I have an early 5 bolt motor that has been built. I acquired it from a friend and everything in it is top quality. forged pistons, crank, etc. The problem starts because i would like to attach a t56 to this motor. I found a possible solution but am unable to find an reviews on it. The item in question is an adapter plate which bolts to the motor making a 5 bolt engine a 6 bolt. It is found here. Ford 5 bolt 289 engine to small I've considered getting this and maybe welding it to the block. But my bigger concern is it requires using a spacer on the crank to push the flywheel out to the proper depth. Are my concerns justified or is this a viable solution for my problem? many thanks in advance, Chris.
5 bolt 289
- Thread starter santeechris
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woodsnake
15 Year Member
Moves the fly wheel, or the input shaft?
That kit looks lretty interesting, I'll be checking it out my self later.
Thanks for posting it!
That kit looks lretty interesting, I'll be checking it out my self later.
Thanks for posting it!
The kit uses a plate on the back of the motor. It attaches to the transmission holes on the 5 bolt motor, and provides new holes in the same location as 6 bolt motors. The plate is roughly ¼-½" thick (not entirely sure, but the bolts to attach it to the block are1" long). Since this puts the mounting surface of the transmission back ¼" the flywheel must be moved back as well. The spacer included is similar to a wheel spacer, and goes between the flywheel and crank. All parts are said to be precision machined, im just suprised i have never heard of this kit before and am wondering if its for good reason. The only real reviews i have found are on their kits for cars like model a's and the like, and owners tend to be happy with the kits with the only complaint being the cost of about 700 clams. 
Rusty67
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
I don't like it.... no sir, I don't like it.
I think you would be better off geting a blow proof bellhousing/scatter shield that will mount both to the block and provide correct input shaft depth for the trans.
Moving everything away from the motor is going to cause other problems. I don't know what year you car is, but you will provably need to modify the trans tunnel to get the T56 to fit in there. Moving the trans back further is going to mean you will likely need to modify the tunnel of the car more then you would have. Also, depending on the type of linkage you are going to use, you may end up too short on your linkage. If you are going hydrolic this wont be a problem.
I think you would be better off geting a blow proof bellhousing/scatter shield that will mount both to the block and provide correct input shaft depth for the trans.
Moving everything away from the motor is going to cause other problems. I don't know what year you car is, but you will provably need to modify the trans tunnel to get the T56 to fit in there. Moving the trans back further is going to mean you will likely need to modify the tunnel of the car more then you would have. Also, depending on the type of linkage you are going to use, you may end up too short on your linkage. If you are going hydrolic this wont be a problem.
You can use a stock 4 speed bell housing and linkage with a adaptor plate with a T5. For the T56 I think you are out of luck.
This company makes a kit for Chevy powered hot rods you may want to give them a look they may be able to help with the conversion. Weir Hot Rod Products
You may also want to contact Lakewood Lakewood :: Welcome!
This company makes a kit for Chevy powered hot rods you may want to give them a look they may be able to help with the conversion. Weir Hot Rod Products
You may also want to contact Lakewood Lakewood :: Welcome!
This essentially lets me get an sfi bellhousing on my block. It basically converts my block to a 6 bolt motor, the only difference's in dimensions being the ½" back. With it I'd have the availability to use any bellhousing for a 289. As for room I have plenty. With the heidts MII front end, and no cares as to how much I'll have to modify the tunnel i think I'll be good there. As for a custom bellhousing for my motor that will attach it to the T56 I've yet to get an answer from any of the manufacturers I've contacted, but that would be the optimum choice.
My concerns were more with the extension on the crank, but doing some research i found that it is capable of handling over 1000 horses. (and I'm not there anytime soon with a 289)
My concerns were more with the extension on the crank, but doing some research i found that it is capable of handling over 1000 horses. (and I'm not there anytime soon with a 289)
tos
Founding Member
I dont know the pattern on the t56 but Cjponyparts sells the adapter to fit the t5 to your bellhousing. It runs about 140 bucks for the plate.
i don't see any real problems with using this kit, other than the ones youalready know about, mainly being that you'll have to move the trans back a little farther and you know you're already going to have hack up the tunnel to get the t-56 in there anyway. i say go for it, can't see any reason to think it would be any worse than any of the block adaptors that people have been using since the 50's. a lot of people use block spacers like this in the 4x4 world to adapt chevy/ford/dodge trannies to toyota, isuzu, nissan, jeep and many other engines and they probably put a lot more abuse to them than you ever would with a fairly mild street car
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