2.3 owner from a few years ago, back to ask the agless question "5.0?"

[Distortion 5.0]

Well, I know it's been done to death, it was a daily thing when I was posting back in the day.
I went through 3 motors and two wiring systems, and my 87 lx mustang had the same result every time. It simply was not content to live as a 4-cyl, and would just die after a month or two of driving for one reason or another.

So, I parked it in the backyard and bought a 91 5.0 thunderbird. Well, for a year, she was a great car, then a wreck left her body un-fixable.

Now, I have my mustang completely gutted out, (and I mean COMPLETE) and I am ready to start taking the T-bird apart. I know that this isn't the standard swap, which is why I thought I would come back and see if anyone has done it this way. Plus the guys over on the 300zx forum are getting tired of me telling them this thing is going to stomp them when it's done.

Basically, the LX was an auto when I got it, I did a t-5 swap. Of course now it has no engine or transmission at all.
I am wanting to use the AOD that is in the T-bird for now, because I don't have a 5.0 T-5 and don't feel like getting mine rebuilt.
I know the basics, I need front springs, gotta change out the fuel system, electrical, no question. I'm kind of blurry on two main areas:
The Drive-shaft, and the motor mounts. Not sure to what degree I need to modify the mounts, and don't know if I need to modify one of my shafts, or get a different one.
If there's anything I've left out lemme know, if this needs to be moved to another section, thats cool too.
Any advice is much appreciated. Now that my mustang is own it's way back, I guess I am too

 

[Distortion 5.0]

Oh, almost forgot, PIX!

 

[Red_LX]

Not sure what you're asking about the motor mounts.

post-'89 Thunderbird motor mounts won't work no matter the type.

You just need 5.0 mustang mounts.

I know the driveshaft from a 5 speed 2.3L car will work with any other T5, but I have no idea about the ones from an automatic.

 

[Distortion 5.0]

Not sure what you're asking about the motor mounts.

post-'89 Thunderbird motor mounts won't work no matter the type.

You just need 5.0 mustang mounts.

I know the driveshaft from a 5 speed 2.3L car will work with any other T5, but I have no idea about the ones from an automatic.

Kewl. Well, thats half the battle. It's good to see you Red.

 

[Red_LX]

HAI!

Actually now that I think about it, I think the A4LD driveshaft won't work with any auto that bolts up to a 5.0.

 

[Distortion 5.0]

HAI!

Actually now that I think about it, I think the A4LD driveshaft won't work with any auto that bolts up to a 5.0.

Hmm, so where does that leave me? Custom driveshaft? I coud try swapping the input hub from the bird over to my manual shaft, but who knows if that would even work.

 

[Red_LX]

I'd say just find the right yoke for the AOD and swap it over. I dunno if the one from the Thunderbird would work with the Mustang's driveshaft or not.

 

[Distortion 5.0]

I'd say just find the right yoke for the AOD and swap it over. I dunno if the one from the Thunderbird would work with the Mustang's driveshaft or not.

Kewl kewl. I guess I will just have to see when I get the T-bird shaft out if it will be a good little boy and have the same U-joints. It's doubtful. I might just have to get a mustang AOD shaft from a junkyard for now.
At any rate, thanks for all the input!

*EDIT* I just checked out your bird, that thing is pretty sweet man!

 

[Red_LX]

Heh, thanks.

It needs paint & body work somethin' fierce. Previous owner had it repainted by a shoddy place and now the clearcoat is peeling. Sigh.

Anyway I don't know much about them thar late model Thunderbirds, but since they had the IRS rear they probably have a wacky driveshaft in there.

 

[Distortion 5.0]

Heh, thanks.

It needs paint & body work somethin' fierce. Previous owner had it repainted by a shoddy place and now the clearcoat is peeling. Sigh.

Anyway I don't know much about them thar late model Thunderbirds, but since they had the IRS rear they probably have a wacky driveshaft in there.

Ahh yes the IRS. If I had all the time in the world and unlimited funds I would try to bring that along too. I'm sure it would make for some interesting driving in this stang, especially considering the awesome Power/Weight I'm gonna have do to running it barebone.
But sigh, one of the reasons (not a big one, but one of them) this thing is dead is because the CV's are both broken. And I don't even want to think about how much custom fabrication it would require. From what I have seen of the driveshaft though, It seems fairly straight forward. I saw the tranny yoke today after I ripped out the console and un-bolted the shifter, and it looks like a normal auto-trans yoke. Maybe I will get lucky. My gut tells me I wont. Oh well, no matter. If I only have to get that one thing custom made (or just search high and low for the right part) then it wont be so bad. So far the rest of the project is going quite well. I hope to begin test fitting the wires tomorrow.

 

[4bangen]

you can snag an irs out of a later model cobra, and with minimal efort bolt it in. Just to let you know

 

[Distortion 5.0]

you can snag an irs out of a later model cobra, and with minimal efort bolt it in. Just to let you know

Ahh, thanks for the tip! That might happen sometime next year.

 

[kevinspann]

Stock Mustang 5.0L motor mounts should get the engine mounted just fine!

Do you have the driveshaft that was used in the T5 conversion? If so, thatll work just fine. You will need the "double hump" crossmember though. You may be able to find one in the JY under Lincoln Mark VIIs and LSCs

 

[Distortion 5.0]

Stock Mustang 5.0L motor mounts should get the engine mounted just fine!

Do you have the driveshaft that was used in the T5 conversion? If so, thatll work just fine. You will need the "double hump" crossmember though. You may be able to find one in the JY under Lincoln Mark VIIs and LSCs

The T-5 driveshaft will fit the AOD?

 

[Red_LX]

I don't think it will.

I'd say the people over in 5.0 tech could tell you whether or not that Thunderbird yoke will work on your Mustang driveshaft.

 

[Distortion 5.0]

I don't think it will.

I'd say the people over in 5.0 tech could tell you whether or not that Thunderbird yoke will work on your Mustang driveshaft.

I've been doing a little investigating on tccoa too. My motor is definitely a HO. 91-93 T-birds had them. I'm just going to get the motor mounts and drop her in like she is for now. I will change the valve cover gaskets and rear main seal while it's out. I'll run it to death stock then upgrade it when it has to come back out. It will surely be faster than it was in that mammoth T-bird and I'm sure much quicker than my currently misbehaving Z-car.

 

[rd]

You are basicly doing a 2.3 to 5.0 swap. There is a world of info out there, try a search on the 5.0 area, or just ask the questions there.