i have a '68 SS 396 daily driver that is desperately calling me to install a 6 speed in it. I know that a few of you have 5 speed tremecs on your small blocks, but i was wondering if there is any way to mount either a 5 or a 6 speed to the back of a big block, what special hardware it would take and if the effort and monetary investment would outweigh performance and satisfaction gains of having a 6 speed first gen. big block car. Your comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

JOhn

I am in the process of installing the Richmond 5 speed to a big block. The stock bellhousing was used which was originally from a smallblock. The only difficulties I have encountered are getting a crossmember to work with the new transmission. The 5 speeds are the same length as the original 4 speed Muncies. The 6 speed however will probably take a bit more modification due to added length with the overdrive unit. Overall this has been a fairly easy conversion with minor shifter modifications needed.

Larry 69 Coupe w/454

larry,

Thanks for your reply. Where did you get your Richmond from, and for how much? I imagine you are having to adapt some of the electronics, if so which ones and how easy are they to install. I have a th400 in it now, so i don't have any of the clutch linkage, clutch, fork or anything. Where did you get these pieces from? Also, if you have any pictures of what you've done so far, I would be very interested to see them. Thanks.

JOhn

pj - I installed a Richmond 5 speed in my auto '69 - here's what I bought and the cost as near as I can remember (it's been 3 years so I'm sure the prices have gone up some):

From Summit Racing:
Trans $1600
Long Shifter $250?
Lakewoood Bellhousing $200
CenterForce Clutch $300?
Small hi-torque starter $175
Throwout Bearing $25?

From Classic Camaros:
Pedal Kit w/Z Bar $100?

Other:
Junkyard TH400 Yoke $25
Driveshaft mod $150
(had to convert for Ford 9" rear anyway)
Used flywheel $25
- since replaced by a new one for my 400 SB - $95
Chevy parts for the speedo $25
(Richmond will give you the p/ns and the stock stuff from a manual will work
I think)
Bolts, pilot bushing, etc. $25

It went it very easily. The only drawback to the Richmond trans is that the shifter (esp. the Long) comes out on the left top corner of the tunnel. This means you cannot use the console. However, several guys on the site have said they modified a Hurst shifter to fit correctly. I think they make an adapter plate to move it forward and down and then cut and weld a dogled in the stick. You could check with David Pozzi on this plus he has pictures of his install on his site. I think the Long is just a knockoff of the Hurst anyway so the mod should work on it as well. I didn't really care so I left it alone for the time being. I may go change it later.

One other item - I installed the trans in with my old 327 motor. Then I swapped in a 400SB. I had to tap the 400 block for both the Z-Bar pivot ball above the filter and an extra hole for the mini-starter bolt pattern. No big deal with the block on an engine stand but you should check yours before starting.

Hope this helps - all should apply to a 6 speed as well.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed; '99 HD Road King Classic
www.geocities.com/sdenning1 (http://www.geocities.com/sdenning1)

[This message has been edited by RockyMtnRacer (edited 07-17-2000).]

One other item - the crossmember. You can modify the stock crossmembers but I made my own from some steel square tube. Easy and very cheap if you have access to a welder.

Here is my page with the Richmond conversion. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_camaros.htm#Transmission

I just added a link from there to a new page with more photos and info on the Richmond 5 speed swap.

I made a new adapter plate that moves the shifter down and forward, then added an offset piece to move the shifter to the center line of the trans.
I copied my four speed hurst shifter and the stick comes out where that does.
The handle ends up closer to the driver as the Richmond Hurst stick has more bend toward the driver.
From what I've heard the 6 speed is the same length as the 5 speed.
David

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Check my web page for suspension info:
David's Homepage (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 07-17-2000).]

[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 07-17-2000).]