Need T5 swap info

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
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Rogue River, Oregon
Ok, for those of you who've swapped a T5 into your car, I have a question: can you use an early flywheel and clutch with the late model T5 trans and bellhousing? Since my car is presently an auto, I hope to use the T5 trans and bellhousing and a hydraulic clutch linkage rather than buy all the original '68 style clutch linkage, but I need to use an early, 11" clutch and flywheel due to my early motors balance. So will it work? Any advice would be appreciated!
Jim
 
I presume you mean you still want to use the three finger style pressure plate. The only issue I can see is if the newer style throwout bearing, which, of course, would have to be used with the T5 style fork, would work against the three finger pressure plate and whether or not there would be enough throw to release the clutch. The fork pivot is on the 'drivers side' versus the pivot on the 'passenger side' with the earlier bellhousing. If these bases are covered, you should be good to go. Now, waiting for someone who actually has this configuration to chime in........
 
Thanks, that's about what I thought. I didn't know what to do about the balance problem, and I have a flywheel for the motor so I'd hoped it would work. But I think the best solution may be to use the late model flywheel after all. Now for my next question: are all Mustang T5's the same or are some years better as far as swapping them into a '68? How much should I expect to pay for a good trans and bellhousing? There's a local wrecking yard that offers warranties on their parts as well as free shipping to your door, but I don't know what's a fair price and what's too much to pay. Also, I see you have a Model A pickup. My first car was a '30 Model A pickup that my Dad and I built with a 289/C4. It was my daily driver for nearly 5 years and I still have it. I plan to rebuild it with my son when the time comes for him to have a hot rod.
 
If you click on this link it will show serial tag's ,and good info.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index2.shtml
If you wanted to use the original clutch,with the late model bell housing,you could buy a fulcrum relocation kit ,about $35 ,now that I
see you are going with the late model stuff you are better off, one thing I would recomend is that t-5's come with an aluminum bearing retainer ,you can buy a steel one for about $40 ,a good websight to do some homework on the trans is here
http://hanlonmotorsports.com/index.asp
as for price ,it's the luck of the draw,I found a bellhousing for $40 with the shield ,a tran's you just have to look around ,I got mine cheap from a friend ,the ear on the mounting flange was cracked ,other than that it was O.K. ,and after tig welding it is good as new. Hope this help's
 
If your shopping for a t-5 do yourself a favor and either buy a new one, a rebult one from someone trust worthy, or get one and have someone trust worthy rebuild it. I have gone through 3 just trying to get one to work right. I finally just got a good rebuilt one and had it rebuilt with the t-5z parts and a steel retainer. I also use the hydaulic clutch as well.