Bellhousing and other questions.

[Greywolf]

Two separate items being poked into one post:

1. I have an XE crossflow in my grubby little paws, here in the US of A. It has a flexplate setup, not a clutch.
I have an '89 Mustang 5.0 T-5 transmission.
I need the parts to connect the two. Specifically, bellhousing; I can use a hydro or cable clutch. I need a flywheel, but I think I can use a US one?

2. I just got my hands on a Datsun 280ZX. Is there anyone out there who has put an OHC Ford-6 in a Z-car? I've got the factory 5-speed in good shape, or I could source another T-5. I'm just feeling nice and evil.

Thanks!
Ben

 

[addo]

Shop around for the Falcon bellhousing. It's cheaper than a Dellow unit. Get the fork and rubber boot, sandwich plate and inspection cover.

The OHCs have been slow on the swap-in uptake for several reasons. One of the main areas on early cars is fit (specifically, the manifold). Then there's resistance to electronics. Then there's the bent motor advocates.

There was a fellow in West Oz who put a current model turbo six into a UK (70s) Capri. He got it in and running; it made pretty decent power from memory.

 

[Greywolf]

Okay...take two...
1. Does anybody have the bellhousing in question? It's kind of hard to poke through junkyards for the Aussie part when one is many thousand miles away.

2. (Aimed at Addo and Xecute mostly)...for the OHC engines...what would you build? How would dropping an OHC into a car differ from dropping in an EFI X-flow? I know the variable intake setup would be an added complexity; what else does one have to contend with? Water pump outlets appear to be on the other side, are the mounts terribly different? Sumps? etc.

3. Am I nuts?

Questions will be worth 33 1/3 points each and graded. No engine will be left behind :roll:

Ben

 

[addo]

I'll answer #3 first. This is somethig a friend and I have discussed at length. We are trying to find an "everyman's" approach to combining investment, self-insurance, hobby expenditure and accommodation. The current "working solution" (not enacted) seems to be put all your money in a capital guaranteed fund, make beer brewing your hobby, live in a work van with comprehensive insurance on it, and pursue an in-demand blue collar skill.

#1 For the bellhousing: I can send you a Dellow unit, but it will be over $350 before postage. Then you still need the sandwich plate and inspection cover, fork and dust boot. Comes to a lot of beans, all up. If Danny in Melbourne has a cable Falcon one you could ask him to post it with all the doo-dads you need. Call him on +61 3 9462 2920. Check your time of day at timeanddate.com. Otherwise, buy a Toploader bell and fit the generic conversion plate.

#2 I personally believe this (OHC) is the way to go, at least if you don't put mega-miles on your hobby car. Getting the computer to run acceptably under all conditions will be the the challenge area, other than space constraints when installing. The "EL" series Falcon one is rumoured to be the most mechanically sorted, but ensure you get a good (unopened) one with verified mileage... The ideal donor would be a low-option sedan with no towbar!

Can't wait to see who disagrees with me.

 

[xdee]

Totally agree with your OHC answer Addo, only because I've done it and have to admit it's the best decision I've ever made. Straight out of the box, its light years ahead of the old crossflow. Even on untuned straight lp gas, and running a modded but as yet not recurved XE electronic dissy, its still a beautiful motor. I can only imagine the difference it is going to make when all the little things are finished.
btw, no petrol thus no computer, and donor was a low option but high miles,(250+ km) no tow. But when I cracked it open was like new.

 

[xdee]

Okay...take two...
1. Does anybody have the bellhousing in question? It's kind of hard to poke through junkyards for the Aussie part when one is many thousand miles away.

2. (Aimed at Addo and Xecute mostly)...for the OHC engines...what would you build? How would dropping an OHC into a car differ from dropping in an EFI X-flow? I know the variable intake setup would be an added complexity; what else does one have to contend with? Water pump outlets appear to be on the other side, are the mounts terribly different? Sumps? etc.

3. Am I nuts?

Questions will be worth 33 1/3 points each and graded. No engine will be left behind :roll:

Ben

Sorry Ben, I was to busy agreeing with Adam to notice there were points up for grabs!
1. Crossflow to T5 bellhousings aren't rare but they are different to our single rail bellhousings, and not quite as common. They only came out on our unleaded motors and have clutch lever to left hand side. They are all cable operated. I work in a Ford wreckers part time and we still get $200 for them compared to about $30 for a 'rail. They are sometimes available on ebay and I've seen them go cheap and I've seen them get $300. Whether the seller would ship O/S???

2.I don't know your US bell pattern but Aus. OHC is different to Crossflow so bell would be needed. Fly, clutch, etc. should be the same. From '80 on, we only had 2 different clutches, 240 mm and 254 mm if memory serves, so US clutch shouldn't be an issue. Only diff. with our flys are Metric mounting holes but same patterns from late '85.
I'm not familiar with US engine mounts, but if you can fit a Xflow, OHC shouldn't be a problem. The mount to block pattern is slightly different but easy to modify. Variable intake (Broadband manifold) shouldn't be a problem to hook up with a frequency switch. Your only issue may be shock tower clearance. But other types of intake are available. Water pump is on the opposite side and there are a number of outlet sizes, depending on what drve belt set up is to be used. Sump doesn't have the forward cutaway like a Xflow and the oil pump is about 2" up from the front lower edge so space for mods is limited.

3. Yes.

 

[addo]

Hey Ben, a guy 50 miles up the coast from me has got a hydraulic Toploader bellhousing. I haven't seen it yet, so don't know if it's the humpback or flatback type. It'll be reasonably costed, for sure. You could use that with a 5.0 Toploader-T5 conversion plate.

Same fellow has an original complete 2V with BW bell and flywheel, and some good used '87 Falcon spindles (alloy calipers and reduced bump steer). Both those things I will be pitching at Evan, so maybe you and he could draw up a list and work out some deal on a crate of goodies, ex-Sydney?

Let me know!

Cheers, Adam.

 

[Greywolf]

Sounds excellent!
Let me know your timeline and how much room you have.
I'm looking at a list of spares I'd like; if there's time.
Ben

 

[Greywolf]

Belay the last...I've found a bellhousing.
Thank you for looking, though!
Ben