1952-59 Ford T5 Seat clearence

Hey guys I am getting ready to buy a t5 for my 302 that will eventually make it into my 53 victoria. Before i go an hand over the money for it. I was wondering if anyone has had any clearence issues with the shifter an bench seat.

 

My '53 has a flathead in front of a T5, so this may not apply perfectly. I spent a lot of time measuring stuff on various T5 versions and then mocking up shifters in order to arrive at the optimum stick position.

The S10 shifter was too far forward and would require a long shift lever. The longer the shift lever, the longer the throw between gears.

The Mustang T5 put the shifter virtually under the edge of the front seat; not good, either.

I found the best approach was to use an AstroVan main case which has the shifter about halfway between the S10's and the Mustang's shifters. It worked out perfectly. A basic S10 shifter mechanism bolts right to the AstroVan case.

AstroVan cases are scarce, but you can find one. Doing it that way, you can install any gear set you want inside the AstroVan case. I'm using a 2.95 gear set which is great with the 4.10 rear end.

I have lots of pictures if they would help.

 

i put a 302 and t5 in my 55 customline and used the lokar double bend shifter. worked perfectly and cleared the seat. my t5 came out of a 91 mustang gt

 

cool! thanks for the info. i was thinking it would be close. how did you guys do the clutch?

 

Hope this picture gets through. This is the shifter on the AstroVan main case of my T5 in my '53 Victoria. Cross your fingers.

 

"How did you guys do the clutch?"

I used my stock flywheel, stock pilot bearing, stock throwout bearing, stock pressure plate, stock linkage, and a new disk to match the splines on my T5's Ford input shaft. Everything works like a charm.

 

FlatHat that looks good! I am going to call around monday an see if i can find that astrovan case.

 

If you can't find one locally, try these guys. They built mine to my specifications. They ship all over the world.

Astro Performance
601 East Alfred Street
Tavares, Florida 32778
(866) 253-0019

 

okay cool! I will thanks!

 

They are absolutely super folks and helped me enormously throughout my entire installation process. I'm lucky enough to be ten minutes from them! Not only that, but they stand behind what they make and sell.