestions?