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Hello, i'm Carlo from Italy, 1979 trans am olds403
Hi, i'm 44 years old from Italy (Rome), my car is a 1979 Pontiac T/A, so i run by oldsmbile 403 with automatic th350, 4links rear kit suspension, not many other modifications but, i would to install a muncie 4 speed, realize a dream if its possible...
I'm a freelance comic artist and i do other jobs around creative media.
So i dont know if the fact i have a Pontiac is not good for a Oldsmobile forum: many people love to say Ford or Chevy are bad then his own car brand, if different. I love many model car, Mopar, Chevy, Olds, Pontiac or Ford it doesn't matter: if i like, i like.
My Pontiac heart is Oldsmobile, yes i know, not the most powered motor, but in the next future i'll try to upgrade as its possible to mantein reliability and durability, not more then 220hp, a right way for me for daily driver street use.
Thats all, thank you for accept me, and have a great days,
The crankshaft will need modification to allow the installation of the Muncie as it's not drilled for the pilot bushing as it sits. Also the block is not set up to accept the Z-bar for the clutch setup so you will need an adapter for that.
The crankshaft will need modification to allow the installation of the Muncie as it's not drilled for the pilot bushing as it sits. Also the block is not set up to accept the Z-bar for the clutch setup so you will need an adapter for that.
Hello svnt442, i know about the pilot bearing drama, for the Z-bar i can let the mechanics work to adapt: i think is a minor problem then choose the right flywheel, clutch, pressure plate.
The starter work on a 166 tooth ring gear, but i've a chevy 168 tooth flywheel, i don't know if i can use, or i must find another flywheel for my 11" bellhousing...
Anyway thank you for your early suggestion, i hope one of many!
I think this post dont still here, but going to mechanical thread soon
The starter work on a 166 tooth ring gear, but i've a chevy 168 tooth flywheel, i don't know if i can use, or i must find another flywheel for my 11" bellhousing...
Chevy parts are completely different from Olds parts. That flywheel won't even bolt up to your crank.
Just my opinion, "most" (the 403s I have) have 3 recesses machined into where a pilot bearing would go. These crankshafts may be a good candidate for the "sneaker" roller bearing adapter (then drill a relief larger than the snout of the manual transmission. Decades ago when I was into Chevys, changing from a Powerglide (2 speed automatic transmission) to a manual transmission, there was a one piece pilot bearing that fit "automatic" recess with an extending outside smaller diameter. You'd also drill a relief for the snub. In my opinion, don't trim the snub on your transmission. My 403s all are machined for a Z-bar. I'm posting pictures of the 403 crankshaft recesses, a 400/425 manual crankshaft and a 403 Z-bar threaded hole.
Last edited by Kennybill; September 4th, 2018 at 12:14 PM.
Welcome to the forum, I recently purchased a 1979 trans am 403 olds to add to my Oldsmobile collection. I thought that it would be easier to find parts for a 1979 TA since they made so many of them but so far that has not been the case.
Last edited by sbasinger@hotmail.com; September 4th, 2018 at 03:06 PM.
Just my opinion, "most" (the 403s I have) have 3 recesses machined into where a pilot bearing would go. These crankshafts may be a good candidate for the "sneaker" roller bearing adapter (then drill a relief larger than the snout of the manual transmission. Decades ago when I was into Chevys, changing from a Powerglide (2 speed automatic transmission) to a manual transmission, there was a one piece pilot bearing that fit "automatic" recess with an extending outside smaller diameter. You'd also drill a relief for the snub. In my opinion, don't trim the snub on your transmission. My 403s all are machined for a Z-bar. I'm posting pictures of the 403 crankshaft recesses, a 400/425 manual crankshaft and a 403 Z-bar threaded hole.
Hi Kennybill, thanks for alla suggestions!
I think to install idraulic clutch or my mechanic built a custom linkage between the clutch-fork and clutch-pedal.
The problem number 1 is certainly connected to the pilot bearing, and operation i must to do.
