Info on T-5 convervsions for 64 fairlane

I want to put a T-5 into my 64 fairlane. Does anyone know where I can find some intfo on parts and kits???

Thanks

Rob

I did a T-5 conversion in my '67 at the beginning of the summer. It is one of the easiest driveline changes you could possible make to a car. This article by our friends here at FORD MUSCLE was incredibly helpful to me. I used to have a few other websites also, but they are saved to my favorites on a different computer 600 miles away . That article will basically tell you everything you need to know. In a nutshell, If your car was originally a 3 or 4 speed stick car, switching it out is just as easy as replacing a clutch. You will need to fabricate a new crossmember however. Also, there is a chance you will need to shorten your driveshaft: luckily I didn't. You could also opt to go with a hydraulic clutch setup, eliminating the z-bar, but I dont know if it warrants the $300+ kits. With my original z-bar and linkage combined with a diaphram clutch, the pedal is easier to push than most new cars I have driven. If you need help purchasing a used transmission and figuring out if you getting a v-8 one, this article was also of great help. Hopefully this will help to point you in the right direction. If you car was originally an auto (like mine) you may have trouble finding the pedal setup and everything else, but I have to say it was probably one of the best things I've done to the car so far. Infact 2 weeks ago I drove the thing from my home in upstate NY 600 miles to Michigan. After cruising 70-75, sometimes faster, It never even saw above 2000 rpm in 5th with 3.00 gears. At 70 it held roughly 1600 the whole way, getting roughly 20 mpg with a 331 stroker motor. Its well worth the trouble. If you have any questions about the swap on some things that the article may leave out, feel free to ask me through pm or whatever, chances are I will be able to help

Will

Thanks for the infor my car was an automatic so I need to find the pedals. Do they make a cable for the clutch?? My car has 4.56 gears so I hope this helps out on the freeway.

I know some company makes them for early mustang conversions, not so sure on the fairlanes though, or if a mustang would work? Although everyone that I have talked to said to stay way from the cable clutch conversion setup. I don't remember the reasons why, but noboby recommended it. As for the 4.56s, wow, thats a pretty low gear. First gear in the t-5s is a very short first gear (there are 2.95 and 3.35 1st gear ratios in the t-5s). I have the 3.35, and with my 3.00's, first gear is very short, the shift to second comes in very fast so I can't imagine what it would be like with 4.56s. I would recommend changing them. From what I've been told 3.73s work wonderfully with a t-5, and offer a great combo of power and a nice hwy cruising rpm.

Dark horse is one source
ask for Fred, he;s very helpful
If you go over to fairlane club of America site there is a whole thread on the swap you want to do
If your not a member of Fairlane club, you should join just for all the great info in the club magazine, parts for sale,etc

I talked to Fred this weekend at the Portland, OR Swap Meet and he is going to hook me up!!! Thanks!

Rob

So, what will Dark Horse be hooking you up with? I tried to call them about the parts for a swap into a 64. And haven't heard back from them.

What parts do they have? Crossmembers, cable?

Thanks

I think I will buy the clutch cabke kit, cross member and TD hood for now. I am going to buy a fat man kit for the front. That's the big purchase for the year.

I wanted to do the same thing. I talked to some local 5.0 guys since I saw T5's for sale on their web site. Many were selling them since they would not hold up to higher horse power. It could be a good swap but if you have a big motor in mind you may want to spend a little more for a tougher trans. Ultimately I want to go US Gear or Gear Vendors over drive. Even the US Gear is over $1600 but I started to figure I would spend close to that and I would not break it.