tranny, wheel, cam questions

[drk]

I've got a 66 coupe with a 3spd right now. I'm going to grab a t5 sometime in the next week and the conversion kit... which kit do you recommend? I also hear hooker super comps are the only long tube headers that fit a 66 with the t5. Has anyone heard anything else about this?

With addition to the headers and transmission I plan on throwing a 600cfm carb, single plan manifold and perhaps just a cam. Stock 289 heads (but recently rebuilt). Should I wait to throw in a cam with heads or do a cam swap now?

I plan on running 16x8's with 4.5 inch BS. I plan on running a 225/50 tire as well. Got granada brakes on... Any fitment issues on a 66?

Also, can I put a posi track/ locker on a stock 8 inch rear end? It won't be used for drag racing, rather just back road driving. I don't need strong axles but need some sort or limited slip differential.

 

[SoCalCruising]

Header fitment depends on your clutch type. If you convert to cable actuated clutch, then header choice is narrow. http://www.fordpowertrain.com/FPAindex/headers1.htm
Scroll down to 4-tube header for cable clutch.
Otherwise (keeping z-bar linkage), I don't see why the Hookers would be your only choice. I used Doug's Try-Ys on both toploader and T-5 without issues, until I converted to cable clutch. One header tube then had to be modified.

I used Modern Driveline's conversion kit. It works fine. I have no input on other types.

There'd another thread here on a 289 build-up that you should read - it's several pages long. It will help with Qs about heads/cam.

Your wheels and tires should fit fine; although, you may need to do the Shelby mod up front, which provides the neg. camber gain (when cornering) that you may need with that wheel, especially if you also lower the front end.

Yes, you can get a locker or limited slip for an 8". Look at the Currie Enterprises website for options.

 

[Rusty67]

I've got a 66 coupe with a 3spd right now. I'm going to grab a t5 sometime in the next week and the conversion kit... which kit do you recommend? I also hear hooker super comps are the only long tube headers that fit a 66 with the t5. Has anyone heard anything else about this?

With addition to the headers and transmission I plan on throwing a 600cfm carb, single plan manifold and perhaps just a cam. Stock 289 heads (but recently rebuilt). Should I wait to throw in a cam with heads or do a cam swap now?

I plan on running 16x8's with 4.5 inch BS. I plan on running a 225/50 tire as well. Got granada brakes on... Any fitment issues on a 66?

Also, can I put a posi track/ locker on a stock 8 inch rear end? It won't be used for drag racing, rather just back road driving. I don't need strong axles but need some sort or limited slip differential.

As far as conversion parts go, I recomend the Modern Driveline cross member. You will need a custom drive shaft as well as some way to operate the clutch. Since your car is a 3 speed already you can keep the z-bar setup if you want or you can switch to a cable/hydrolic system. If you keep the z-bar, I think you also need to buy an adaptor plate for the T5 to fit your current bell housing.

The heads/cam/intake swap can be done later. I would get the trans swap done first and make sure there are no problems with it before you do anything else. One upgrade at a time makes diagnosing a problem easier.

The Granada brakes will for your 66 fine but you might need a new outer tie rod. I can't remember if you need a different one on a 66 or not. I'm not sure if 4.5" of backspacing is correct, you might need a wheel spacer with that rim.

You can put a posi into an 8". They are available. I don't recomend puting a locker in for street use as they can cause unpredictable responses from the car when going around curves/corners.