Ra40 w50 to w57 conversion?

[chris_rg]

i just put a w57 in my ra40 as part of 1g conversion. One thing to note is that the gearbox cross member will end up further back (distance from bellhousing face to cross member is greater on the W57 than W50). However overall length seems the same if not close.

But there is good news, the 1g howtos for ra23/8 guys say they need to extend the cross member mounting points. The RA40 has spare bolts holes in the chassis so the cross member will bolt up directly if you turn the rubber mount around. Without turning the rubber mount around the hole end up in between the holes on the chassis. So yeah, bolt up affair for the cross member for me.

My shifter position is too far forward (out of ra60 not sure???). I just gave the tunnel a little love with the angle grinder. Not sure how it feels to drive yet, not going at the moment. I was thinking of bending the shifter if it was a problem!

I just reinstalled the original tail shaft, it seems to end in about the same spot on the spline as it did on the w50.

remember my experience is all with the 1G. But given the tail shaft lined up no problem that is my reference point to make the assumption that it will be fine on the 18R aswell (unless of course the 22r bellhousing is a different length)

can get pics if you like.

Cheers
Chris

[maurice c]

Thanks chris, i've seen the second set of holes for the cross member, I think that the ra40 ws offered in usa and canada with a 22r in there explaining the second fitment for the later model w5x. How near is the shifter to the dash in fifth etc? I'm not worried about the tunnel, if the shifter position doesnt fit then it wont take much to make it.

[chris_rg]

Thanks chris, i've seen the second set of holes for the cross member, I think that the ra40 ws offered in usa and canada with a 22r in there explaining the second fitment for the later model w5x. How near is the shifter to the dash in fifth etc? I'm not worried about the tunnel, if the shifter position doesnt fit then it wont take much to make it.

hmm good question. I have sat in it a shifted through the gears with no obvious problem. However, i think the previous owner has shortened this shifter. Not a proper short shifter with a moved pivot point but just cut it off. That might help my clearance with the dash.

I can try to get a photo showing the angle and the clearance of the shifter in fifth if you like

[maurice c]

yeah, that would be good. I cant trial fit it because the car is my daily driver.

[o_man_ra23]

I have a W5x in my RA28 and can confirm that the thrust bearing, housing and fork which comes with the W5x will work with your existing clutch, and the clutch slave will work with your lines and master. The tailshaft is the same, and the gearbox xmember will indeed fit the RA40 without issue. I have had to add angle iron bracing and extended my xmember back.

[chris_rg]

as requested...

[maurice c]

Looking at both pictures i'm thinking that the factory hole for the shifter is in a different position on the manual 40's and the auto one's.

[chris_rg]

quite possible i guess. when i get home I'll get a side on picture of my w50 extension housing. This might give you a better indication.

[CrUZida]

You've used an RA60/5 shifter positioner on that.
Remove it and replace it with an M/GA70 shifter positioner and she'll come up through the hole.

[CrUZida]

Looking at both pictures i'm thinking that the factory hole for the shifter is in a different position on the manual 40's and the auto one's.

This is the case with most Toyota's at least during the 80's.

From memory the rear of the hole is usually in the same position, but the front is larger in the manuals.

[chris_rg]

You've used an RA60/5 shifter positioner on that.
Remove it and replace it with an M/GA70 shifter positioner and she'll come up through the hole.

Does changing the shifter position require removing the extension housing to change that select arm thing??

[CrUZida]

In a nutshell, yes.

Technically it doesn't need to be completely removed, but it does need to be unbolted and shifted back about 6"

[maurice c]

Just been to repco to check on slave cylinders and apparently they have the same listing for the ra40 late 78 onwards and the ra65, apparently the early 40's ran a 23/28 style fork and slave cylinder.

[CrUZida]

I know the slave cyl bolt pattern on my W50 bellhousing was different to my W58 bellhousing, but they were bolt M bellhousings, not R, so that could be different.

[o_man_ra23]

Yes, RA40 late items should be right... the early ones had an adjuster on them. Listing for late RA40 will be the same as RT142.