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1953 Chevy Pickup Transmission Installation - Five-4-Six

Stop Straining, Put a Keisler TKO-500 Behind Your 235
From the February, 2009 issue of Classic Trucks
By Rob Fortier
1953 Chevy Pickup Keisler Transmission
1953 Chevy Pickup Transmission
Mmmm mmm good! Just be thankful... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Transmission
Mmmm mmm good! Just be thankful you only have to look at the greasy mess--I had to pull the old anchor. Actually, the excess grease made for an easy out, though my driveway was quite a bit darker afterward.
1953 Chevy Pickup Shifter Unit Removal
On top-shift four-speeds,... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Shifter Unit Removal
On top-shift four-speeds, remove the shifter unit before dropping the trans out; on side-shift three-speeds, simply disconnect the linkage.
1953 Chevy Pickup Transmission Removal
With the bulky transmission... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Transmission Removal
With the bulky transmission securely supported atop a floor jack, a pry bar splits it from the bellhousing. Previously, the tailshaft mount and torque-tube collar had been removed for the prior rearend swap.
1953 Chevy Pickup Four Speed Transmission
I was surprised to find the... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Four Speed Transmission
I was surprised to find the old four-speed had found a new home soon after removal. The stock rear crossmember, however, was retained for possible use with the Keisler five-speed.
1953 Chevy Pickup Clutch
Once the tranny was free and... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Clutch
Once the tranny was free and clear, the old clutch came out. As you can see, compared to the new Sachs clutch kit, both the stock pressure plate and disc were done for (look at the old diaphragm, for example). The Sachs clutch looks like the old one, but performs like a modern clutch should--no stiff pedal, either.
1953 Chevy Pickup Pilot Bushing Removal
Before installing the new... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Pilot Bushing Removal
Before installing the new clutch, the old pilot bushing was removed. Depending on how long the bushing's been in the crank, it may come out easy, or like mine, it may put up a big fight. I borrowed a Blue Point bushing remover to help ease the pain.
1953 Chevy Pickup Pilot Bushings
A needle-bearing pilot bushing... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Pilot Bushings
A needle-bearing pilot bushing came with the TKO-500 kit. The Sachs clutch kit also included two brass bushings. I used the needle-bearing one. If you end up using a brass bushing, remember to NOT grease it, as the brass is impregnated with oil, and grease merely defeats the purpose.
1953 Chevy Pickup Runout Check
With the new pilot pressed... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Runout Check
With the new pilot pressed in, the time came for the runout check, required by Keisler in order to validate the warranty. With a radial dial indicator, check the bellhousing input hole alignment to the flywheel. There cannot be more than 0.005-inch runout. If there is, it must be corrected with offset dowel pins in the bellhousing. Not wanting to make the correction, I was fortunate enough to come within the limits.
1953 Chevy Pickup Clutch Installation
With the runout verified,... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Clutch Installation
With the runout verified, the new clutch was ready to be installed. If, like me, you install the clutch with the bellhousing on, it's a good idea to wear work gloves. You will notice that the splines on the Sachs disc differ from the stock one; Sachs supplies the appropriate alignment tool, so don't fret.
1953 Chevy Pickup Aluminum Spacer
Remember I mentioned the one... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Aluminum Spacer
Remember I mentioned the one modification required? This is it. I had Greg Peterson (Peterson Engineering, 714/279-8032) make this 1/4-inch aluminum spacer based off a poster-board template.
1953 Chevy Pickup Input Shaft
Because the transmission will... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Input Shaft
Because the transmission will still register in the bellhousing with the thicker input shaft collar, getting the center hole perfectly accurate wasn't as crucial, but Greg still made it as near-perfect as could be.
1953 Chevy Pickup Guide Pins
One piece of great advice... 
   
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1953 Chevy Pickup Guide Pins
One piece of great advice I remembered was to make two guide pins with all-thread for the upper bellhousing mounts. Getting the input initially lined up in the throwout bearing was hard enough as it is; the pins alleviated a lot of aggravation.

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