T5 bellhousing same as Toploader?
- Thread starter MADXF
- Start date
Yes BUT....
The 85 to 87 XF ran a cable clutch with its T5. Silly affair had left hand enrty becasue of the catalytic converter. The clutch cable still seamed to break in service anyway.
The 67 to 72 Falcon XR-XA ran a hydraulic clutch, and all four speed sixes were always Toploaders until l973,
the 72 TC Cortina ran a cable clutch, and was reputed to have come out with a Toploader till 73, but I don't know for sure.
The Toploader bell housing was fairly common until 1973 when the XB came out with the Valiant Charger BW Single Rail. Used on all 4-speed Falcons from 73 to 85.
After 1985, the T5 used the earlier Toploader style item. I think that's the one Jack Collins used on his T5 to X-flow swap in Cross Flow Chronicles in the Tech articles.
The 85 to 87 XF ran a cable clutch with its T5. Silly affair had left hand enrty becasue of the catalytic converter. The clutch cable still seamed to break in service anyway.
The 67 to 72 Falcon XR-XA ran a hydraulic clutch, and all four speed sixes were always Toploaders until l973,
the 72 TC Cortina ran a cable clutch, and was reputed to have come out with a Toploader till 73, but I don't know for sure.
The Toploader bell housing was fairly common until 1973 when the XB came out with the Valiant Charger BW Single Rail. Used on all 4-speed Falcons from 73 to 85.
After 1985, the T5 used the earlier Toploader style item. I think that's the one Jack Collins used on his T5 to X-flow swap in Cross Flow Chronicles in the Tech articles.
Paul, the bellhousings are NOT the same. You can add a T-5 adapter plate to the Toploader bell (these are more common with Mustang people), or get a T-5 bellhousing - either aftermarket or the Ford cable operated unit.
The clutch forks must have been a weak point because (a) they're still available as a service part, and (b) most times you find a T-5 bellhousing the fork is missing. :roll:
If you want a hydraulic clutch on the box, then you will probably have to use the Toploader bellhousing and adapter. This should come in cheaper than other options.
Whatever you buy, make sure you get the fork boot. They're hard to find as a separate item without paying more than the bellhousing costs.
Cheers, Adam.
The clutch forks must have been a weak point because (a) they're still available as a service part, and (b) most times you find a T-5 bellhousing the fork is missing. :roll:
If you want a hydraulic clutch on the box, then you will probably have to use the Toploader bellhousing and adapter. This should come in cheaper than other options.
Whatever you buy, make sure you get the fork boot. They're hard to find as a separate item without paying more than the bellhousing costs.
Cheers, Adam.
Thanks for the replies guys.
So the toploader bellhousing shorter than the T5 item? I thought all the 6cyl boxes had the same depth bellhousing, which is why I mentioned re-drilling.
Where would I find one of these adaptors?
A hydro clutch would be awesome, I have a single rail in the car at the moment and the cable being not far from the extractors, they tend to get stiff fairly quickly.
Having never driven a car with a hydro clutch before, what are they like compared to a cable operated clutch?
Cheers.
So the toploader bellhousing shorter than the T5 item? I thought all the 6cyl boxes had the same depth bellhousing, which is why I mentioned re-drilling.
Where would I find one of these adaptors?
A hydro clutch would be awesome, I have a single rail in the car at the moment and the cable being not far from the extractors, they tend to get stiff fairly quickly.
Having never driven a car with a hydro clutch before, what are they like compared to a cable operated clutch?
Cheers.
Compared to the mechanical linkage types, it has much less feel of there being movement as you clutch.
The adaptors come from Mustang parts places and evilbay etc. NPD sell it, but others would too. New, it's about USD$150.
Maybe the T-5 input shaft is longer (NPD say it is)? You might be able to machine a single rail or three speed bellhousing by opening the centre bore and redrilling the mounts. Depends how close they are to the thickenings in the cast form. I tried eyeballing two inside bellhousing pictures and it's tight. Maybe an XF era three speed bell would be a candidate - but you would need to spotface for a hydraulic pivot and slave mount... Most converted bells keep their actuation method.
There's going to be a few bob buried in it, no matter which way you swing. Hope this helps!
Cheers, Adam.
The adaptors come from Mustang parts places and evilbay etc. NPD sell it, but others would too. New, it's about USD$150.
Maybe the T-5 input shaft is longer (NPD say it is)? You might be able to machine a single rail or three speed bellhousing by opening the centre bore and redrilling the mounts. Depends how close they are to the thickenings in the cast form. I tried eyeballing two inside bellhousing pictures and it's tight. Maybe an XF era three speed bell would be a candidate - but you would need to spotface for a hydraulic pivot and slave mount... Most converted bells keep their actuation method.
There's going to be a few bob buried in it, no matter which way you swing. Hope this helps!
Cheers, Adam.
A
Anonymous
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from memory, I think the input shaft on a T5 is 19-21mm longer than a toploader ordinary input shaft/single rail input shaft.
The one I'm looking at getting is $40, so only a bit better, but it does come with a clutch plate and pressure plate too.
If those meaurements are correct, is it possible to just have a plate of correct thickness to space it out to match or would the plate have to be fixed to the bell, ten the box fixed to the plate? if ya get what I mean... sort of like hubs spacers vs. hub adaptors.
If those meaurements are correct, is it possible to just have a plate of correct thickness to space it out to match or would the plate have to be fixed to the bell, ten the box fixed to the plate? if ya get what I mean... sort of like hubs spacers vs. hub adaptors.
The one you buy ready made, has two sets of holes. One lot attach to the bellhousing. The others are for securing the T-5.
If you make a spacer plate, you'll still need to be sure there's enough meat for threading extra long bolts into. If you laid the T-5 over the bellhousing, then drilled pilot holes accurately - it might tell. But that will also require correct bore for the front bearing retainer.
If you make a spacer plate, you'll still need to be sure there's enough meat for threading extra long bolts into. If you laid the T-5 over the bellhousing, then drilled pilot holes accurately - it might tell. But that will also require correct bore for the front bearing retainer.
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