Someone else just today asked a simular question, but I'll add some info.

My T5 grinds and slams into 1st, 2nd and R. 3rd, 4th and 5th are not bad. I don't think it's the tranny however. The clutch is 'extremely hard'. Takes some effort to get it to the floorboard. The clutch grabs almost immediately off the floor too. I'm thinking it's not disenguageing 100%. It's going to a local shop next Wed. I'm thinking stretched or frayed clutch cable. The kid I bought it from also gave me a aluminum quadrant that he didin't install. I'm wondering if maybe he bought a 'kit' and just used the cable. Would one of these cables be longer than stock? Just thought I'd ask for some opinons. Thanks!

86' 5.0 T-5

 

There is a cable thats longer than stock. I forget what model it came originally on. Your problems may just be from the cable. Does the car have long tubes? The cable on mine was really stiff to pull thru the sheathing once I had it removed from the car. I figure the headers "melt" the sheathing. May want to try a new cable before taking it to a shop and spending big $$. The new cable cured my grinding inti 3rd & reverse problem.

 

I just took a look. Has the factory headers. The cable does look new! Even the mounting bracket looks new. It doesn't appear to be close enough to the headers to be causing a problem. At the closest point, the sheath looks normal (no signs of heat).

Now that I've seen it, definately thinking somethings amis with the cable. It being too long would account for the clutch not disengauging fully. There still is the 'VERY' stiff pedal however. Not sure about that.

 

i got an aftermarket adjustable clutch kit and installed it in my 88. if i remember right, the cable WAS longer, and it also had a threaded portion on the end where it met the clutch. i'd say that the aluminum quadrant needs to go in there, you're talking about the piece with the 2 or 3 hooks right?? if so, that needs to go under the dash, in place of the stock plastic piece. pm me if ya got questions on what i've stated good luck

EDIT :: also, my cable was very stiff when i first installed my new cable and the rest of the kit. i fixed this simply by rerouting the cable in the engine bay. it looks like it would have made it worse, but it feels great now, and has ever since. good luck again

 

this sounds like my problem, i have an 87 convt, if you replace the cable let me know how that works.

 

It's going to a shop where the mechanic is a long time fox body owner himself. I'll post the results after next Wed.

 

Problem found. Seems the stang had a bent clutch fork! I never considered this, but I guess it would explain the 'extremely hard pedal' and the clutch not fully disengaugeing.

I got taken though! 1st call from the mechanic said 'it's the pressure plate, and your throw out bearing don't look good either'. He said he should just replace the whole clutch from a 'kit'. Told me the 'kit' cost $190.00. Being as impatient as I am, I agreed if he could have it running by tonight. He called back and hour later and said the the clutch fork was bent and he couldn't get one until monday. Said it was $58.00 bucks! (I'm assuming at this point that the 'bent clutch fork' was the problem all along and the clutch was fine).

Anyhow, live and learn. I'm spending probably about $400.00 on a OEM clutch kit and a fork! I'm a dumbass. Could have had a Cobra clutch for that much! Oh well.

Just hope this helps someone else out. Hard to push in clutch, hard clutch, etc. ... have them check the fork. Just wish there were mechanic's in this world that would be honest.

Hope this helps someone!!!!!

 

This sounds similar to my problem. Except my clutch pedal is really soft. I have to jam it to the floor to shift. Now after Ive been driving for awhile it is extremely hard to put into 1st and shifting to 2nd and pretty much 3rd and 4th too. I dont think its engaging right. I have a king cobra clutch on the way, hope its not my tranny tho. Any thoughts? And my throwout bearing has been makin noise for awhile now, Im thinkin that might be part of it too.

 

I'd replace the clutch fork while you in there. Just don't pay 58.00 for a Ford one like I did (impatient). Now that I have a working clutch, I suspect my syncro's are gone. Still grinds in 2nd on a fast shift. At least it's driveable now though. New tranny is in the VERY near future.