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1965 Mustang 5 bolt 289 C4 to Toploader conversion

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1965mustang289
  • Start date Start date Sep 29, 2019
  • Tags Tags
    289 automatic to manual c4 to t5 swap c4 transmission ford toploader manual conversion mustang project car t5 swap toploader
1

1965mustang289

New Member
Sep 29, 2019
2
0
1
United States
Sep 29, 2019
#1
  • Sep 29, 2019
  • #1
I currently have a 1965 Ford Mustang that I would like to convert from a C4 to a toploader. However I have a couple issues with my upcoming project. The car was originally a 6 cylinder car and still has the original driveshaft and rear. I am not sure if these would need to be replaced for the toploader conversion. Another problem is that the 289 is a 5 bolt block. I will also be requiring the 5 bolt bellhousing for the toploader. I am not worried about getting that because I found a couple on ebay. I was wondering if there were any special parts that I would need because the car was originally 6 cylinders and because of the 5 bolt 289. Any help or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I know many will just say do a T5 swap, but I want to keep the car how it would of been during the 60s when it was new. Also if anyone knows of a good website were these aftermarket parts can be purchased I would appreciate that as well. I have been looking on CJs and Summit, but they have a lot of parts for the T5 swap and not a lot of the parts are for a 5 bolt 289.
 

2Blue2

will be trying this sex one when I can find it
Mod Dude
Mar 5, 2019
4,430
2,893
163
Oahu
Sep 29, 2019
#2
  • Sep 29, 2019
  • #2
1965mustang289 said:
want to keep the car how it would of been during the 60s when it was new. Also if anyone knows of a good website were these aftermarket parts can be purchased
Click to expand...

Original? or aftermarket?, I'm confused.

My advice find a donor car for 5 lug suspension you need front spindles w/stops and 8 or 9 inch rear
You can buy it all aftermarket but it can be expensive.

Mustangs Unlimited
NPD
Stangaholics
Paddock
CJ's
Ect lots of choices
 
1

1965mustang289

New Member
Sep 29, 2019
2
0
1
United States
Sep 29, 2019
#3
  • Sep 29, 2019
  • #3
2Blue2 said:
Original? or aftermarket?, I'm confused.

My advice find a donor car for 5 lug suspension you need front spindles w/stops and 8 or 9 inch rear
You can buy it all aftermarket but it can be expensive.

Mustangs Unlimited
NPD
Stangaholics
Paddock
CJ's
Ect lots of choices
Click to expand...
I’m not worried about the suspension parts right now I am worried about odd parts that may be hard to find for the toploader conversion. Like would the driveshaft be different for a six cylinder rear? Or would there be any odd or rare parts that I would need because it’s a 5 bolt 289 besides the bellhousing? I would just like to buy all the aftermarket parts online. Thanks for your reply.
 

2Blue2

will be trying this sex one when I can find it
Mod Dude
Mar 5, 2019
4,430
2,893
163
Oahu
Sep 29, 2019
#4
  • Sep 29, 2019
  • #4
Do you have a clutch pedal?

The main difference between 5 bolt and 6 bolt set up is the bell housing itself and weather or not it has the trans bolt pattern your looking for which it probably does.

Having had a 5 bolt, 6 bolt, 289, 302, 3 sp manuel,4 sp manuel,T5, bellcrank linkage, cable linkage,c4, and some other stuff in my 65 mustang over the years.
I feel like you said

1965mustang289 said:
I know many will just say do a T5 swap,
Click to expand...


I would want a T5 and a cable linkage and auto shorty headers Its just so much more enjoyable to drive.
 
S

southcross2631

Active Member
Dec 13, 2019
73
76
28
Athens,Tn
Dec 16, 2019
#5
  • Dec 16, 2019
  • #5
My 65 Comet convertible that I used to have. Did not come from the factory with a top loader. It came with a T10. It was a 5 bolt block . I bought car in 1967 and it only had 15,000 miles on it so I know it was original.
The only real difference is the bell housing . Everything else is the same as the later 65's that had a 6 bolt block. David Kee top loaders should have what you need.
 

bartl

Active Member
Feb 4, 2001
218
8
29
West Rutland, Vermont
Dec 16, 2019
#6
  • Dec 16, 2019
  • #6
Make sure your 5-bolt manual transmission bellhousing is drilled with BOTH early and late TL bolt patterns.
 
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