Hey some ???s about my \'73 coupe

Hey im new here. I have a '73 coupe with a 351 C 2V. Right now it has a 3 speed auto, and i would like to change to a manual, lets say a T5. What problems might i run into, and how hard is that to do. I have seen that many exhaust systems dont work with a manual clutch, is there anyway to work around that? Also i am rebuilding the engine, hopefully with a little higher compression, what is a safe, and smart compression to go with. To run regular gas with, and not have to worry about wrecking anything. Thanks a lot for the help, and hopefully somebody can give me a hand here.

Well to start with, the hardest part of your swap will be finding the clutch pedals and linkage.

The T-5 should hold up to a mild cleve.

We need to know what your plans are for the car before getting to specific.

Off the top of my head, I'd say build a 9.5:1 cleve with 2v heads, a mild cam (say a 265deh), xcellerator intake, 750 holley, and a nice set of headers would suit a moderate street car application.

Headers can be found to work with most combinations, Hedman has a cheap set that works with a manual tranny.

IF you really wanna have fun, swap in a stick AND a big block at the same time.

Give this a read

http://www.fordmuscle.com/phpBB/view...03&forum=2

and then this.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/phpBB/view...orum=2&212

This first is my car, the second is my buddies. Both were cleveland cars, now sporting 460s.
[addsig]

I have heard that finding a clutch pedal can be tough, but i think i have seen on somewhere, i think on summitracing.com.

About what you said is exactly what i had in mind with the car, rebuild, intake and carb, headers, and maybe a mild cam. I dont have the money to find a big block. And i have a lot of work on the car, not just the motor.

couple more ??s, where could one find a rebuilt T-5. and for how much roughly.

I was looking at a carb and intake combo at summitracing.com, it is a Weiand intake, with a 750 cfm Holley carb, for under $500. I have heard from a few people that holley are nothing but trouble, what have your experiences been.

Is there much or any benefit to boring out then engine if it doesnt need it?

Thanks again for all the help.

Holley carbs are great if you know how to tune them. Get a book that goes over the basic tuning procedures and you will be set. As for the clutch petal and linkage, the petals are hard to find but theyre out there on ebay. Some restoration places have started making clutch petals for early (65-66) mustangs which you might be able to adapt to your car.I suggest a hydralic linkage setup from mustangs plus, I hav it on my car and feel like a clutch out of a new sports car. Boring a motor (unless you go considerably bigger whick is impossible on most ford blocks because of thinwall casting) will not do that much if the motor does not need it.