Author Topic: Changing out automatic for standard. (Read 3174 times)

mrlightrail · « **on:** August 01, 2012, 10:54:54 PM »

I am considering swapping out my C3 for a 4 speed standard. Any suggestions or stickies that I can use to guide myself on this project?

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D.R.Ball · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2012, 10:03:00 PM »

At first your going to need the pedal assembly , flywheel ,clutch set (thrown out bearing etc) engine plate (for the starter), gear shift knob boot etc, , clutch cable and wiring harness for the reverse switch at least.The drive shaft should not need changing however...All in all that's it out with the old and in with the new. Also cap the trans cooler lines going to the radiator.

ToniJ1960 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2012, 10:22:37 PM »

And later on maybe a different rear end ratio or a different speedometer? Do they both use the same mounts and speedometer cable?

Tercin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2012, 11:40:34 PM »

I changed mine it wasn't very difficult, you will need to gather up all the parts. It is a good weekend project if you have all the parts together.

Bigtimmay · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2012, 02:53:44 AM »

Quote from: tonij1960 on August 03, 2012, 10:22:37 PM

And later on maybe a different rear end ratio or a different speedometer? Do they both use the same mounts and speedometer cable?

Rear gears and speedo cable are fine and can be used with either trans. I do have one thing to ask though if your going to do the entire process of swapping in a manual why waste your time with a 4 speed just get a t5 out of a 87-93 4 cylinder mustang. So you get that extra gear and way better gearing for highway driving and also prolly increased mileage.

mrlightrail · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2012, 03:10:19 AM »

So, the holes should already be there for the clutch? the T5 conversion sounds good, but should I grab all the misc gear from the donor car? Also, will the shifter fit right in the auto hole?

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mrlightrail · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2012, 03:12:17 AM »

Also, I have the MPG wagon, so my rear gear ratio is already tweaked for mileage...want ing to see what I can squeeze out of the old girl. Getting 27 avg right now.

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Bigtimmay · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2012, 06:30:50 AM »

Quote from: mrlightrail on August 04, 2012, 03:10:19 AM

So, the holes should already be there for the clutch? the T5 conversion sounds good, but should I grab all the misc gear from the donor car? Also, will the shifter fit right in the auto hole?

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On my 78 bobcat the hole for the clutch cable was already in the firewall just had a rubber plug there.

Depending on what trans you use the original pinto 4 speeds should fit in the autos stock floor hole.

As for the T5 the shifter requires yah to cut the hole forward some for it to clear and some modifying of the crossmember for the mount to bolt up too.I had to weld a 4"x4" piece of plate steel to the backside of my crossmember and drill holes also. An with the mustang bell housing you have to either make a bracket to push the cable up a little or notch the crossmember so it doesn't rub.Since Your car had and original c3 like mine did ill just say you'll need a driveshaft too. Some info on that swap here http://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/t5-tranny-mount-pics-anyone-got-any-so-i-can-see-what-i-need/

If yah find a pinto as a donor car make sure it has the same brake setup as your car does so if yours has power brakes the donor will have to have those also cause the brake pedals are different between power and non power setups.I have heard the T9 out of the old Merkur Xr4ti cars is basically the same thing as the pinto 4 speed but with a OD 5th gear that might be an easier 5 speed to use if you can find one.I got a feeling most people that use the T5 even though its a bit of work to swap in do it cause they tend to be cheap and easy to find.Where I live I have only seen one pinto in the scrap yards and it was trashed and a auto.

I hope to pull about 25-28 mpg from my bobcat but mine will be with 3.73 rear gears and a 250hp turbo 2.3 so in my case a 5 speed was the only choice unless I wanna fork out good money for a 6 speed. LOL

Tercin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:27:20 AM »

The easiest swap is a factory 4 speed everything is bolt in with no fabrication required. I did go with a 74 and up clutch cable. those are still available at O'Reillys. I also had to buy new pedal pads, they are the same as a fox body Mustang, availability was not a problem there. You will need to get the part of the wiring harness that will bypass the neutral safety switch that is on the automatic, it plugs in where the harness goes down to your transmission. It has a square plug on one end and is right by the firewall near the steering shaft. Your drive shaft will work, I would suggest new u-joints since they are cheap and easy to install. It will change the car completely. Mine is no longer "extra slow" it is now just "slow" It was worth it and I am glad I did it.

Tercin

blink77 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:46:53 AM »

Where are you from? I just did this swap the other way this
winter on my 79. I probably have everything you need to do
this swap, if you were close.
Bill

Srt · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2012, 03:35:33 AM »

I did this to my Moms 1972 in 1973! It was a one day project and i used all stock parts. I had a stock (german) 4-speed, setup from flywheel to tailshaft as well as the new pedal assembly from a 4 speed car that was wrecked (i will not tell you how that happened!)

Moms car had a 3:18 rear gear in it and the 4 speed swap was a huge improvement.

I later swapped in a 3:40 rear gear to get it to work really good for around town driving.

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2012, 10:29:05 AM »

srt how was the car on the highway after you swapped in the 3.40 gears?
have a wagon with 3.18, and have a spare rear end with 3.40, just want to be able to go 70- 80 on the highway with out the motor screaming at high rpm, it rolls nice now with the 3.18 on the highway.
thanks for any input

eric

mrlightrail · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:57:49 PM »

I'm in Oklahoma.

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78cruisingwagon · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2012, 07:26:42 PM »

Actually there is a 5 speed that fits in with NO modifications at all. It's the T9 five speed used on Merkur's. They are hard to find, but they do exist. See if you can find one. It's a .81 overdrive. And the same first gear ratio as the four speed box.

mrlightrail · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2012, 12:01:13 AM »

Will I have to do anything to make the speedo cable work?

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Author Topic: Changing out automatic for standard. (Read 3174 times)

mrlightrail

Changing out automatic for standard.

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