T5 behind a 144

[60tudor]

Hi guys, Im new to the site and I just picked up a 60 2 door wagon that has been dormant for the past 35 years or so. The engine is stuck but it seems to only have about 68k on it. Ive got some pb blaster working in the cylinders right now and I am going to try and keep this engine in it as it is obviously original. What I am looking at next after getting it running is putting in a T5 behind it. Ist the process the same for the 144 as it is for the 200? Will the adapter work to bolt up the trans? Ive been looking in junkyards and online and the T5 looks like its pretty common to get. Will a GM T5 out of a Camaro work or does it have to be the Ford version? Its got the three speed in it now but the shifter is broken off the column so I figured if I was going to put the money and time into fixing it I should just go ahead and upgrade the trans. Any insight you guys could give would be great. Thanks

Darrell

 

[Bort62]

AFAIK, the T5 conversion will be the same as the 200, but keep in mind that you have the small "early" bellhousing and 8.5" clutch.

All of the conversion parts readily avalible are for the ford T5's. Using a GM T5 is certainly possible, but you are on your own as far as adapters, etc.

 

[Bort62]

And welcome to the forum.

 

[rocklord]

Welcome to the forum.

Check the Drivetrain, Wheels, Suspension, and Brakes section on this forum. It has been discussed numerous times.

You basically need the adapter for the 2.77 bellhousing and transmission crossmember sold by several vendors. You can go with the T5 from the 4cyl Mustang but the shifter is further back than most like; the S10 tailshaft can be used on the Mustang T5 to move the shifter closer to where it should be. You will have clearance problems with the T5 in your 60 model because the transmission tunnel is smaller than the later years. Also check the Sticky in the above mentioned section on switching to a diaphram clutch such as:

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42556

Also check out rickwrench's website at www.richwrench.com . He installed a T5 from an S10 in his station wagon.

Alot of options. Good luck.

 

[Bort62]

Welcome to the forum.

Check the Drivetrain, Wheels, Suspension, and Brakes section on this forum. It has been discussed numerous times.

You basically need the adapter for the 2.77 bellhousing and transmission crossmember sold by several vendors. You can go with the T5 from the 4cyl Mustang but the shifter is further back than most like; the S10 tailshaft can be used on the Mustang T5 to move the shifter closer to where it should be. You will have clearance problems with the T5 in your 60 model because the transmission tunnel is smaller than the later years. Also check the Sticky in the above mentioned section on switching to a diaphram clutch such as:

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42556

Also check out rickwrench's website at www.richwrench.com . He installed a T5 from an S10 in his station wagon.

Alot of options. Good luck.

As the owner of a '60 with a T5, I can say that claims of clearance problems are highly exagerated.

The only clearance problems I have are with my bellhousing, and I am using the later bell. Using the early bell would eliminate this all together.