I've got a '53 Merc flathead currently running a '39 Ford 3 speed top loader in a '29 Roadster. Wanting to convert to T5 5speed. I've been reading all the threads and trying to figure out the best way to approach this. I have a lot of parts available and it's making my choice complicated. Here's what I have in the shop: '89 Ford T5 WC '92 GM S10 NWC '95 GM S10 WC (uses Ford bolt pattern) '89 GM S10 tail shaft Speedway motors GM NWC adaptor with the "thin 3" bell housing Ford T9 "hogs head" bell housing Ford flathead "thick" bell housing (wider housing from '50 flathead with 3 Spd) So, I could go: Ford T5 WC with GM tail shaft and hog head (or thick Ford bell) GM NWC with Speedway adaptor and 3" bell Would the '95 GM WC (with Ford bolt pattern) work with the hogs head? Input shaft issues? All my choices make me keep changing my mind. I appreciate some input from the T5 experts. What's my best way to go?
I did an S10 WC in our '32 with a 3.70 or thereabouts rear ratio. Only thing I would change is the rather steep 3.x first gear ratio... in a light car, you dont need the lower first.
The Ford T5 is probably the best bet all things being equal. It probably has a 2:95 first gear. I run one in my Studebaker V8 with no problem. I ran a Camaro WC in my '62 Cutl*** with no problem. The flathead will never break a T5. I guess the questions are, do you want a tail shifter of mid shifter from an S10. I run a Jeep 4x4 T5 in my Model A which is basically the same as the S10 4x4 and the shifter is similar to the Mid shifter of the RWD S10 and works perfectly as far as shifter location goes. Input shafts vary in length, but that can be changed and using a 9" clutch, you can use either Ford or Chev disk. By the way, S10 ratios came in either 3:50 or 2:95 and the 4x4 came as 4:10. Warren
Yeah the gear ratios in the GM's aren't great. But I am thinking I can just skip 1st gear and start in 2nd. I'd still have full synchro 3 speed with overdrive. Better than the top loader 3 Spd with crunch 1st Did you use the hog head adapter for the WC S10?
I don't know if you have seen this, but it is a handy chart, especially for ratios. https://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Borg-Warner-T5-ID-Tags.htm Warren
This is one of the go to T-5 sort out pages as far as gear ratios goes. https://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Borg-Warner-T5-ID-Tags.htm It's also good for helping to figure out what the T-5 left the factory in. As far as adapters, if you use the S 10 box see if Gary =Krylon 32 still has one of his kits available. Not as cheap as a lot but they work.
The Ford and NWC GM transmissions don't have tags on them and I have no idea what cars they came out of. I measured 1st and 5th gears and I think the Ford is 1st-3.4 and 5th-0.75. The NWC GM is probably 1st-3.7 and 5th-0.9. Not really that much different. The WC GM has a tag on it but I haven't been able to decode it yet. Still searching. I did some measurements and the Ford tail shaft won't work, too long. Going to need the S10 tail shaft no matter what box I use. I like the idea of the WC GM but not sure it would work. Plus, don't know ratios yet. May have to measure if I can't decode tag. Seems like the NWC GM with the Speedway adaptor might be the easy ****on. I plan on this being my winter project so I am just in planning stage at this point.
The '89 Ford T5 will have a 3.35/1.99/1.34/1.00/0.68 gear set. If you run a 3.50-ish ring & pinion 1st-3rd is pretty close to stock gearing overall, then you'll have 4th and overdrive. I have an '83-'84 NWC T5, which has the 2.95 ge****t, that I might use in my '32 Tudor. I'd like to find out if I can leave the main box as is and swap the needed components from an S10 on the back half. I know guys are putting NWC tail housings on WC Ford T5's. But I haven't seen GM tails housings on NWC Ford T5's.
Yes, I used a 1994 s10 t5 (wc/ford bolt pattern) behind my 8ba. Ford Bell housing and truck hogshead with a homemade 3/4" aluminum adapter plate. Also used a speedway clutch and input shaft adapter so I could keep the original ford throw out bearing. I may have had to trim the input shaft slightly but I don't recall. It works great with the stock linkage bolting right up since I used stock parts. I use a gps speedo so I didn't change the tail shaft housing for a cable on this truck but I have done it in the past and it's not a big deal.
I’m no T5 expert, but have an 89? Mustang T5 mated to my C59A. Had to have a custom sleeve machined for the bearing retainer (went with new cast iron one) to use with the Ford throw out bearing. No one makes that sleeve and it cost almost CAN$400. Also had to get a new/shorter input shaft. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/c59a-ford-flathead-ford-t5-1994.1267302/
Perfect! Just what I need to know. Now I'll have a look inside the GM WC T5 and go from there. Thanks so much
Thanks for that info. It looks like I might be better off with the GM T5 since it solves the shifter location issue and the input shaft adaptor is available from Speedway.
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