B/W T5 5speed to 59a flathead

[Fortysomething]

Hello guys; I've a 40 Deluxe with a 59a flahead. I want to mount a B/W T5 5speed (world class) to it. The T5 is from a 302 Mustang. The sedan presently has the 3 speed column shift. What parts are required to do this conversion? Thanks for any help. C.

 

[The Art Doctor]

Lots of answers to your question over on The H.A.M.B. The search function is your friend.

 

[34fordy]

If you intend to keep the enclosed drive line the late V8COOPMAN on the Ford Barn has an intensive thread with all of the best advice. This is not an easy project. If you want to go to an open drive line Krylon on the Ford Barn has parts to make the change and would provide plenty of excellent advice. This would be an easier conversion IMHO.

 

[Ziggster]

I mounted a WC T5 from a Mustang to my C59A. I got a “hog’s head “ adapter, and another adapter from Modern Drive Line. I also had to have a collar machine to fit over the front bearing retainer snout to match the ID of the throw out bearing housing. Was not cheap for that piece. I’ll post up some pics as soon as I can find them.

 

[GB SISSON]

T5 from a mustang has the shifter pretty far back. Do you have bucket seats?Also has a different pattern to bellhousing, not all adapters work there. I think Krylon's bell adapter has both chev and ford patterns machined. I used a world class T5 from a '93 S10 (shifter much further forward), with a Ford hogshead and a very simple shop built 1" aluminum plate to switch bolt patterns. Perfect alignment was provided by a wring fit, sliding the Ford bearing retainer over the smaller S10 retainer. Plate counterbored for the base. There are reverse spiral grooves inside the ford retainer that need to be lightly honed for about 3/8" for that good fit. I am extremely happy with everything about the T5 swap.

 

[UpNorthGreg]

You can put an S-10 tail housing and top cover on the Mustang T-5 to move the shifter forward.

 

[Ziggster]

Some pics.

 

[Ziggster]

Installed.

 

[Ziggster]

Machined sleeve pressed into new front bearing retainer.

 

[Ziggster]

Also had to get a shorter input shaft as the one I had in my Mustang T5 was too long. Here a link to a thread I started on the HAMB. I should go back and update that thread as I later confirmed my T5 is not a 1993 or later, but either an 87 or 89., but I ‘ll need to confirm. I also rebuilt my T5 for the most part, but did have a local expert do the final assy of the main shaft. I have that detailed in my build thread on the HAMB and can post it if interceded.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/c59a-ford-flathead-ford-t5-1994.1267302/

 

[Ziggster]

Some better pics of the Modern Drive Line (MDL) adapter.

 

[alchemy]

You all are talking about the easy part. You haven’t even touched on the huge amount of cutting to the center of the X member. Maybe even require splitting the wishbone.

Guys see that hot rodders are doing the swap to a T5, but don’t realize all the rest of the fabrication work required. There is no “kit” for that.

 

[SoCalCoupe]

You all are talking about the easy part. You haven’t even touched on the huge amount of cutting to the center of the X member. Maybe even require splitting the wishbone.

Guys see that hot rodders are doing the swap to a T5, but don’t realize all the rest of the fabrication work required. There is no “kit” for that.

alchemy is absolutely right — there’s a lot more to it than just bolting in a T5. Once you get into the X-member, you’re talking about some real re-engineering. I’m a licensed mechanical engineer, and even for me, cutting the frame makes me cringe a bit. A lot of folks try to compensate with extra bracing, but most of what I’ve seen doesn’t restore the original rigidity. The structural principles aren’t always as intuitive as they look.


What’s your main goal — highway-friendly overdrive or the fun of rowing through five gears?


I really wanted the 5-speed in my '41 Business Coupe but ended up going with a Columbia 2-speed. It gave me great highway manners, was pre-engineered, and honestly, probably cost less in the end. I also feel a lot safer running 70 mph on the interstate with the Columbia setup than with a modified X-member and suspension.


That said, I love a well-done 5-speed conversion — I’m planning one for my ’62 Galaxie where the job is a lot more straightforward.

 

[glennpm]

Lots of interaction from the OP who didn't even do a search.

Do your homework! Don't expect someone else to answer your questions when there are other sources that you can learn from. They won't be there by your side when needed.
And it isn't always a Google answer that is best answer.