Auto to manual coversion ???s

[slepe67]

Well, I'm about to start scrounging parts to begin my work, and was wondering about the possibilities of coverting my 67 (former) 6 cyl/auto coupe to a 4 speed. I have recently acquired a 289 (6 bolt bellhousing) and I already have the 8 inch rear. So, what would it take to convert to manual tranny? Was looking to go T-10 4 spd. I have the SSBC drum to disc conversion on the shelf, and I can't remember if it's "tranny specific", if it is, do I need to get a different master cylinder? Thanks in advance for inputs/suggestions/info/insults

 

[steel1212]

Do a google and I think you'll find your answers. Most of us just go to a t-5 to get the over drive. They make kits for the t-5 conversion and I don't think you'll have any problems with you disc brake setups I think thats just with the 65-66s

 

[68 Coop]

Did the 289 have a C4 behind it before??? If so, you will need a flywheel, since the auto had a flex-plate. Clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, cross member are a few things just off the top of my head. I'm sure some T5 owners will chime in to help out too.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

don't forget the clutch pedal and the linkage from the pedal to the clutch fork. modern driveline is a good source of info for this conversion is your are going with a 5 speed.

 

[slepe67]

Yeah, I wanna keep it "original". At least how the T/A coupes were run back in the day. T-10 top loader is a must. Good advice, I'll try to google this stuff and go with what I have here...cmon ebay..this is gonna hit the wallet....thanks fellas

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Yeah, I wanna keep it "original". At least how the T/A coupes were run back in the day. T-10 top loader is a must. Good advice, I'll try to google this stuff and go with what I have here...cmon ebay..this is gonna hit the wallet....thanks fellas

your best bet if you can get lucky enough is to get everything from one car. when i did this last year i got stuff from different cars and it didn't always want to work together, but then again it could have been the supplier. i got my stuff from mustangmasters 3 years ago, when i didn't know any better, and it took me at least a year to get some of the correct parts from him until i got lucky and ran into a guy that was doing a manual to auto conversion.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Yeah, I wanna keep it "original". At least how the T/A coupes were run back in the day. T-10 top loader is a must. Good advice, I'll try to google this stuff and go with what I have here...cmon ebay..this is gonna hit the wallet....thanks fellas

I'm doing something similar with my '68 coupe, only not a "Shelby" per se. As far as I know, I finally have all the parts to complete my manual conversion, except I'm goin to use a Ford Toploader(I think T10s are side-accessing).

You will need: Flywheel with the right counterbalance factor for your engine, clutch, release fork, Z-bar, Z-bar frame side and engine side pivots, Z-bar to clutch fork rod, Z-bar to clutch pedal rod/firewall boot, clutch pedal, and couple linkage springs in there. And yes, it will hit your wallet....especially when you start adding aluminum flywheels, McLeod scattershields, Ram clutches, and the average cost of $120 just for the clutch pedal like I did. You might want to throw a roller pedal pivot conversion in there too.

 

[5.0StangRacer]

where do you find a ford toploader? are they still produced? how much do they cost?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

You get them wherever you find used car parts. Ebay for one. They have not been produced since somewhere around '74. For cost, they're all over the place, but its not uncommon to see them around $400-800.

The Tolpoader was Ford's answer to big engined cars making big power. The T-10 isnt bad, but the Toploader is a very strong transmission in stock form and there is a fairly good aftermarket for them. There were many different combinations of parts on them and because of that you want to make sure you get the right input shaft, right tail housing, right overall length, and right ratio(wide or close ratio) for you application.

 

[LMan]

T-10 ok. Toploader better.

 

[slepe67]

Yeah, I did a crap load of searches last nite, and came up with a Top Loader being the best for what I want to do. www.Perogie.com has a kit for around $3000. That's everything to do it, just "install it" to the motor and go...will see...

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Where is this kit on their site? For $3k it better come with a rebuilt trans and some other nice parts.

 

[mdjay]

Here's a good article for making a t5 swap...

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index.php

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Yeah, I did a crap load of searches last nite, and came up with a Top Loader being the best for what I want to do. www.Perogie.com has a kit for around $3000. That's everything to do it, just "install it" to the motor and go...will see...

perogie's prices are insane. the only thing i've gotten from them are a couple of z-bar bushings i couldn't find anywhere else. be patient and check ebay. toploaders show up on their from time to time. david kee has a good website that can help you with trans and tailshaft id #'s. www.4speedtoploaders.com
IIRC you should be able to find some of the clutch linkage ( z-bar, forks, etc...) in catalogs, and the pedal(s) shouldn't be that hard to find either for a '67/'68.

 

[LMan]

you can do a T-5 swap for less than a grand if you pinch your pennies and are patient for deals.....

 

[5.0StangRacer]

tell me more for this less than a grad T-5...where should I be pinching pennies and where can I watch for deals?

 

[5.0ina66]

tell me more for this less than a grad T-5...where should I be pinching pennies and where can I watch for deals?

Hmm..lesse...a used T5 @ $500, a homemade crossmember, a used aftermarket shifter and appropriate length handle (homemade) $130, a homemade cable clutch setup $60 (or a homemade hyd. setup for $250). New FMS KingCobra clutch $180. Not counting auto => manual parts, and possible driveshaft shortening, that's $770 with a cable clutch. How's them apples?

Add $150 for a premade crossmember, $90 for a premade cable setup and about $40 for a Hurst handle if you want to do it fast and easy.

Mine looks like it'll be right at, or under a grand with a used T5, homemade crossmember, new FMS clutch, homemade hydraulic clutch setup, used shifter, and new Hurst shifter handle. I'm starting with a 3spd car too, so I've got the clutch pedal and all that already.
HTH
--Kyle
PS: I have a line on 2 or 3 good used V8 T5s for about $500 if you're interested.
HTH

 

[LMan]

Kyle has it pretty much nailed.....folks paying more than, say, 1500 are lazy, mechanically hopeless, or too rich for their own good


me? I freely admit my membership in the 'lazy' club

 

[slepe67]

Hey, easy now. I spend about 8 months a year in the mid east (for the last 4 years), and I dont have time to research THAT much...only reason I was gonna pay that much was cuz it was all new stuff. He had a parts list, I might try to find all the parts and see how much they are all together....

 

[LMan]

Hey, easy now. I spend about 8 months a year in the mid east (for the last 4 years), and I dont have time to research THAT much...only reason I was gonna pay that much was cuz it was all new stuff. He had a parts list, I might try to find all the parts and see how much they are all together....

......all in good humor. You can find all of this stuff in classifieds or eBay (for the adventurous ) quite easily. Used T-5s are everywhere.

Perogie is for the desperate check-writer...you have a long way to go before that point.

See, the forum just saved you $2000 on your conversion and we aren't even demanding a consulting fee!