t-5 transmission concern

[afreejack]

I'm having so much fun with the work I have been doing on my 66 mustang convertible:

After I had bought the car I realized that there were plenty of things that the guy before me had half-assed and it seems like every job I've done with it so far has cost me twice as much as I planned on.

When I bought the car, the previous owner told me that it was a 5.0 engine and 5 speed out of an 83 mustang. I'm in the middle of pulling the transmission out because the guy put in the wrong starter index plate when he changed out the engine and tranny. (after taking it out I saw that it was one for an automatic tranny, I have the correct plate coming). Now that I have the driveshaft, transmission, bellhousing, clutch/flywheel and starter (the previous owner had shimmed the starter with a u-bolt!!!!!), I'm looking at all of these parts I have staged on my back porch and figuring out what I need to buy.

When I checked the transmission tag, the serial number was 1352-238. After checking out some sites, I found that this transmission was originally built for a mustang 3.8 v6!!!!

After looking at the ratios, I saw that they were different than the ones for an 83 or 84 mustang, expecially the overdrive gear was lower. Does anyone know if it is possible to put in a different gearset with a taller 5th gear or would I need to get another tranny? if I have to get another tranny, is there any significant difference in the case length or shafts that would force me to make further modifications (and shell out even more money than it looks like I will already).

If I can just buy a different gearset, anyone know any good places with prices that won't kill me (after my wife gets the bill for this job)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rbohm]

the trans you have is what is known as a non world class T5, the V6 and V8 transmissions of that design have similar strength, just different gear ratios. if the trans is still working fine, why change it? unless you are going to build the engine to make a lot more power, you should have no issues. as for the od ratio, why worry about it either? you can change it with a gear set from another nwc T5 if you really feel you need to.check with any of the T5 rebuilders for parts.

 

[68stang351]

IIRC, the V6 Mustang T5 has a shorter input shaft than a fox body T5. So if you get a WC T5 try to get one from a 94-95 Mustang so your input shaft will be the correct length for your current bellhousing.. You can always use a fox body T5 with the fox body bellhousing and fork.

 

[zigmont]

T-5 Concerns

I'm having so much fun with the work I have been doing on my 66 mustang convertible:

After I had bought the car I realized that there were plenty of things that the guy before me had half-assed and it seems like every job I've done with it so far has cost me twice as much as I planned on.

When I bought the car, the previous owner told me that it was a 5.0 engine and 5 speed out of an 83 mustang. I'm in the middle of pulling the transmission out because the guy put in the wrong starter index plate when he changed out the engine and tranny. (after taking it out I saw that it was one for an automatic tranny, I have the correct plate coming). Now that I have the driveshaft, transmission, bellhousing, clutch/flywheel and starter (the previous owner had shimmed the starter with a u-bolt!!!!!), I'm looking at all of these parts I have staged on my back porch and figuring out what I need to buy.
When I checked the transmission tag, the serial number was 1352-238. After checking out some sites, I found that this transmission was originally built for a mustang 3.8 v6!!!!

After looking at the ratios, I saw that they were different than the ones for an 83 or 84 mustang, expecially the overdrive gear was lower. Does anyone know if it is possible to put in a different gearset with a taller 5th gear or would I need to get another tranny? if I have to get another tranny, is there any significant difference in the case length or shafts that would force me to make further modifications (and shell out even more money than it looks like I will already).

If I can just buy a different gearset, anyone know any good places with prices that won't kill me (after my wife gets the bill for this job)?

Thanks in advance.

Here is a link that will give you more information and may help you to decide what to do.

Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Transmission and Drivetrain: Borg Warner T5 Transmission data

 

[afreejack]

Looking up the transmission number (1352-238), the charts I've seen state that this is a WC transmission.

I did find a gear set with a .68 or a .52 (buyer chooses) OD ratio (according to the charts, the one I have is a .73 ratio) for about 400 bucks. Waiting on a response from the seller on what else I might need.

I guess now I should decide if I want to go ahead and change out the gears or just wait for another time. For now, I'm waiting on parts to put the new engine plate in and upgrade the clutch to a cable type.

Thanks for the help.

 

[rbohm]

IIRC, the V6 Mustang T5 has a shorter input shaft than a fox body T5. So if you get a WC T5 try to get one from a 94-95 Mustang so your input shaft will be the correct length for your current bellhousing.. You can always use a fox body T5 with the fox body bellhousing and fork.

not correct. the 94-95 T5 input shaft was longer both in the V8 and V6 transmissions, it is the 93 and earlier that all use the same length input shaft, including the V6 and inline four.

afreejack, you can tell the difference between the nwc and wc T5's by checking the countershaft bearing. if it is a tapered bearing then you have the wc T5.

 

[mustangmike50]

I'm in the process of swapping out my 4 speed tranny in my 83 mustang gt to a t-5 out of a 93 mustang do i need to change anything else out? starter isn't lining up so should i get a starter from a 93? also the index plate or spacer? any help out there bc I just dropped it off at the shop

 

[Pony66]

When you buy a starter for your T-5 you need to ask for a starter for an automatic. All the auto stores have the part numbers mixed. Its not your bell or block plate, just ask for an automatic starter and it will work perfect.

 

[67rcks]

in determining whether you have nwc or wc, or mix of these two (!) you have to look at the input shaft pilot bearing diameter too (besides the countershaft bearing). Input shafts are interchangeable between nwc and wc - nwc is somewhat weaker and cheaper. Raced and blown t5s are sometimes fixed like that.

 

[68stang351]

not correct. the 94-95 T5 input shaft was longer both in the V8 and V6 transmissions, it is the 93 and earlier that all use the same length input shaft, including the V6 and inline four.

afreejack, you can tell the difference between the nwc and wc T5's by checking the countershaft bearing. if it is a tapered bearing then you have the wc T5.

Thanks for the correction. I don't want to spread any wrong info, but I knew they were different lengths, I just got confused as to which one was longer.