Technical 63 Falcon Sprint t5 trans- how to

Recently picked up a clean and original (minus the trans) 1963.5 Falcon Sprint convertible. The car is has all original running gear 260 v8, rear etc but the 2 speed auto was swapped for a 3 speed manual in the 70s. My plan is to keep it all original but I would like to ditch the 3 speed for a t5. I would like to keep the shifter as close as possible to stock 4 speed location/ look. I know I need to use a t5 from an s-10, but has anyone else done a thoughtful t5 conversation? Any recommendations and guidance on the parts needed to do this conversation? Thanks for your insight!


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I don't think you want an S-10 Trans. I think you want the 85 and up WC Ford T-5
You want an 85 or later WC Ford T 5 https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/ford-mustang-t5-transmission
Then you want the adapter similar to this. https://www.cjponyparts.com/cpc-t-5...9iBREcaC6TZyBlpcp2ogJx96sjDgMGV4aAsHlEALw_wcB
Those CJ pony guys speak early small block Ford real well.
The S 10 trans works for us with 1939 or older Fords to put the shifter up closer to where the stock floor shift came out but will look like you stuck a truck trans in that Falcon. The Mustang trans will put the shifter back and just to the right of where the factory 4 speed should be give or take a couple of inches.

 

The 63 1/2 Falcon Sprint's are rare birds, if it we me I would look for a 4 speed top loader, the original shiftier's are available and the original transmission hump is also available. HRP

 

Don’t bother with the top loader, a t5 overdrive is one of the best things you’ll do. They actually did make a top loader 4 speed with a 4th over in the late 70s but they’re hard to find.
Looks like you have bucket seats so don’t bother with the s10 tailshaft it’s only necessary to get the shifter ahead of the bench seat.
Stay with a Mustang t5 otherwise you will have difficulty with the speedometer drive, as gm used electric speedo drives. I used a cable clutch when I did mine and added the pedal and cable quadrant from a 85 mustang, it takes a bit of fabricating and making a firewall reinforcement where the cable goes through. I fabricated my own rear cross member. If you’re still running a 260 it will be a 5 bolt bell housing which is going to add problems. I was lucky and found a complete 85 Mustang gt donor and used everything.

 

I have been able to adapt Mustang Steve's kits to Falcons.

You can roll-your-own, but you need to factor in the value of your time.

https://www.mustangsteve.com/product/clutch-cable-ck265

 

Where are you located? A whole bunch of us here are really good a locating parts, even ones hidden near you.

 

Just realize with a Mustang 5 speed, ( the one you should use ) the under floor brace is in the the way. I'd look for a 4 speed.

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You will love your T-5

As stated above go for the Ford New World T-5, but I would like to inject the 94-95 trans needs to have a 94-95 bellhousing and clutch - the transmission (bellhousing and input shaft) is 3/4 of an inch longer. Which might be a good thing for your conversion, but sourcing used parts aren't as easy as it was just a 2 year run. Make sure you get a V8 trans as the V6's are not created equal. There is kits available to move the shifter way forward if needed.

If you need to rebuild your T-5 there is endless info on the net, and a couple "must do" that will give you years of reliable service.

Nothing but Falcon love from me!

Regards

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1. http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Borg-Warner-T5-ID-Tags.htm
2. https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index.php
3. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/transmission-t5-tech-links.169265/

 

You can get an aftermarket floor brace that will clear it, for cheap.

Although, I did have a T5 in my 60, with no floor mods, but the shifter hole.

 

Done this already. Get a trans mount from modern driveline, An 86-93 V8 Mustang t5, the 5 bolt bell to T5 adapter. The S10 tail conversion is almost essential if the car has buckets and console. The S10 will put it up through the original 4 speed hole but more centered on the trans tunnel so the factory shifter hump is not really needed.

 

Thank you for all the great responses! I am glad I mentioned this and appreciate the insight and links. So just to confirm, there is no t5 combo that gets you in the original 4 speed location? The best near it but more towards the center of the hump? Trying to keep it as original looking as possible.

Thanks for the help!


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Right there. That is the set up I am looking for. Any pics of your finished work? Don’t go out of your way if it’s a hassle, just curious.


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Newoldfordguy- how did you handle your clutch connection? I have a butchered a/t assembly now. Figured I would grab a stock manual assembly and figure out the connection. I plan to use the 4speed look alike shifter from macs and the oem boot too. I know it won’t sneak by a falcon guy but I want it to look as original as possible like the old 4speed set up.


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Give these guy a call they can walk you through it and there stuff is priced right https://www.moderndriveline.com/

 

I did the clutch fork conversion in a T5 bellhousing with a fulcrum spacer and original fulcrum and clutch release lever. Seeing how you have a 260, you can just buy the adapter that bolts to the back of your original bellhousing and use all the stock 63 bell, clutch, fork, z-bar. The only thing to watch for is that on my dad's comet, the tranny got close to the floor but that was taken care of with a few blows from a rubber mallet. With the S10 tail conversion, it does put the shifter in the correct location and I used the original style round ring and boot with an original shifter stick that I welded a "hurst" style 2 bolt mount to the bottom of the stick. The tail conversion was not hard and modern driveline has everything to do the swap including the correct drive and driven gears for the speedo to work. They were great to work with.

