[Mr. P-Body]

Guys,

This is probably not the best place for this, but I'm known on this forum, so I thought I'd ask. I had a transmission failure this morning in my Astro van. It LOOKS like a T-50, but I can't be certain. 5-speed manual, 4.3, '89.

What I'm asking for is a "pointer" or "link" to a place I can get accurate Chevrolet information. I've tried Google and looked at some forums. I need a site like some of the Pontiac places I go for a good database with correct information. Wikipedia was of no help. Most of the sites I visited don't aknowledge a manual with a 6, but mine's "stock" for sure.

Any help anyone can be would be greatly appreciated. I NEED the little van...

Jim

[poncho62]

Both these forums seem quite active

Chevy Astro Vans - GMC Safari Van

AstroSafariVans.com • Index page

[cobalt327]

You likely have the T-5 but the Muncie 5LM60 was used in S10 apps, possibly the Astro too- but that's just a guess.

Not sure what info you're looking for, but here are a few links: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...issions#GM_T-5

[LATECH]

Bruce Auto Parts in Mechanicsville, va has one for sale if you need one.
Brandywine in Fort washington , Md also has one.
Looks like the 4 cylinder verision may be a bit different.
Not sure where to look for any other info. Alldata or shopkey I guess.
On the web....

[bygddy]

Originally Posted by Mr. P-Body

Guys,

This is probably not the best place for this, but I'm known on this forum, so I thought I'd ask. I had a transmission failure this morning in my Astro van. It LOOKS like a T-50, but I can't be certain. 5-speed manual, 4.3, '89.

What I'm asking for is a "pointer" or "link" to a place I can get accurate Chevrolet information. I've tried Google and looked at some forums. I need a site like some of the Pontiac places I go for a good database with correct information. Wikipedia was of no help. Most of the sites I visited don't aknowledge a manual with a 6, but mine's "stock" for sure.

Any help anyone can be would be greatly appreciated. I NEED the little van...

Jim

Its def a T5, but unique gearing to the astro, I'm pretty certain if you look for an S10 5spd it will interchange, you may have to swap the tailhousing.....camaro of similar year should also be the same.....a zillion cars came with the BW T5

[camaro71633]

If it has a removable bell it is a t5 if not its a 5lm60.
2.8 v6 and 4 cyl t5s use a different input shaft.
I would look for a 1g 4.3 powered s10 or 88-94ish full size if your trans turns out to be the t5.
I think the 4.3 nv1500 will swap in place of the older t5 as well but I am not 100% sure on that.
camaro t5s have a different shifter location iirc

[Mr. P-Body]

Wow! That was fast!

THANK YOU!

Looks like its the T-5 then (separate bellhousing). I figured they kept the T50 around for 6s.

I'll be tearing it down in the morning.

Jim

[bygddy]

Originally Posted by Mr. P-Body

Wow! That was fast!

THANK YOU!

Looks like its the T-5 then (separate bellhousing). I figured they kept the T50 around for 6s.

I'll be tearing it down in the morning.

Jim

Hey Jim, if I remember correctly the shifter location is the same as a camaro..I may be wrong....but? If so, should be dead simple and cheap to pick up a used one quick.

[camaro71633]

I did some more googling and found this The Ultimate T-5 Swap Article

It looks like i was right about the camaro shifter location. It also appears that the astro trans has a unique ****er location and gear set as well. You should be able to swap the tail housing and shift assembly onto a camaro or s10 trans to fit your application.

[enginenine]

Alldata shows a 4 and a 5 speed were available. I bet thats a good setup with the standard in it. They are showing the 5 speed to be a Borg-warner MH3 t-5(77mm). I have an exploded view if you need it.

[OneMoreTime]

Another resource I use a lot is car-part.com the wrecking yard interchange..you do need to know what you are looking for though..

Sam

[OneMoreTime]

Did a search and found one in virginia..for the 4.3 astro van..

Sam

[1Gary]

Been involved in Astros for 15 yrs and a member of

THE PREMIER WEBSITE FOR ASTRO AND SAFARI VAN ENTHUSIASTS

The Astro's came equipped from 1985 to 1989 with 4.3's and non-W/C T-5's.The driveline is a one of a kind offset to allow more foot room on the driver's side.So the shifter was special to just the Astro's to locate it in the proper place to the driver.Also the bellhousing has a special tilt in the tranny to bellhousing to tranny bolt pattern.And yes we had a member who built a conversion to W/C parts in his Ultimate T-5 tranny for his 383 Astro.Very expensive to do I might add.We found that even if you up grade to better internal parts,the T-5's case flex and there isn't a fix for that.I don't think the guy with the Ultimate T-5 ever got it sorted out.It's just a bad design.The stick shift 4 speeds came in 1985/86 behind 4 cylinders and was a weaker design than the T-5's.Not very useful.With these vans near or slightly over 4,000lbs the 4 cylinder vans where a real turd.
I currently have a 1999 Sonoma 4.3 stick shift NW3500 5 speed shop truck.Those trannies also suffer from a weak design with bearing issues and sinkro (sp) problems.Also with the bellhousing being apart of the trans it is huge,ugly,and has a wt of a elephants butt.It does not have the ability of the shift location for use in a Astro van either.
I suggest you pull it and hand it over to a trans shop for a standard rebuild.While it's out replace the clutch,pressure plate,throwout bearing and resurface the flywheel.Take a look for any possibility of leaks in the slave cylinder too.These vans are a headache for many things to work on and after you get into it once I am pretty sure you won't want to do this again anytime soon.But if you don't beat on it,it should last as long as you own the van.Wouldn't hurt to take a look at the rear main seal while it's apart too.That should be a 1pc rear main.

[1Gary]

BTW-if because of the repair costs is more than you want to spend.It's worth it to strip the stick shift parts and steering column off the van.Astro owners know how rare those vans are and getting harder to find.

[Mr. P-Body]

Well, thanks again to all.

I've built many manual transmissions over the years, but mostly 4-speeds. Probably did a thousand Muncies... I'm confident I can handle the disassembly/assembly. Parts are available "local". We'll know by the end of the day if I was successful, or need another trans.

Jim