1967 Mustang transmission options
02-07-2017, 08:50 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 82
1967 Mustang transmission options
Fellow Members,
I am trying to get a clear picture what transmission options are possible with a 1967 Mustang 289ci motor. I currently have the 3 speed auto and see a lot of discussion about the T5 manual. Any other options for auto or manual? Which would be the easiest for future replacement of the 3 Speed auto?
I am trying to get a clear picture what transmission options are possible with a 1967 Mustang 289ci motor. I currently have the 3 speed auto and see a lot of discussion about the T5 manual. Any other options for auto or manual? Which would be the easiest for future replacement of the 3 Speed auto?
02-07-2017, 11:41 PM
#4
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 5,896
Toploader is Ford's 4sp manual. They're extremely durable, but probably not what I'd recommend for you.
Late model Ford AOD transmissions are fairly common swaps and will get you an overdrive gear with minimal fuss.
If you really want to go to a manual, T5s are the common choice. They're easy to find, strong enough for most 289 builds, and provide an overdrive 5th for freeway driving. However, I've heard manual swaps can be a PITA when dealing with under-dash equipment.
Late model Ford AOD transmissions are fairly common swaps and will get you an overdrive gear with minimal fuss.
If you really want to go to a manual, T5s are the common choice. They're easy to find, strong enough for most 289 builds, and provide an overdrive 5th for freeway driving. However, I've heard manual swaps can be a PITA when dealing with under-dash equipment.
02-08-2017, 02:00 PM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: MT
Posts: 276
A 67 is not a difficult auto to manual swap. All the factory parts are available in reproduction form. I say toploader because it replicates the factory setup and are pretty indestructible. A T5 is good but then you travel down the restomod path. There are many weak T5's out there too. I have 2 that were behind 4 cylinder engines that would likely not last behind a 289. If you go the modern route, you can also go with a hydraulic clutch. Depends what you want the end project to look like.
02-09-2017, 05:33 AM
#6
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 82
A 67 is not a difficult auto to manual swap. All the factory parts are available in reproduction form. I say toploader because it replicates the factory setup and are pretty indestructible. A T5 is good but then you travel down the restomod path. There are many weak T5's out there too. I have 2 that were behind 4 cylinder engines that would likely not last behind a 289. If you go the modern route, you can also go with a hydraulic clutch. Depends what you want the end project to look like.
Can you recommend a good reputable source for the top loader?
Thanks
02-17-2017, 11:09 PM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 55
It depends on what you want. If I am building an actual "show" car I would want to keep it factory stock. If I am building a cruiser to have fun on a Saturday night and hit a few curbside car shows I would swap to a manual, just for the fun of driving. The toploader is a good option for some fun cruising.
What I did for my 1970 Mustang drag car, I went with a Ford C4 automatic, reverse manual valve body with trans brake, aftermarket planetary set and a 3200 stall converter. Basically turned the automatic into a manual, without the clutch. Launching from the light was more consistent. There was no clutch slippage, no loss of time off the line because of heat on the clutch. Rev it up and hit the button. The reverse pattern was great for a ratchet shifter, you didn't have to shift through all the gears to get to 1st to start.
What I did for my 1970 Mustang drag car, I went with a Ford C4 automatic, reverse manual valve body with trans brake, aftermarket planetary set and a 3200 stall converter. Basically turned the automatic into a manual, without the clutch. Launching from the light was more consistent. There was no clutch slippage, no loss of time off the line because of heat on the clutch. Rev it up and hit the button. The reverse pattern was great for a ratchet shifter, you didn't have to shift through all the gears to get to 1st to start.
02-18-2017, 08:21 AM
#9
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 82
It depends on what you want. If I am building an actual "show" car I would want to keep it factory stock. If I am building a cruiser to have fun on a Saturday night and hit a few curbside car shows I would swap to a manual, just for the fun of driving. The toploader is a good option for some fun cruising.
What I did for my 1970 Mustang drag car, I went with a Ford C4 automatic, reverse manual valve body with trans brake, aftermarket planetary set and a 3200 stall converter. Basically turned the automatic into a manual, without the clutch. Launching from the light was more consistent. There was no clutch slippage, no loss of time off the line because of heat on the clutch. Rev it up and hit the button. The reverse pattern was great for a ratchet shifter, you didn't have to shift through all the gears to get to 1st to start.
What I did for my 1970 Mustang drag car, I went with a Ford C4 automatic, reverse manual valve body with trans brake, aftermarket planetary set and a 3200 stall converter. Basically turned the automatic into a manual, without the clutch. Launching from the light was more consistent. There was no clutch slippage, no loss of time off the line because of heat on the clutch. Rev it up and hit the button. The reverse pattern was great for a ratchet shifter, you didn't have to shift through all the gears to get to 1st to start.
