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Author Topic: T-5 Installation Woes  (Read 1722 times)

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Offline 80_2.3_ESS

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T-5 Installation Woes
« on: August 24, 2013, 04:32:55 PM »
Just finished installing a T-5 into my 1980 Pinto. All went well and drives great. Car originally was a 4-speed stick, so bolt in wasnt difficult.

Problem im having is that when I tried to put the center console thing back in, the piece that holds the heater controls. I have to jam it in to fit around the shifter. Once its in, I can put it in place and bolt it in, but it is resting against the shifter. The other issue is when I put it into 3rd, the shifter shaft smacks the tray. I dont have a boot on it yet either, so obviously that will make it worse.

To the people who ran into this issue like me, what did you do to fix it?

I was thinking about making a new piece out of sheet metal that would replace the tray thingy so that it would be flat down the front instead of protruding out so far.

My dad thinks the 2 vertical supports that the tray housing bolts to can be moved back. He says they are bolted to the floor and dash, and that you just have to unbolt it and drill new holes. Is this true?

Btw, thanks to all who helped answer my questions when I was researching the swap.
Nick in CT

1980 2.3L Pinto ESS

Offline Wittsend

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Re: T-5 Installation Woes
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2013, 10:58:14 PM »
I have carpet in my car so I can't comment on the mount at the tunnel, but I think it is welded, not bolted there. It is bolted at the dash. It seems logical that even if welded it can move back.

I used the Merkur console with my T-5. So, it kind of has an unfinished look.  I too was going to try and put the tray back in (relocating the heater controls there) since I recently scored an Amp, Fuel, Temp. Gage set that goes where the heater controls were.  So, please report back as I'm sure what you do will be helpful for me also.

Tom

Offline 80_2.3_ESS

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Re: T-5 Installation Woes
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2013, 11:02:17 AM »
Got it in last night. What a pain working under the dash.

The mount is held in by 2 bolts to the tunnel, and 2 to the underside of the dash. I slotted the bracket and was able to push it back about an inch.

The other thing you have to do is make notches in the top of the tray thingy. When you go to push the tray thing back, the top lip hits the 2 dash bolt heads. A little slice and ice, and I was able to move it back about an inch, leaving room for tge new boot and giving plenty of room for the shifter to hit 3rd.

While I had the heater controls out, I repainted the silver rectangles a matte grey. Looks really sharp. The knob thats on it is a stock mustang knob, as the new one I ordered will be delivered monday. The boot will be in mid week, so I should have it all buttoned up by the weekend.

Parts list I used was:
T-5 from early 90's 2.3 mustang
Ford racing 3 1/2 inch aluminum driveshaft for a fox-body
Southbend stage 3 endurance clutch
Bell-housing and clutch fork from 2.3 mustang
Stock clutch cable (car was a stick already)
MGW t-5 shifter

While I was under the car, I also swapped the 3.00's and open diff in the 8" rear end for a set of 3.55's and a currie posi unit. Much more pep and drives so nice.
Nick in CT

1980 2.3L Pinto ESS

Offline 80_2.3_ESS

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Re: T-5 Installation Woes
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2013, 11:04:10 AM »
Forgot to add, I have a bunch of pics on my phone, but they are too big to post as attachments. I'll resize them on my laptop and post them here. Maybe I'll take some better pics with my digital camera if I remember, but they will only be "as completed" pics. The cell pics are in-process pics.
Nick in CT

1980 2.3L Pinto ESS