97 Ford Ranger T5 bellhousing

I bought a rebuilt 97 Ford Ranger T5 for a good price with the plan of bolt it up to a ford 223 six. I was ignorant to the fact I needed a T5 with a removable bell housing. My question is, Can the bell housing be cut off the tranny and the transmission drilled and tapped to accept the 223 bell housing with out damaging the tranny? Has anyone tried this. I saw a video on Youtube of a fellow cutting a bell housing off a tranny(?) with a grinder with a cutoff wheel. Any help on this matter would be appreciated. I realize I can use a T5 with a removeable bell housing and it would be easier, but would like to use the one I have if possible. Thanks!

 

Get in touch with Mac Van Pelt.

 

Or flat ernie.

 

All T5's have removable bell housings. You don't have a T5. You have a M5R1.

Look like this?

 

Thanks guys! It appears I have an M5R1.

 

I may be mistaken, but I also believe that M5 is built by Mazda for Ford.