>>>>>>When you say 1/2" are you talking about the 5 lug nuts or the tie-rod end? 5 lug tells me that it does not have the original 6 cyl spindles which is good, but if the thread end of the tie-rods are 1/2" than the steering is still 6 cyl and you will need a 6 cyl tie-rod ends <<<<<
OK Day, I think I get the picture and maybe the original poster does too. So, it's the thread end that determines if it is V8 components or I6. So, the I6 is 1/2". What is the V8?

 

The nut on the tie rod end that goes to the spindle on a six cylinder front end is a 3/8-16 thread, Ford p/n 34030-S.
The nut that goes to the tie rod end that goes to the spindle on a V-8 front end is a 7/16-20 thread, Ford p/n 378361-S8.
Now I can't tell you the taper, but based on the retainers, there is a bunch of difference.
Jim

 

Are you asking me why did I run 6 cyl linkage in my car? Well it is like this, (the long story) my car came from the factory with a 170 I6, with manual steering, a 3 speed and thats all NO other extras to speak of and the only redeeming factor was a strate body and that it was a 64.5. So I decided to upgrade Everything. I bought a 65 Mustang parts car with all the trimmings, 289, pony interior, power steering, but it had been rolled and the chassis was so rusted out and twisted that the car had no future other than parts. I parted out the car and I rebuilt and installed the 8" rear end, the V8 spindles and the 289. New springs, and shocks were installed all the way around and a toploader was purchased and installed. I chose not to install the V8 steering parts because they were power and I wanted the car to stay manual, and I new that I would upgrading to R&P eventually so the I6 pars were temporary. Sense the V8 and I6 spindles have different geometry I did have some bump-steer issues so that is why I did so much research on bump-steer and was able to write my bump-steer/alignment/ handling web page (IMHO a must read for all early classic Mustang owners). Fast forward to the future... The car now has a T5, R&P steering, Granada discs, and the 8" is soon to be replaced with a Jaguar IRS unit, so there are NO longer any I6 parts and other than the 289, there will be NONE of the original V8 parts either. Ok maybe I said more than was asked for a simple why question

64.5-66 I6 tie rod ends have 1/2" threads both manual and power steering
64.5-66 V8 tie rod ends have 5/8" threads on both sides IF the car has manual steering
64.5-66 V8 tie rod ends have 5/8" threads on the passengers side and 11/16" threads on the drivers side IF the car has power steering

I am absolutly sure of the 1/2" diamiter on the I6 and 99% sure of the measurements on the V8 parts. I know for a fact the manual V8 tie rod ends are the same thread size on both sides and that size is also the same on one of the sides on a power steering car. I also know for certan that the other side tie rod, on a power steering car, is 1/16 bigger. The only thing I am not absolutly positive is weather the V8 parts thread sizes start at 5/8" or a size little bigger. I am 99% sure it was 5/8"

 

You are absolutely correct about the nuts and "a bunch of differences". The 64.5-66 I6 cars had smaller brakes, lighter springs, smaller bearings, smaller tie-rod ends (thread size), smaller tie rod end nuts, a strait drag link, a smaller idler arm, different pitman arm, a smaller idler arm bracket, and different steering geometry. In short EVERYTHING is different except the hole size on the steering arm of the spindles, the tapered part of the shank on the tie rods, and the mounting location for the idler bracket. Also The V8 and I6 cars had the same upper and lower control arms and ball joints just to throw in that info

 

I used the '1964 1/2 -1965 Mustang Chassis Assembly Manual' pages 40 and 42 (with pages 41 and 43 used for the power steering option) published by Jim Osborn Reproductions from Ford assembly line instructions for reference.But what does Ford know?
Jim

 

I don't understand what you are saying? I am not arguing with you. Yes the nuts are different like I said in post #s 7, 19, & 24 "EVERYTHING is different EXCEPT the hole size on the steering arm of the spindles, the tapered part of the shank on the tie rods, and the mounting location for the idler bracket." That doesn't change the fact that the V8 spindles will bolt up just fine with 6 cyl linkage. Like I said I did it. I have a friend in TX who has 6 cyl linkage in here 6 cyl car, but she upgraded to an 8" rear end and V8 spindles for the 5 bolt pattern and bigger brakes, they bolted right up. Also the tapered sleeves MustangSteve sells to adapt 64.5-66 tie rods to Granada spindles are the same for both I6 and V8 cars.

 

Its been a while since anyone has posted to this thread but i thought i would give it a shot.

I have a 1965 Mustang FB base model I6. I have upgraded my front end with a Street or Track coil over system, new big spindles and disc brakes. The new outer tie rod end that comes with the kit has a stud that is 11/16-18 and the stock inner end (which fits the stock idler arm) is 1/2-20. Is there a tie rod adjusting sleeve that has RH 1/2-20 on one end and LH 11/16-18 on the other where I have circled? Or is there an inner tie rod end that has a 11/16-18 stud and the correct ball joint taper stud?