Toyota 5 Speed Conversion Questions

[Bob McElwee]

I am posting this in both the Austin Healey and The Pub forums. It seems to be a popular conversion across different LBC models.

I now have a Toyota 5 speed W58 tranny. I have some questions about it.

1. Is there any way to tell it is a W58 other than putting it in 5th gear and seeing the ratio of the input/output shafts? My highly scientific method indicated an approx .75 input rotation made a 1.0 output rotation. This would support the .783 ration of the W58.

2. Should I just clip the backup light switch wires and pitch the connector?

3. What weight oil and how much? I’ve seen both 2.5 qt and 2.5 L. Any recommended brands?

4. The tranny is supposed to have about 132,000 miles on it. Any maintenance I should do before it goes in the car?

5. When I separated the bell housing one of the alignment dowels stayed in the bell housing. Do I need to get it out and if so, what is a recommended method?

6. Any other hints or tips?

I’m in touch with Pete Delaney for the Smittys conversion kit.

Thanks in advance.

 

[martx-5]

I've got the W58 trans and will be doing the conversion on my TR3. I'll try to answer your questions with the help of Herman Van Den Akker's instruction booklet and what I know.

1. Instead of just going around one time and trying to figure out the ratio, go around TEN times. This way, it's easier to count whole and partial rotations of the input shaft. I marked the input and output shafts with a magic marker. Put the box in neutral and align them so they are in the same position. Then put in fifth gear. Rotate the input shaft so the output goes around ten times (it pays to have a helper here) while you count the revolutions on the input shaft. It will be easier to see the last fraction of a turn this way when your helper has counted ten.

2. If you are not using the backup light switch, just clip the wires so that they don't get tangled in anything, but leave the switch in.

3. Herman says to get 3 qts of API GL4 or GL5 SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90. DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OILS. While the tranny's sitting level, just fill it up to the level of the filler plug hole.

4. Don't know how to answer this, but I was talking to John at Quantum Mechanics about this conversion and the Toyota box, and he said that every one he's pulled apart to check has been fine inside. It's a crap shoot, but history is on your side. Personally, I'm not opening mine up, and I have NO idea how many miles are on it. But, I did go through Herman's check list, and everything seemed OK.

(a) Look for wear in the input shaft. There should be no noticable play.
(b) Put trans in neutral and turn the shaft. It should turn lightly and smoothly.
(c) Turn input shaft in each gear. The output shaft should slip through fingers. Again, the shaft should turn smoothly and noiselessly in each gear.
(d) Finally, remove the shift tower and inspect the bushing inside the gear selector dog for wear or damage. A beat up dog indicates abuse.


5. Yes, you need the locating dowels. They positively locate the trans to the bell housing so there is no rotational movement. The bolts alone will not provide this. It ususally stays in the trans end, so you should be able to remove it with a pair of vise grips by twisting and pulling, or twisting and prying up with a screwdriver. It shouldn't mar up too much, as it's a hardened pin. If you can't get it out, the size is 12mm. Someone like McMaster should have them. Make sure it's a hardened pin.

6. I'm sure whoever is suppling the kit will fill you in on all the rest of the details.

Here's some more info on the W series Toyota Transmissions.

 

[Bob McElwee]

Thanks for the info Art. I'll do the stuff you suggested.