Been coming along with my rat rod build, and the heart is a 1949 226 i6. I'm about to put the engine back together, and I've started looking into which trans to run. I have a few questions if anybody feels like helping me out. Remember, this is a rat rod, and I'm custom fabbing everything on it, and I'm trying to keep it low budget. I have access to a full machine shop, so keep that in mind as well. Since the flat 6 doesn't run much power to start with, I've been looking at an 89 ford Mustang T5 trans since it doesn't have much power loss, and there's one available locally. Anybody on here adapted this combo? I know I need the stamped steel ring that connects to the engine, and then I need the hogshead that attaches to the ring, but will I be needing the T5 pressure plate, clutch, and flex plate? I've bbeen looking on different forums and all over google, but I find conflicting information on them all.

 

Bryan, I adapted a Ford F150 4spd OD transmission ('84 - '87) to my 226 using a custom bell housing adapter. I am using all the original clutch pieces with the exception of the clutch disk which is for the F150.
Check out this adapter as it may work for you.

MEC - We're Only '32 - Bell Housing

Let me know if I can help.

 

Thanks for that Doug. Did you need a plate bolted between that housing and the trans, or is that one spaced correctly for the input shaft length and bolt pattern, so it bolts right up?

 

RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive.

Original applications: 1984/89 F150 300/302 2WD/4WD & Bronco.
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Be careful, because there's another:

RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive = 1978/83 F100/150 300/302 2WD

This trans was also used in 1977/79 misc Ford/Merc Passenger Cars, but the shift lever goes directly into the extension housing (tailshaft).

Both of these 4 speed O/D transmissions were also used in E100/250's, but the shift linkage is completely different.

 

No extra plate was needed besides the original starter plate that bolts directly to the engine as everything else lined up and the bolt pattern was correct. I did have to cut about 3/4" off the input shaft though as it was too long and hit the crankshaft after passing through the pilot bushing.

By the way, Number Dummy is correct showing which transmission I installed but since you are installing a T5 trans I didn't elaborate.

 

Cutting that much off didn't affect the pilot bearing at all?

 

No, the pilot section of input shaft on the F150 trans was quite long. And, it may have been only a 1/2" that was removed. When I originally tried to fit the trans and motor together it wouldn't engage the pilot studs in the plate because the input shaft was all the way thru the pilot bushing and hit the crankshaft. Removed the extra material and it worked fine.