Ok so here's the backstory. A good buddy of mine's got a '92 F150 SCLB 4x4 with a 5.0 and M5R2 manual. He and I are both shadetree mechanics and we want to swap a 351W in place of the 302 just as a winter project and to see if we can (we both have a month and a half off and plenty of free time on our hands.

We got the 5.8, along with computer, motor mounts, radiator, and intact wiring harness out of a '92 F-350 for a deal so nice it's unreal. And yes, we saw the truck run and I've personally driven it so I know there's not anything majorly wrong with the motor. The poor guy got t-boned by a drunk driver and tweaked his frame and wrecked the side of his bed and the back part of his crew cab, so bye bye F-350. He's a good family friend and let us pick off anything we wanted from the truck for a flat $200.

Anyway, we weren't able to get our hands on the ZF in the one ton cause it was already gone. I hear tell that the M5OD will bolt up to the smallblock but I also hear they're glass trannies and that anything else is preferable. My friend will use the truck mostly as a daily driver and maybe haul a light to medium load 2-3 times a year. I know him, this truck is his baby and he isn't likely to abuse it, though I can't guarantee that he won't try to do at least one burnout with his new power.plant

Do you all think we should go ahead and drop the motor in now or should he start hitting the jy's for a ZF 5 spd? The 5.8 will be staying 100% bone stock and believe it or not we are going to try to put it back together with smog parts intact, to keep the whole swap as stock as possible. For being mostly a daily cruiser, will he be fine with the Mazda trans? I told him he would be OK but he told me to get "second opinions" so here I am. Let me know what you all think of our project. This is our first engine swap and we'll be starting work on it tonight!

Thanks, Evan

 

What kind of abuse can the M5OD 5spd real world handle???? - Ford Bronco Forum

 

In a 150 with a stock 5.8, it will live just fine.

 

My friend's kid just bought an 89 (I think it is) Bronco with the 5 speed behind a 5.8.

 

I run a 75HP shot of NO2 into a 302 with a M5OD so I think you will be okay. Put it together and get good footage when you and your buddy roast the tires.

 

Hello Evan,

been doing some research and you are all
I've found. Did y’all end up putting the M5R2 on the 351? I just bought a thunderbird that has the m5r2 and want to go the 351W route. Curious is y’all pursued this and what needs to be done to do so.

Thank you-Jake Jones

 

I'm not Evan, but I engine swapped my truck from 300 I6 to 351W in the fall of 2020 and have been running the 351W with M5R2 as my daily driver for nearly 3 years now... no problems so far.

 

You bought a Thunderbird with and M5OD? So you bought a Super Coupe? I don’t know for sure but:
1) I would be driving that like I stole it. Yes, I had an ‘89 T-bird SC. It got totaled when some turned in front of me or I’d still have that car.
2) I don’t think the 3.8 bell housing bolt pattern is the same as the 300/302/351W but I could be wrong.

 

Hi Jake. Yes, we did. I'm not sure when it comes to the cars side of things how well it will fit, or if it will bolt up. What motor did the tbird originally have?

 

Supercharged 3.8L

 

Next to last gen t-bird (Fox platform) will have 5.0 as an option, so could theoretically be fitted with a 5.8

Rather go with built T5 over the M5.

 

I have an F-250 that was a 5.0 originally with the M5R2 in it, the 5.0 was swapped for a 351w, the 351 isn't stock, its got some after market items on it. I haven't had a problem with it, I recently changed the ATF in it, and it had some goodies in it, along with it being burned, the previous owner probably hasn't changed it since who knows when. I read up that the M5R2s are really hard on ATF, and you are supposed to change it often. Also the plugs in the top plate I believe come out causing it to leak fluid. The only thing I don't like about the M5R2 is the gearing is kinda weird, 4th and 5th are pretty much the same gear I hardly use 5th, I go through 1st and second in like 2 seconds but 3rd is great. I went up a 10 degree incline going 60 with a 40mph headwind in 5th and that's the only time I was worried, I just hauled a ton in my bed, no problem, mines held up pretty well. I don't think the ZF5 will bolt up to a 351, I am pretty sure they were for the big blocks.

 

No, optional on plenty 351/5.8s.

 

what all is required to do so? I’m very new to engine swaps but just put a brand new M5R2 in my 95 with the 300. Just found a nice 351W on market place for 2k and looks nice and mostly rebuilt except bottom end. Just wondering what else I’d need to get it swapped over and working like normal. Thanks

 

2K for a "mostly rebuilt, except for bottom end 5.8" sounds like $1900 too much.