I am getting a '69 Mach 1. The car has a 351 Windsor and it is automatic.

I want to convert to a manual transmission. What is the average labor on a job like this????

Also, which transmission would be best to put on this car, a 4 speed or a 5 speed?

 

Going from Auto to STD is easier that the other way around in my mind. First of all most Mach 1's came with C6 automatic transmission I beleive not FMX. The C6 is a great very ruggid Ford transmission so don't trash it as the tranny and tourque converter as they are worth some cash! For put the infamous Toploader 4 speed (aka Tremix T-170) in the Mach's and Bosses with the Hurst Cometition Plus shifter so unless you want to go modern equipment which I don;t suggest for a Mach 1 seeing only 77k were ever built. I would guess the labor is 10 to 30 hours depending on your skill but the cost is significant. The parts alone will run you over $2k ( and I am probably being modest in this assessment). The Toploader will cost you approx $500, Comp Plus shifter & linkage $300, Centerforce cluth kit $350. I would definitely go with a modern Centerforce pressure plate instead of the old difficult to push "three finger" pressure plate. This task is farily difficult and not for the mechanically unsavvy. If you still desire to move forward based on my time assessment and dollar assessement then:
You have to disassemble the dash to get at the Brake Pedal Pedastal Support Bracket. Remove the retaining clip, remove Automatic brake pedal and put smaller STD brake pedal as well as clutch pedal into Support Bracket. Non of the Mustang parts sellers sell the clutch pedal or brake pedal for this year ( at least I am not aware of any, most seel 65-66 but not later years) so you will have to go to / call an Arizona or other sourthern state junk yard to get these. You must purchase Upper Clutch Pedal Rod, Upper Clutch Pedal Firewall boot, Release Rod bushings, Equalizer Bar (also know as Clutch Z-bar with associated bushings), Equalizer Bar Mount (Engine Frame Rail under rag joint), Equalizer Bar Engine Pivot Ball (and associated clips, bushings and felt washer), Lower ClutchPedal Rod and retaining clip, Clutch Fork and Boot and of course clutch, throw out bearing and pressure plate and don't forget the Pilot Bushing. Also will require a Bell Housing Spacer plate. The buy the Competition plus shifter, linkage and back-up light switch. (BTW the linkage is very tight and very tricky, I just changed mine and it took quite some time and one small change which I can fill you in on later if you decide to tackle this large project.). Place Back-up light switch on Com Plus tranny and connect back up light harness. This will require a different back up light harness than existis for the automatic (i beleive this to be true but someone might chime in otherwise. I believe the STD has a loop in the harness for two of the ofur plugs that it coonect into at the engine side firewall. You then require to remove the existing automatic transmission cooling lines to the radiator bottom and terminate them with caps. (use the same Radiator) You should be able to remove the transmission from underneath without removing the engine. It is a lot easier to cahgne trannies around on the cellar flow rather than under the car. It is much easier to align the clutch pressure plate properly with the STD tranny shaft and pilot bushing. I think that is everything but I might have missed a thing or two. Now you can see it is a big project and very expensive!

 

For starters, small block 69/70 Machs got the FMX and big block cars got C6's. If you are going to go to the expense of swapping in a manual transmission I would go with a 5 speed. I have no idea how many hours this swap would take, I would consider doing it yourself. Here are some links to check out.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...transmissions/
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/07/clutchcable/
http://www.keislerauto.com/ford/tran...p#kit_contents
http://www.moderndriveline.com/