 

On a 65 Mustang I used a pedal assembly from Mustang Steve. It worked well. I know there are similarities between Falcons and Mustangs but I am not sure about the pedal assembly. I also used the T-5 bellhousing from a Fox Mustang.

https://www.mustangsteve.com/product-category/65-66-cable-clutch-kits-and-parts/

 

I did it, same car as yours. Feel free to PM any questions.

You'll need an adapter plate to mate the bellhousing's bolt pattern to the T5 pattern, and this will also depend on which T5 you get (Chevy or Ford) pattern.
You can adapt a Chevy transmission output to your Ford driveshaft with a 27 spline 1310 yoke. Plan on shortening the driveshaft about 5/8", too, but don't do that until final assembly/measuring time.
As for transmissions, you should stay away from the S10 gearset (do the math with your 3.25 rear end), but if you find a cheap S10 trans with a manual speedometer port, you should buy it for the cases and then swap in different gearing.

 

No, there is not. T-5 is a single rail top shifted transmission.

The factory Ford transmission is a side shifted transmission.

Are you trying to fit some sort of console? The Falcon Sprint console was between the buckets, and did not surround the shifter.

There is no T5 that will get the for-aft position exactly right, but you can get a shifter base here: https://www.core-shifters.com/pages/shifters

From that, you can make an offset stick that puts the shifter out the correct offset to the driver's side. That's about as close as you will get.

Seriously, nobody is going to get in your car with a tape measure. It will look 98% factory stock. Only a highly-educated eye will spot the slight misplacement.

 

It is close enough to use it. I think I might even have an extra one.

 

If the clutch linkage is similar to the Fairlane, then the Z-bar is different between the five bolt and six bolt bellhousing engines, so get the right one.

 

There is one T5 that may fit in the stock hole, but you'll probably never find a Chevy Astro van T-5, which has a left offset shifter.

 

you have the "narrow" trans bolt pattern. there's adapters to put a t-5 on the 260, try mustang specialists, who may have a complete package. if you can find an s-10 tailhousing, it will work on any t-5. i'd use one from a ford for the better gear ratios. you also could use a toploader 4-speed, i've seen 'em with narrow bolt patterns and dual bolt patterns.

 

The T5 from the Astro has a left offset shifter, but that is NOT part of the transmission.

Aside from the extra lugs that are on the tail housing to hold the bracing for the shifter. Otherwise, the shifter is about 1-1/4" behind that of an S-10 T5.




S-10:


Mustang:

 

Or you could swap the engine for a six bolt 289. The car is already swapped from auto to manual, so it isn't all original anyhow.

 

Appreciate all of the responses! Actually drove the car on the highway for the first time yesterday and I am convinced to go to a five speed. The car is a blast to drive but is screaming on the highway. I had a daily 60's driver a few years back (F100 66 custom cab 390, t-10, 4:11 limited slip rear). My biggest complaint wasn't the 8 mpg but the truck screamed at 55 mph and I would not dare go faster than 65mph. I do not want to make that mistake with this car.

I have not pulled any serial numbers but do to the lack of a 1st gear synchronizer, I feel the trans is a 2.77 HED 3 speed. The bell housing is not original to the car so I suspect that was changed in the 70's when they swapped the trans. Regarding my feelings on placement of the shifter I am planning on buying a Mac's repo carpet and they come in auto and 4 speed versions. I thought if I can get it close to the 4 speed look I would just make it a look alike. Its not a big deal as I will just get the automatic carpet, use the 4speed t5 look alike handle and a repo boot.

My current thought (thanks to everyone's input!) Is:

1. Keep the current bell housing as it is for a 260 v8. The 260 to t5 bell is impossible to find aside from one company selling it for $700+.
2. Find a 2.77 adapter for a t5 like: https://www.moderndriveline.com/sho...0ci-w-2-77-3-speed-bellhousing-adapter-plate/
3. Go with the 83-93 Ford T-5 mustang tran.
4. I already have a nice s-10 tail already.
5. I have the s-10 drive shaft. get the set up in and have my local machine shop modify the drive shaft.
6. Use the trans mount from CJ pony etc.
7. Figure out clutch connection, speedometer cable connection etc.

Am I heading in the right direction?

 

Pulled out the s10 transmission today. Are the S10s off limits other than the tail shaft? I know it’s recommended to use the mustang trans for the preferred gearing, but is the bolt pattern or input shaft different that the s10 can not be used with the Ford engine? This is a non electronic speedometer cable and overall a nice trans from a running car. I have the entire drive shaft too. Measured where the shifter would come up in the hump and it’s perfect....just throwing it out before I starting hunting Craigslist for a mustang t5...


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That bellhousing adapter plate you linked to is to fit a 140(sic) or 170 six cylinder engine to a T5, not the one for your 260.

I think this is the correct one:

https://www.moderndriveline.com/sho...rly-narrow-pattern-bellhousing-adapter-plate/

 

Yea, saw that one but thought I needed the other because my 260 currently has a bellhousing that mates the 277 3 speed. My logic was that if I kept the current bellhousing (260 to 3speed) I would need the 3 speed adapter. It might be flawed logic though and I appreciate you questioning it.


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The S10 trans shares the ford tranny to bell bolt pattern if I remember correctly but other than that and some internal pieces that are shared across the board on t5's like syncros, sliders and counter shaft(I think) the ford V8 is much stronger and better gearset. I think the S10 has the chevy splined input shaft and output spline count is different. Not sure about my last quote as I always use a ford V8 T5 with S10 tail. I think you also have to change the driven gear on the mainshaft for the speedometer which modern driveline sells also.