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Anybody got hands on experience with T56 in an early Mustang?

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  • Anybody got hands on experience with T56 in an early Mustang?

    I have been doing a lot of research and it seems some can figure out a way to use a 4-speed bell housing some can't. Some need to cut the trans. tunnel and some don't. etc. I have a lot of questions and am just beginning my research so please let me know if you have any experience with this.
    www.dfwdirtriders.com

  • #2
    Good luck. Is the bell housing bigger than a t5? I know alot of people use the tremec tko's and such.

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    • #3
      I've personally seen one installed in a 67 and they did cut the tunnel. I think the guys that don't have it are at a pretty steep angle to clear.
      "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford

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      • #4
        I would plan to cut the tunnel. That is a BIG transmission, especially for a '65-66 car.
        When the government pays, the government controls.

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        • #5
          They fit in the 69's. √
          "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford

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          • #6
            Well it all depends how low you can get the motor. 65 motor mounts are lower than 66 and certain trans mounts cannsit closer to the ground. I would plan to cut the tunnel, no big deal.
            Putting warheads on foreheads since 2004

            Pro-Touring Build

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            • #7
              Some people use Convertible motor mounts or aftermarket mounts that drop the engine another 1/2". I do not want to do this because I have bottomed out before on my headers so that is not an option for me. I do not mind cutting my tunnel as I will need to atleast patch it anyway. The current shifter (v-gate 2 inline) I have on my 4 speed needed the tunnel cut and that will have to be repaired.

              I am mainly trying to figure out what other changes and parts I will need. I will need to do all my research and gather parts to do this all at once instead of dragging the project out over a few months piecing it together as I go.

              Main questions are:

              1. Can I make my current bellhousing work?
              2. Can I use the current Z-rod clutch setup?

              I know I will need the following:
              26 spline clutch
              shorter drive shaft
              New Crossmember and trans mount
              Shifter
              Various electric for speedo and reverse lockout solenoid

              Anything else? I am sure there is more.
              www.dfwdirtriders.com

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              • #8
                I assume that you'll be using the D&D Viper spec trans or a Camaro trans? I don't think it will work with the existing bell housing as it should be a much larger trans than you have. So look into hydraulic conversion and fitting your exhaust around it. What headers do you have?
                Putting warheads on foreheads since 2004

                Pro-Touring Build

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                • #9
                  after doing the cable conversion, I wouldnt mess with the z bar ever again.
                  "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford

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                  • #10
                    I'll be doing this sometime soon in a 66 fastback w/a 351c and cobra t56 (with D&D bellhousing)

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                    • #11
                      Mc Leod 8-204 adapter plate adapts early ford bell to T56. I can't find a real pic so I can't say if it is correct. But this would allow you to retain your bell and Z-bar assembly. I'd opt for a hydraulic setup in this case.

                      Or

                      This one will let you bolt a Muncie, T10, toploader or t5 to the t56. But it doesn't say if it uses the wide or narrow bolt pattern for the t10, Toploader. You could use the T5 bell and do the cable conversion.

                      This is a new billet steel T56 adaptor plate. Plate will allow you to remove a Muncie, T10, Saginaw or T5 transmission,



                      Here is one guys research if you haven't come across it yet.




                      Or just spend 500 on a bellhousing.

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                      • #12
                        Thanks for those links! I did come across the Vintage Mustang Forum last night but the Mcloed and gearbox are new to me.


                        I had budgeted about a 1000 to do a full T5 swap. After researching it, the initial T5 swap can be done for much less than that but I would need to spend 1500-2000 in the future on a Gforce or Astro T5 rebuild.

                        So I figured I might as well do it the right way the first time even if it means taking longer to gather all parts and a higher initial price.

                        Oviously I am trying to do it as inexpensive as possible. Since I already have a lakewood scattershield and Z bar clutch setup it would save a lot of money to keep them and adapt. That also allows me to easily go back to an old style transmission in the future if I ever wanted to.
                        Last edited by mustangguy289; 05-31-2012, 11:20 AM.
                        www.dfwdirtriders.com

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by dville_gt View Post
                          I'll be doing this sometime soon in a 66 fastback w/a 351c and cobra t56 (with D&D bellhousing)

                          If you are in Duncanville maybe we can get together and either help each other or shoot the shit on these conversions (I am in Ovilla not far from Dville). I am going to start gathering parts as I go and hope to have this done by Winter in my 65.
                          www.dfwdirtriders.com

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                          • #14
                            If anyone knows anybody who needs a toploader 4 speed with Centerforce Dual friction clutch and v-gate 2 shifter let me know. Selling that would definately speed the process up.
                            www.dfwdirtriders.com

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                            • #15
                              Be careful over at VMF, those guys are stuck in the past and to them stock is best.

                              I'd like to see how this turns out.
                              Putting warheads on foreheads since 2004

                              Pro-Touring Build

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