A little drama 5-speed

[ThunderStruck]

I know it's been kicked around some, so here I go.
I have a low mile Thunderbird 3.8 SC 5-speed trans and 11" clutch that I want to install on my 5.0.
I know I will need 164 tooth late model flywheel 50oz balancer, clutch cable conversion, release/throughout, pilot bearing
This is going into a 1979 Hatchback V-8. What else might I encounter with this upgrade?
Thanks
Ed

[gmatt]

trans mount? speedometer? How does the shift lever placement compare to the stock set-up?

[Haystack]

Might as well just throw a sn-95 t-5 out of a v-6. It bolts in place, is cheap and readily available.

The shifter is setup for a truck, literally. How the truck shifter relates to a t-5, I don't know. I'd checkout t-5 swaps on supercoupe and see where they end up, should give ya a good idea.

When I used an 11" setup, I used f-150 stuff, clutch pressure plate flywheel and everything. The m5od trans used a hydraulic clutch. The only fox hydraulic clutch pedal setup I know of is the 87-88 turbo coupe. Not sure how different the dash is on the early cars though.

[AJ1398]

I don't know much about this swap, but it looks like a lot of work and problems to overcome.

The T-5 uses a slip yoke. Does that trans? If it doesn't, a solid drive shaft will not work.
That trans looks like it use an electric signal for the speedometer. Your Stang uses a cable driven speedometer.
You would be best off to find a hydraulic master kit for a Fox Body and make a custom line for the slave cylinder.
That trans looks much longer that the T-5, and shifter placement might be a consideration.
Does the 3.8 have the same bell housing pattern as a 302?
Fabricating a cross member will be a concern.

This is stuff just at first glance. The swap will be a lot of work, and in the long run you might be better off looking at other options.

[BMW Rider]

The 79 engine will be a 28 oz balance so you can't use the 50 oz parts on it. You will have to find a later engine that is a 50 oz balance if that is the only flywheel that is compatible to the transmission. Mixing the two will result in destructive vibrations.

[KevinVarnes]

When you find out let me know. I have three or four of these transmissions and one will eventually end up in my wagon. I've started collecting the hydraulic clutch pedal parts from a TC. I haven't checked out the difference between the SC clutch master and the TC clutch master bore sizes and pedal stroke. I do have a set of SC clutch pedals with the clutch master in my garage if you need any info from that.

Everybody says the shifter will be too far back for a Fox. I swear I've measured it on my car several times and it looks like it would be almost perfect. The centerline of the shifter is about 30-1/2" inches back from the front face of the bellhousing. I need to crawl under there and get some better measurements though.

You will find that nobody has any love for this transmission, but they are pretty stout. There is a reason they used this behind the torquey SC engine in the heavier MN12 chassis rather than the T-5. Most everyone knocks it because of its truck heritage. The transmissions in my '95 SC and '89 XR7 have always shifted well.

I do not know about the SBF and V6 flywheel issues. I don't see why there would be an issue running the proper flywheel for the engine application though. I run a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch in the Cougar and a Centerforce Gold in the SC. I don't think they (Centerforce) makes a clutch for the later model cars anymore. I've been happy with both.

The 3.8 does have the same bellhousing pattern as the SBF. It does use a VSS to feed the speedo so you will have to figure that out. It does use a slip yoke like the T-5, but you will probably have to alter the driveshaft length.

[ThunderStruck]

I have a worked 1987 5.0 engine ready to go.

[Haystack]

Its the same length and everything. Slip yoke same style clutch. Throw a 86ish 351w flywheel in for an f-150 and have at it.

[Haystack]

If the vss is geared instead of a magnetic pick up, the stock Speedo will swap right in.

[ThunderStruck]

Thanks Guys,
Today I got engine and trans unbolted, tomorrow I should know more...
Ed

[Haystack]

Good luck man, let us know how it goes.