5-speed conversion question

CharlesJ

CharlesJ

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This should be an easy question, and for reference have read all the great threads and tutorials.

In said tutorials, under parts needed, it is mentioned that a "late" bell housing is needed for the conversion. I have a '73 4-speed currently and the transmission purchased is from an early e24 I believe (262.0.510.00). Do I need to get another bell housing from a '74 CS or e12 to make it work?
 
The bellhousing from an early (5spd) e24 should be perfect. I’m not sure what they meant by a late bellhousing. You want an early G265 bellhousing without the sensor hole.

The CS never got a five speed so no luck there. The e12 528i is another good source for 5spd gearboxes and proper bellhousings.
 
Isn't a 265 the same as a 262? Only longer? I'd think a bell that works w/one will work w/the other???
 
Here is the explanation from the tutorial: "The problems occur because of a change in 1974 to the bel housing and throw out bearing components. The bel housing is different, and must be used with the five speed (trust me on this one). The clutch slave cylinder is of the new style for this bel housing, ditto hydraulic hose, throw out bearing, fork, and pivot."

https://www.e9coupe.com/tech/5speed.html

Sounds like a should be good to go, but will need to get some e12 shifter parts, which is fine as the transmission I bought does not have any anyways.
 
CharlesJ said:
Here is the explanation from the tutorial: "The problems occur because of a change in 1974 to the bel housing and throw out bearing components. The bel housing is different, and must be used with the five speed (trust me on this one). The clutch slave cylinder is of the new style for this bel housing, ditto hydraulic hose, throw out bearing, fork, and pivot."

https://www.e9coupe.com/tech/5speed.html

Sounds like a should be good to go, but will need to get some e12 shifter parts, which is fine as the transmission I bought does not have any anyways.
Click to expand...

I still don't get what the article is stating. What G265 bellhousing existed in 1974? Don't you want to use a transmission from a 1978+ G265? Did any car come with a G265 prior to the 1978 e12/e24?
 
Markos said:
I still don't get what the article is stating. What G265 bellhousing existed in 1974? Don't you want to use a transmission from a 1978+ G265? Did any car come with a G265 prior to the 1978 e12/e24?
Click to expand...
Bellhousing with mount for newer slave clutch cylinder started it's life with 262 (4-speed).

CharlesJ - on photo you have most of the parts for conversion (just no drive shaft & gearbox mount)
20180725_194934.jpg
 
Wladek said:
Bellhousing with mount for newer slave clutch cylinder started it's life with 262 (4-speed).

CharlesJ - on photo you have most of the parts for conversion (just no drive shaft & gearbox mount)
View attachment 49662
Click to expand...
Related to this discussion, can anyone expound on the bell housing I have? Running a Getrag 265, installed by a PO. This bell housing appears to be open - slave cylinder mounted in the forward position. Maybe a second viable option? Sorry -old photo and very crusty under there at the time...
G265 bell housing.jpg
 
autokunst said:
Related to this discussion, can anyone expound on the bell housing I have? Running a Getrag 265, installed by a PO. This bell housing appears to be open - slave cylinder mounted in the forward position. Maybe a second viable option? Sorry -old photo and very crusty under there at the time...
View attachment 49663
Click to expand...
It's early version, with older type slave clutch cylinder.
Do you have 262 CR (5-speed) gearbox? Asking because 265/6 (overdrive) use different type of front housing cover and older type clutch arm can't be mounted without modifications.
 
I reread the actual article. Carl is just saying to use the G265 bellhousing and corresponding slave, etc.