Do you solved the problem by installing the dorman bushing https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-20405-690-035.aspx ?
I have doubts about the durability of the bushings used in place of the bearings, because I think the friction consumes them in a short time, even if they say that the bronze ones last longer... For this reason I'm looking for a way to find the adapter for a decent bearing, if this don't request to machine the crank flange: digging the flange is the thing I would like to avoid...If i must dig the flange, i prefer to install the bushing...
I am not an expert in mechanics, so i don't know if all the clucth-kit follow a common pattern to match on the different flywheels, and we need to know just the size of them...
Most Muncie/Super T10 transmission shops are using Italian gearsets because they are stronger. Maybe they are making the transmissions in Italy also. You'll probably need aftermarket alignment dowels to zero in your bellhousing to take side stress off the pilot bearing/main input shaft such as these.
Most Muncie/Super T10 transmission shops are using Italian gearsets because they are stronger. Maybe they are making the transmissions in Italy also. You'll probably need aftermarket alignment dowels to zero in your bellhousing to take side stress off the pilot bearing/main input shaft such as these.
Welcome to the forum, I recently purchased a 1979 trans am 403 olds to add to my Oldsmobile collection. I thought that it would be easier to find parts for a 1979 TA since they made so many of them but so far that has not been the case.
One of the most reliable engine, and if you want to give him more power without compromise stability you can with few money and good results. Basic upgrade is available in many ways!
Have you considered a T5 or T56 swap with better gear ratio, maybe 3.55 or 3.73.
You'd have to baby the T5 for it to live, so why bother swapping that? The T56 is a nice trans but the swap is problematic. Personally I'd just go with at Super T10 with the 2.88 first gear. Not quite as nice as a five or six speed, but a whole lot easier and less expensive. With the torque of the 403, I suspect it will be fine.
Welcome, nice looking car.
Do you plan on having the T/A stripes installed. I like the all black look.
Have you considered a T5 or T56 swap with better gear ratio, maybe 3.55 or 3.73.
All black is my decision
To have a T5speed in my country, i must consider taxes, transport, and all necessary parts to install, amount till 8100$ (7000€), extremely expensive...
You'd have to baby the T5 for it to live, so why bother swapping that? .
SorryJoe, but I have to disagree. I raced a 89 Mustang LX for a number of years with the later model t5(90 and up). Nitrous fed 5.0 3.73s and 28x10.5 slicks, 11.80s at 112-114.. I toasted one clutch, never a problem with the trans. I do agree that early T5s suck.
I just think that if going to the expense of switching over, an overdrive trans would and to the driveability of the car. Point is mute though if the prices are to high.
I agree on your choice of a T10 versus the Muncie
SorryJoe, but I have to disagree. I raced a 89 Mustang LX for a number of years with the later model t5(90 and up). Nitrous fed 5.0 3.73s and 28x10.5 slicks, 11.80s at 112-114.. I toasted one clutch, never a problem with the trans. I do agree that early T5s suck.
I just think that if going to the expense of switching over, an overdrive trans would and to the driveability of the car. Point is mute though if the prices are to high.
I agree on your choice of a T10 versus the Muncie
I've take a muncie because i found at good price. I knew t10 is not so strong like the muncie. Wich things are better then a muncie in T10?
SorryJoe, but I have to disagree. I raced a 89 Mustang LX for a number of years with the later model t5(90 and up). Nitrous fed 5.0 3.73s and 28x10.5 slicks, 11.80s at 112-114.. I toasted one clutch, never a problem with the trans. I do agree that early T5s suck.
I just think that if going to the expense of switching over, an overdrive trans would and to the driveability of the car. Point is mute though if the prices are to high.
I agree on your choice of a T10 versus the Muncie
I'm sorry, i thought it was "t5" is the tko 5 speed (tremec), but maybe you talking about the 3d gen camaro firebird tranny "B&W T"?
And you think this trans don't need of bellhousing adapter or some parts to match with olds403?
Someone here do this swap to match T5 to olds403?
September 4th, 2018, 04:15 AM
