Recently picked up a 1978 Loadstar 1700 for a silage truck. Engine sounds great, though on the drive home we had a bearing go out in the transmission. Rather than look for parts, we are looking for a different transmission. It's got the 5 speed which I believe must be the T-496 transmission. It's two wheel drive with the two speed rear end. 345 engine.
We have had a few leads on local trucks sitting around. They have 5 speeds in them, but have a different mount. Our truck has mounts attached to the engine to hold the engine and trans, the other one's we've seen have mounts on the trans to hold both. Any chance we could swap bell housings and make one of these work?
Another option is we found a T-34 a guy has. Bell housing looks to be the same. Assuming this one would swap right in? We do have a two speed rear end so could get by with the bigger gear ratio gaps if we had to.
First preference would be to use one of the 5 speeds with different bell housings as we could get that one for next to nothing. Thanks in advance for your expertise and advice.
We have had a few leads on local trucks sitting around. They have 5 speeds in them, but have a different mount. Our truck has mounts attached to the engine to hold the engine and trans, the other one's we've seen have mounts on the trans to hold both. Any chance we could swap bell housings and make one of these work?
Another option is we found a T-34 a guy has. Bell housing looks to be the same. Assuming this one would swap right in? We do have a two speed rear end so could get by with the bigger gear ratio gaps if we had to.
First preference would be to use one of the 5 speeds with different bell housings as we could get that one for next to nothing. Thanks in advance for your expertise and advice.
