The_Dude

I just purchased a new World Class T-5 and plan on installing it in my '69 convertible, which currently has a 3-speed manual. I want to use the stock clutch and bell housing. From what I've read, I need a spacer plate, cross-member, transmission mount, and a shifter. Will my driveline fit without modification? Anything else I'm missing?

putz54143

i shortened my drive shaft one inch

TexasAxMan

It's cheaper to use the T-5 bell. All you need to do is move the release arm pivot from the old one to the T-5 bell using a small spacer block.

I didn't have to shorten the driveshaft on my '66.

The_Dude

Really? It seems like purchasing a new bell housing would be more expensive than just buying the spacer. I'll check that out though. It's certainly not much more work.

The_Dude

Looking at the Modern Driveline catalog, it looks like I'd need the bell housing ($195), and block plate ($38), or I could just buy a spacer plate for $160. I guess if I could find some used parts, it would reduce the cost significantly.

jp1967stang

That bellhousing is easy to find used and cheap. I pay about 20 dollars for them any fox body t5 mustang 302 bell will work. Same with the block plate.

The_Dude

I dug around on my local craigslist and wrecking yard site. Nothing. Everything on ebay looked pretty spendy or in terrible shape. Is there any advantage (besides cost) to using a T-5 bell housing over using the adapter plate?

MustangFTW

Adding more connections is never very good, I guess I would say the t5 bellhousong is "cleaner" and might be a stronger/more stable.

jp1967stang

Im not sure wouldnt think so. Might want to check if you can use a cable clutch with the bellhousing u have since alot of people do a cable clutch and u might want to latter.

2+2GT

I've seen, and driven, a bunch of these and the adapter plate doesn't seem to be a problem. The adapter block for the T5 bell doesn't seem to be a problem, either.

Not long ago I did some work on a 65 with a T5 in it, and afterward I drove it hard, to make sure it'd be OK for the owner. I'm glad I did, on the test drive he beat that car without mercy. It held up fine.