253 and Manual transmission???

[ggas250]

Hi Guys been ages since I posted in here, but have been watching and reading getting info as per usual. After years of no action. I'm thinking of making a start on my CF SWB 76' resto! I have acquired a red 253 and also have a celica steel case 5 speed that I was hoping to fit into the old girl in place of the red 202 and aussie 4 speed. Has anyone done the V8 with manual tranny or is space for clutch pedal too much of a pain to do V8 with manual???

I'm also possibly interested in just letting the van go if this conversion is just too hard as I don't want an auto in it. It's in pretty good nick with a lot of spares and a spare black 202. Just thinking of clearing shed space for other projects if my idea is too hard.

Thanks in advance

[VanWolf]

ggas250,
I am doing something similar. Putting a 5.0litre out of a Holden VN. I am jigging the pedals and steering column.
will let you know how I go.

Mike

[ggas250]

Thanks Mike that would be greatly appreciated..........surely others have done V8's with manual Tranny's!!!

[Gordon]

It can be done by offsetting the V8 to the left, thus providing sufficient room to retain a clutch pedal, but I would discuss this with the engineering authorities just to get the all clear before cracking in to it.

[Bean]

I have a Holden VN motor in mine and there is the remains of the cut off clutch pedal in front of the steering column, Its really tight down there , not sure how you'll get away with it,
Through a 4 speed turbo 700 box and a 9"diff with a 2.7 ratio  - she simply purrs along 1750 RPM @100kph with more than enough grunt to upset Mr plod if necessary.I haven't towed anything with her yet but I don't see that being a problem. 

[ggas250]

Thanks for the info guys, maybe I will just see how Mike goes with his......if I have to go to an auto I will just leave it as a 202 and 5speed.

Cheers Wayne.

[BusyKiwi]

Don't be afraid to put the engine off centre, most cars are, classic example is the corvette, leg room between driver and passenger is heaps.

If anything the engine really should be off centre (more to the left) to compensate for the weight of the driver, dash, steering column and worst of all the petrol tank. Apart from driver all this stuff adds up to about 100kg and the drive shaft needs to be 3-6 degrees to diff - can be up or down or side to side but it needs that to avoid chewing out the universals 

[jim]

hi , about 2 years ago I replaced the 202 and trimatic for a 253 and 5 speed supra box , I had to move the steering column, fit a 1" alloy plate under it to allow for the offset also cut weld and angle the clutch pedal away from the engine box [a two piece from Ben in yarram] ,that left me with enough room to depress the clutch with even a gumboot on ,you will also need to extend the steering coupling link due to moving the column, hope this may help and convince some member that it is possible  ;