Ford T-5 in a flathead
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Ford T-5 in a flathead
I've got 1947 Ford pu with a 59a flattie. I just purchased a Mustang II to install along with a 9" rear. With all of the upgrades, the 3-speed stock tranny is gonna have to go. I have a great little T-5 out of a early 90's Super Coupe (Thunderbird). I know Cornhusker and Offy offer adapters for the S-10 T-5, but does anyone offer the same for the Ford T-5? Any advice?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
T5's are made by BW so they're not brand specific as far as I know. Only difference is shifter location. S10 is the preferred box because the shifter is closer to your stock location. 'Stang shifter is located on the tailshaft, putting it under your seat (or real close) and I assume your 'bird tranny is the same.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 35
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GM T5s have a different bolt pattern on the bell housing end of the main case than T5s originally installed in Ford or AMC/Jeep. Since the Cornhusker adapter is made for a Chevy S-10 trans, a Mustang or Turbo Coupe box will not bolt to the adapter.
As far as the other end of the trans, where the tail case or transfer case adapter bolts on, the pattern is the same among all T5s, a S-10 tail housing can be put on a Mustang or Jeep T5.
Now, you can swap the internals from say a Mustang trans into a GM pattern T5 case with one watch out. Non-World Class parts (NWC) parts can be swapped with other NWC parts, and World Class (WC) parts can be swapped with other WC parts, but NWC does not mix with WC. Even the case changed at the NWC to WC upgrade, and NWC gears will not fit a WC case, and vise versa.
GM/Chevy was late (like 90 or later on the S10) as far as when they switched to WC, but Ford switched to WC very early (1985 for Mustang).
Go to www.5speeds.com and look at the posts in the T5 section for the last year. We have pretty well trampled the S-10 tail case, and speedometer issues to death.
Piper106
As far as the other end of the trans, where the tail case or transfer case adapter bolts on, the pattern is the same among all T5s, a S-10 tail housing can be put on a Mustang or Jeep T5.
Now, you can swap the internals from say a Mustang trans into a GM pattern T5 case with one watch out. Non-World Class parts (NWC) parts can be swapped with other NWC parts, and World Class (WC) parts can be swapped with other WC parts, but NWC does not mix with WC. Even the case changed at the NWC to WC upgrade, and NWC gears will not fit a WC case, and vise versa.
GM/Chevy was late (like 90 or later on the S10) as far as when they switched to WC, but Ford switched to WC very early (1985 for Mustang).
Go to www.5speeds.com and look at the posts in the T5 section for the last year. We have pretty well trampled the S-10 tail case, and speedometer issues to death.
Piper106
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Joined: Jul 2004
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one other thing... make sure you dont get the camaro firebird T-5, it has the transmission tilted sideways and uses a special bell with a rotated pattern leaning towards the driver. still has the standard chevy bolt pattern but would cause problems with the kit for a S10 trans. I only posted this just as a FYI just in case you might run across one in a bone yard and get too excited thinking it should work before noticeing the tilt. good luck sounds like an excelent idea! the T-5 has a nice OD!
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 370
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From: Southern Connecticut
The Transmission in a 90's T-bird SC is not a T-5 like the mustang, etc. It is a Mazda truck transmission. The supercharged 3.8 made more torque than the Mustang 5.0, and that is why the T-5 was not used. I have a factory shop manuel for a 90 T-bird if I can be of any help referencing anything.
Mark
Mark
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2004
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Should have clarified. Thunderbird 2.3L Lima 4 cylinder Turbo Coupe (1985 to 1988) is a T5 trannie with a Ford pattern main case at the bell housing end. I didn't know the 1990s Super Coupe T-Bird trans was a Mazda.
As far as I know, other than the shifter location, the Camaro / Firebird T5 trans is the same as S-10 trans. Agreed, the bell housing in the Camaro/FB is different and it rolls the trans over 15 deg toward the driver, but again, I don't think there were any mods to the trans.
Boyks47, if there aren't any dead S-10s in your area that can give up a trans, I'd look on Ebay or elsewhere on the web. One way or another you need the S-10 parts to get a trans with the shifter in the right place.
Piper106
As far as I know, other than the shifter location, the Camaro / Firebird T5 trans is the same as S-10 trans. Agreed, the bell housing in the Camaro/FB is different and it rolls the trans over 15 deg toward the driver, but again, I don't think there were any mods to the trans.
Boyks47, if there aren't any dead S-10s in your area that can give up a trans, I'd look on Ebay or elsewhere on the web. One way or another you need the S-10 parts to get a trans with the shifter in the right place.
Piper106
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
There is a difference between the S-10 and Mustang T-5 transmissions. The NWC S-10 transmissions did not have roller bearing. They use a different oil (90w gear oil). The Mustang V8 T-5 have roller bearing and use ATF for lube.
I have the parts to swap a S-10 shifter/tailshaft onto a Mustang T-5. Tail housing, output shaft, top cover, shifter and yoke. You could probably get away with not changing the output shaft, but you will lose the speedo gear - it's in a different location.
I think Jeep T-5 transmissions had a top-shifter, so that's an option.
I have the parts to swap a S-10 shifter/tailshaft onto a Mustang T-5. Tail housing, output shaft, top cover, shifter and yoke. You could probably get away with not changing the output shaft, but you will lose the speedo gear - it's in a different location.
I think Jeep T-5 transmissions had a top-shifter, so that's an option.
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Originally Posted by Piper106
GM T5s have a different bolt pattern on the bell housing end of the main case than T5s originally installed in Ford or AMC/Jeep. Since the Cornhusker adapter is made for a Chevy S-10 trans, a Mustang or Turbo Coupe box will not bolt to the adapter.
As far as the other end of the trans, where the tail case or transfer case adapter bolts on, the pattern is the same among all T5s, a S-10 tail housing can be put on a Mustang or Jeep T5.
Now, you can swap the internals from say a Mustang trans into a GM pattern T5 case with one watch out. Non-World Class parts (NWC) parts can be swapped with other NWC parts, and World Class (WC) parts can be swapped with other WC parts, but NWC does not mix with WC. Even the case changed at the NWC to WC upgrade, and NWC gears will not fit a WC case, and vise versa.
GM/Chevy was late (like 90 or later on the S10) as far as when they switched to WC, but Ford switched to WC very early (1985 for Mustang).
Go to www.5speeds.com and look at the posts in the T5 section for the last year. We have pretty well trampled the S-10 tail case, and speedometer issues to death.
Piper106
As far as the other end of the trans, where the tail case or transfer case adapter bolts on, the pattern is the same among all T5s, a S-10 tail housing can be put on a Mustang or Jeep T5.
Now, you can swap the internals from say a Mustang trans into a GM pattern T5 case with one watch out. Non-World Class parts (NWC) parts can be swapped with other NWC parts, and World Class (WC) parts can be swapped with other WC parts, but NWC does not mix with WC. Even the case changed at the NWC to WC upgrade, and NWC gears will not fit a WC case, and vise versa.
GM/Chevy was late (like 90 or later on the S10) as far as when they switched to WC, but Ford switched to WC very early (1985 for Mustang).
Go to www.5speeds.com and look at the posts in the T5 section for the last year. We have pretty well trampled the S-10 tail case, and speedometer issues to death.
Piper106
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
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From: Seattle WA.
83 to 87 S10 5-speed transmissions are the most popular because they have the cable speedometer drive in them. 88 and later used the electronic sender which would require the converter box or the installation of a new speedometer. Look at my gallery it has some pictures of a 5-speed trans install in my 51F1.
Hope this helps
Rod
Hope this helps
Rod