musing a thought - 5 speed behind a 200?

Hi, my Fairmont has just arrived this week and I thought I was getting a 4 speed but its a 3 speed. (I bought via eBay...)

I wondered how much of a pain I'd be into if I got a T5, cross member drive shaft (and probably back axle) from a Mustang GT to convert to a 5 speed.

I know I might as well go all the way and install the V8 as well...

I was just thinking about a nice economy cruiser option

I know that the 6 uses 4 of the 6 Windsor bolts.

Is this just a bad call and I should save my efforts for the V8 swap?

The bolt pattern at the back of the bell housing is different for the t-5. Interestingly enough, many Tremec transmissions (non t-5) use the old pattern. If you wanted to use a t-5, you might have to get your bell holes filled, redrilled, and tapped. If you have a high starter, you will probably need to do that.

Important: A t-5 bell uses metric bolts. The bolts that you took out of your original bellhousing may work...once. If you find that you can use a t-5 bell, you need to get the proper metric bolts.

Hope ths helps. Keep us posted.

Later,
Mike.

Is there a 5 speed which would work better - be an easier install? See I'm thinking if bell housing work and all that (probably messing with the clutch) is needed its probably easier to drop in the V8 and 5 speed together...

have you tried the scrappies near lakenheath , mildenhal or molesworth, i cant remember the names of the yards, but i do remeber seeing the cars in them now & then.

Even though it would be overkill for a six, the Tremec 3550 used to use the old toploader pattern, which is the pattern that is on the back of the 6-cyl bellhousing. You'd want to check with a supplier to make sure that it's still the case, though. Just ask them if it requires a special bellhousing if you're replacing a t-5 with it. You should be able to get a Tremec 3550 used from a Mustang guy for pretty cheap, I'd think.

As far as the drive shaft and rear axle goes, I have used drive shafts from other cars that were automatics and 4-speeds, and they all worked just fine. A mustang drive shaft is too short by about 5 inches, though. Rear axle is okay.

What year is your car? If you have an 82 or 83, you should have the wide trans crossmember mounting, which makes your crossmemeber much more adjustable (just grind a couple of welds a little, slide, re-tack). If not, you'll probably be able to figure something out. I have an 80, and the t-5 went in right at the back of the slots on the crossmember.

You'll also want to fix the terrible hole in the floor. Ford cut them out with a torch, and I think they got the shakiest guy they could to cut it. I cut mine square with a die grinder, welded in a patch, and then cut a much smaller hole to match the trans.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.