Questions re installation of a Richmond 5-speed

[67HEAVEN]

My 5-Speed is on the way.

If you've already installed a Richmond Street 5-Speed in your C2:

1. What did you do about a transmission mount?

2. Which shifter did you choose and why?

3. Driveshaft issues?

 

[richscorvettes]

Glad to see that you are at this stage of the project. There are some things that you must change and one (removeable cross-member) that isn't absolutely necessary.

On the first list:
- You need a 26 spline clutch/pressure plate setup. I used the CenterForce Dual Friction unit. They have two others that provide less pedal effort but a little less clamping force. With the engine you plan on using you might want the higher force.
- A two size universal is needed to adapt the transmission to your driveshaft. You can use your existing driveshaft without having to modify it.
- The shifters that fit are the Hurst and the Long. I used the Hurst but the Long should also work well. I do know that the Hurst has enough mounting point adjustment to allow the handle to come up exactly in the stock location so there is no need to modify the console.
- You need to reposition the transmission mount a little lower to make sure things clear the trans. tunnel. The yoke is a little larger diameter and it is a close fit.
- Be sure to add your new 5-Speed shifter plate. That's mandatory or the shifter won't work. :eyerole

A removeable transmission cross-member isn't essential but I think it is a good idea. Should you have to do transmission or clutch work in the future it will make getting them out easier as you won't have to remove the engine. We made mine out of 2" x 4" steel stock. We cut the original cross-member about 15" from the side rails and welded on plates on each end (with matching plates on the new removeable section) making them large enough to allow four mounting bolts on each side. You will also have to re-install the parking brake pulley and weld on the trans. mounting plate. I also used the poly style trans. mount.

Those are the main things I can think of. Just let me know if you have any other questions.

Rich Lagasse

 

[67HEAVEN]

- A two size universal is needed to adapt the transmission to your driveshaft. You can use your existing driveshaft without having to modify it.

Thanks Rich. Any brand name? Model?

- The shifters that fit are the Hurst and the Long. I used the Hurst but the Long should also work well. I do know that the Hurst has enough mounting point adjustment to allow the handle to come up exactly in the stock location so there is no need to modify the console.

I like what you have to say about the stock location of the Hurst.

- You need to reposition the transmission mount a little lower to make sure things clear the trans. tunnel. The yoke is a little larger diameter and it is a close fit.

I have a set of drawings that show how to modify the stock transmission mount. Is this what you did, Rich? Modify a stock mount?

Thanks for the information.

 

[richscorvettes]

I got mine from Ecklers but I would think Richmond Gear should also have them. Here is a link to the Eckler's page showing both the universal as well as the shifter. http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept_id=1876&pf_id=A4275&mscssid=FEWJT9CAAWS92LQK00N0SM2EP36CA8T3

I don't recall the brand of the universal. I used Spicer's everywhere else and it may well have been that brand.

On the shifter I have heard feedback that the Long unit has stronger shift arms but also that there were problems adjusting them. I've never tried one myself so don't know for sure. I do know that the Hurst works well and fits well. You do have to be mindful of the space on the left side of the transmission as the shifter does take up a little more space than the stock shifter.

On the transmission mount we followed their directions regarding positioning when welding to the removeable cross-member. While you can reuse your existing mount I thought one from a 73 (I think that was the year),which used to bolt in, might work better so we used that one.

Hope that helps. Just let me know if there is anything else.

Rich Lagasse

 

[67HEAVEN]

On the transmission mount we followed their directions regarding positioning when welding to the removeable cross-member. While you can reuse your existing mount I thought one from a 73 (I think that was the year),which used to bolt in, might work better so we used that one.

Rich Lagasse

Once again, Rich, you've been a great help. That's Eckler's link is dead on.

Help me out on the above paragraph concerning the transmission mount. I'm not up on the differences between the '67 and the '73 mount.

Also, I've decided NOT to cut the crossmember. Might want to make this a matching-numbers L-88 for eBay some day.

 

[richscorvettes]

Help me out on the above paragraph concerning the transmission mount. I'm not up on the differences between the '67 and the '73 mount.

Also, I've decided NOT to cut the crossmember. Might want to make this a matching-numbers L-88 for eBay some day.

Also, I've decided NOT to cut the crossmember. Might want to make this a matching-numbers L-88 for eBay some day.

Oh, okay. :t Your choice, but you might curse a little down the road if you ever want to do clutch or trans. work. But you do have that new cherry picker and I know you want to use it again.

On the difference between the mounts, the 67 is welded on as you already know but the 73 style I used was a bolt-on setup. I know it was a C3 frame that it came from but I'm not positive on the year. We just used this as it made it easier than cutting off the original. But, since you are retaining the cross-member, you'll be cutting it off anyway so it would be just as easy for you to reuse it.