The following is a list of the parts required to install a five speed overdrive trans into a CS. In simple words we are trying to install the 528i five-speed transmission into the CS. The dimensions of the 528i tunnel are the same as the Coupe. If a trans assembly from a 6 or 7 series is used the shifter components will need to be exchanged for a 528i. All of the bolts, mounts, etc. are the same. It's a bolt in. The problems occur because of a change in 1974 to the bel housing and throw out bearing components. The bel housing is different, and must be used with the five speed (trust me on this one). The clutch slave cylinder is of the new style for this bel housing, ditto hydraulic hose, throw out bearing, fork, and pivot. The five speed trans cross member is needed to clear the trans, and the shorter five speed shifter pieces are needed for the shift knob to pop up through the opening in the tunnel (again the 528i). Add the corrected length five speed drive shaft and we are shifting. The 528i has a mounting bracket in the tunnel to support the rear of the shift platform. By using an airflow meter mount, it is possible to pick up the rear of the shift platform and hang it from the tunnel using the rear auto shifter mount point. The speedometer cable for the automatic is the correct length for the five-speed conversion.
Click to expand...
 
Markos -- its been a while since I did my conversion, but the 262 4 speed and the 265 5 speed have similar bell housings. This makes sense to me because the front 2/3 of these transmissions are similar; Getrag added the last third and a bunch of internal stuff to make the 5 speed. Thus, the earlier 262 bell housings can hold the transmission, but Carl does not recommend it because of the throw out bearing and clutch slave.
 
Ohmess said:
Markos -- its been a while since I did my conversion, but the 262 4 speed and the 265 5 speed have similar bell housings. This makes sense to me because the front 2/3 of these transmissions are similar; Getrag added the last third and a bunch of internal stuff to make the 5 speed. Thus, the earlier 262 bell housings can hold the transmission, but Carl does not recommend it because of the throw out bearing and clutch slave.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I always knew that the G265 bellhousing was needed but I didn't know why...
 
Wladek said:
It's early version, with older type slave clutch cylinder.
Do you have 262 CR (5-speed) gearbox? Asking because 265/6 (overdrive) use different type of front housing cover and older type clutch arm can't be mounted without modifications.
Click to expand...
Mine is close ratio, dogleg pattern (non-overdrive). When I identified the housings with the extra middle piece and bolt alignment, I thought I'd come to the conclusion that it was a 265. o_O But that was a while ago and I can't find the info right now...
 
nosmonkey said:
Will a pre 74 flywheel bolt up to the 265 clutch set up?
Click to expand...

That brings up an excellent point. In the tutorial, nothing is said about a 265 clutch/flywheel. I was under the assumption that the standard CS clutch set and flywheel works. Is this the case?
 
I used an e12 flywheel (Lighter than the e28) and an M30 e28 clutch kit. Part number on my invoice is: 21-21-9-069-01X. Clutch was recommended by Carl Nelson.
 
Carl Nelson said:
The bel housing is different, and must be used with the five speed (trust me on this one).
Click to expand...

Ohmess said:
The earlier 262 bell housings can hold the transmission, but Carl does not recommend it because of the throw out bearing and clutch slave.
Click to expand...

Old thread, but I didn't want to start a new one.
I know that the G265/6 bell housing is different than the CS 4-speed bell housing (no hole for the arm, and different clutch slave) but is there any other difference?
I understand that it would be recommended to replace throwout bearing + clutch slave "while you're at it" when you're doing a 5-speed swap since those old ones probably isn't in the best shape anymore, and then it's a no brainer to use the newer TO bearing and clutch slave.

In my case I have a new clutch, new TO bearing, new clutch slave cylinder in my current 4-speed. So even if the older style isn't fully as good as the newer versions, could I possibly use my old CS bell housing + clutch + TO bearing + arm + slave and bolt up the 265/6 OD straight to it? o_O

Anyone knows, or wants to speculate?
 
You will have to modify the front plate of 265/6 to fit that early type support pin marked on photo below with red arrow.
Economically i think Robert you should buy later bellhousing, amount of work & money for mods will be probably close.
transmission.jpg
510416.jpg
 
Wladek said:
You will have to modify the front plate of 265/6 to fit that early type support pin marked on photo below with red arrow.
Economically i think Robert you should buy later bellhousing, amount of work & money for mods will be probably close.
View attachment 86944View attachment 86945
Click to expand...

Thank you Wladek, so, that's the difference!
I thought that pin was on the CS bellhousing but obviously not. Now when I understand why, it feels more reasonable to buy a new TO bearing and slave, I already have a 265/6 bellhousing.
 
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