I finally go the 53 on the road looks and runs good. My problem is I am running a 1986 302 HO motor from a t-bird with the original 3 speed manual trans. This trans makes it run like the original truck. After some research I think I would like to install a World class T5 5 speed trans. Question is will this trans bolt right up to the bell housing I am using now I would like to keep the manual clutch set up. Also how far back will the shifter be in the cab and what other problem will I encounter. Has anyone else used this tranny set up. Thanks.

 

LOL I think even with an overdrive gear, your old truck is going to run like the old truck no matter what you do to it. It'll just drive a little faster at a given RPM.

Why not change out the bell housing to one made for the 302 and T5 - with the clutch you are using already?

What rear end do you have in the truck?

 

The bellhousing I have now bolts up to the 302 and uses a mechanical clutch which I want to stay with don't want to mess with slave cylinder. Also got a 97 explorer rear with disc brakes and 3.73 ratio.

 

The T-5 trans has a unique bellhousing bolt pattern, so it won't fit onto your current adapter bell. But there are plenty of bell housings and adapter kits that would put a T-5 into an early Mustang, and those could be made to work in your effie and let you use a mechanical clutch linkage. The next issue is shifter position. A Mustang style T-5 puts the shifter about at the back of the seat, so shifting one of those would be an issue. Early S-10 pickups used a T-5 with the shifter in a far forward position that can be used in your truck, but they are becoming harder (and more expensive) to find.