Enjoy your project, Carlisle awaits!

Rich Lagasse

 

[Fuelie]

'67 Heaven,
If you need help wrestling that Richmond into place just let me know and I can slide by your place and give you a hand. Only to happy to help a fellow vette nut

 

[67HEAVEN]

Fuelie,

Thanks for the offer, although the cherry picker won't have much difficulty dropping the Richmond on a rolling chassis.

The body-on-a-dolly is headed to the body shop on Friday where the new fenders, etc. will be installed. The Richmond is due to arrive next week.

You're welcome to drop by for a or glass of

 

[SolidLifters]

I just bought a T56 from D & D after reading about it in both the May and June issues of Chevy High performance. It's got some REAL advantages over the other brands and not much in the way of drawbacks I can see except for relocation of the shifter which might be a problem in a mid year Corvette. I'm sticking mine in a big block 55 Chevy project, so the location of the shifter hole isn't important.

I looked at the Richmond stuff, but didn't like their selection of gear ratios, with most everything they sell still being 1:1 in high gear. They do have a 6 speed now with overdrives, but the gear ratio's listed still weren't to my liking and it's pricier than the DD/T56 and has a lot lower torque rating also. D & D (according to the magazine articles) buys brand new Viper transmissions from Chrysler and bluprints them making several changes, including different shift forks and a different input shaft that is compatable with old style bellhousings and mechanical clutch linkages. They also change the tailshaft housing to one with the bolt pattern for a std. Chevy trans mount and it includes a hookup for mechanical speedo and moves the shifter foward from the regular T56. It's a straight bolt in for older Chevy stuff except for crossmember, driveshaft length, and shifter location. The output shaft in it is bigger than all the T56's from Chevy's and Mustangs, so it requires a Viper yoke also. Supposedly the bigger mainshaft is where some of the extra torque rating comes from which they advertise as 550 ft lbs.

 

[Subfixer]

There is another option out there using a Tremec TKO 5 spd OD.

It's a bolt in with everything needed to do the install in about 6-7 hrs. There will be a trans install get together the first Sunday in June to install this trans in a 65 coupe.


Take a look:
http://www.keislerauto.com/Corvette_5Speed.htm

 

[SebringBill]

Even though my Richmond is in a C1 (57) I thought I'd post regarding the shifter. I installed a Long shifter and it fit so well I was able to replace the original (smaller) console plate. Rich knows all about my shift plate!

BTW, the Long shifter is one beefy unit! I truly believe that I could merely add a couple of grease fittings, loan it to any Trans-Am team for an entire racing season, and get it back in perfect working order! After all, it did take me 7000 miles from FL to CA and back last summer - and quite often not anywhere near as slow as the posted speed limits!

 

[Mac]

Man, I wish I was close enough to help with your install, 67. These are the fun times- much better than scraping/degreasing/picking dirt outta yer eyes.

 

[67HEAVEN]

The Richmond is due to arrive next week.

Well it didn't come that quick but the phone just rang and the man said, "Bring a truck"........so that's where I'm headed.

Photos later.

 

[richscorvettes]

Well, it looks like you'll be on schedule to be done before Carlisle!

Rich Lagasse

 

[67HEAVEN]

Well, it looks like you'll be on schedule to be done before Carlisle!

Rich Lagasse

I'd be happy if that were true, Rich, but not a chance.

My wife had a hysterectomy last week and I'll be chief cook, bottle washer, house-keeper, shopper, and all around slave for weeks. Whatever spare time I have is for visiting my mother-in-law in hospital with terminal cancer. Now and then I even work!!!

Meanwhile, here's the first tranny photo.

Richmond 5-speed and M-21 Muncie 4-speed side-by-side.

 

[richscorvettes]

Sorry to hear of the things happening on the home front. I guess we often get too caught up in the hobby sometimes to focus on the really important things. All the best to your wife and mother.

Take care.

Rich

 

[Mac]

I, too, am sorry to hear your family is being subjected to trials. This has to be expecially hard for your wife. Between her operation and having her mother at the hospital, she must be fit to be tied.

Give her my best and be strong for her, Bob- she needs you now more than ever. Although this may be the most stressful and trying ever, these things too shall pass.

When my wife's father passed on from cancer, his last months were anguish for him and for us as he wasted away, always in pain, and there was nothing we could do. It ripped my wife up pretty bad (she was only 27 years old when he died) but we survived and you guys will too.

Incidently, all you big brave Corvette owning males, see your doctor and submit to the finger. Prostate cancer is a horrible way to die and early detection can make the difference between life and death.