T5 Conversion 65 Falcons

[StarDiero75]

Howdy guys

I just finished swapping a T5 into my 65 Ranchero with a 66' 200 and 9" clutch. I figured I'd try to make a "how to" with this and some pictures. (This was done on an original manual trans car)

•Step 1
Remove driveline. Remove original trans, disconnect shifter rods if OTT

•Step 2
Remove starter, bell, (clutch only if you have a 4cyl T5, or if you're putting in a new one)

•Step 3
Drill holes into bell housing using the adapter as a template (7/16"+ hole). Make sure to use the counter sunk holes to hold adapter in place. Bolts for right side enter from inside bell housing

•Step 4
Cut hole in floor. Location depends on tail housing. If using front shift/S10 tail housing, cut like in pictures. If rear shift/mustang, cross member may need to be cut.

•Step 5
Tap in pilot bearing if needed, then bolt up bell and T5 without clutch. This is for test fitting hole cut in floor. The entire round boot at the base of the shifter needs to be able to go through the floor hole, or the crossmemeber won't fit. Drop trans and re-cut hole as necessary.

•Step 6
Put on flywheel, clutch, bell housing, TO bearing, and trans. This is a very tight fit, much maneuvering will need to be done. Once fitted in, and everything seems good, put on trans mount and crossmember. Bolt crossmember in place and lower jack. Reinstall starter.

•Step 7
Transfer ebrake stuff to new crossmember and adjust. Install driveline. Make sure all bolts are torqued to spec, check everything, double check everything. Tighty up underneath.

•Step 8
Install shifter boot, shifter, and shift ball. Adjust free travel

•Step 9
Start up and listen for odd noises. if all is set, drive off into the sunset


If there are any issues with this, go ahead and edit or add to it in the comments

 

[bmbm40]

Good info for all. How is it working out for you?

 

[StarDiero75]

Good info for all. How is it working out for you?

Beautiful. Having a 2.8 rear, the 4cyl WC T5 helps a lot. Its got a 4.03 1st and .81 5th. I cruise at almost 2000 rpms at 70mph. I haven't even noticed the gas gauge move yet lol. I used to think of changing the rear out to a 3.25 but i might keep it. I got some performance mods like a 2V 1980 head and better cam, and dual headers planned. So i think for the little more performance I want from it, those things will do it for me, rather needing to change the rear gear.

Plus, I've had issues with this car shuddering into gear for almost 3 years with the old toploader and crappy clutches. This one takes off so nicely without any issues whatsoever. Best mod I've done yet.

 

[bmbm40]

Cool it seems the ratios work fine with your 2.8 and yeah low rpm cruising on the freeway is a vast improvement! Head, cam and headers should give you quite a boost and compliment the T5. Nice setup for performance.

 

[StarDiero75]

Cool it seems the ratios work fine with your 2.8 and yeah low rpm cruising on the freeway is a vast improvement! Head, cam and headers should give you quite a boost and compliment the T5. Nice setup for performance.

The ratios work well with it. I may end up going with a 3.00 or 3.25 just to make the gears not so long and drop so low when shifting. But I'll decide that after the head and cam. I'm aiming for more low end torque so maybe the 2.8 will be perfect for what I plan to add.