Automatic To 5 Speed Conversion 1955 Tbird

Automatic To 5 Speed Conversion 1955 Tbird

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By petew - 13 Years Ago

How much (if any) modification was necessary the the X member under the car to accomidate a t-5 transmission ?

Also does anyone know where I might find a dust cover for the bottom of the stock bellhousing and the adjustment rod that goes between the clutch fork and the z bar ? Is that adjustment rod Tbird specific ?

Pete

By NoShortcuts - 13 Years Ago

The '49-'59 Ford Car Text Catalog shows the 'clutch pedal release rod' (I wouldn't call it that!) #7521 as being the same part number for passenger cars ['55-'58] and 'Birds ['55-'57]. The part description says, "7 3/4" long-3/8"-24 thread one end".

Hope this helps you in locating the right one! Smile

By Rono - 13 Years Ago

I have seen the dust covers on Ebay from time to time. There may be one on there now. I don't know about the T-Bird chassis and the automatic trans cross member, but on my 56 car, we had to make a new trans mount which was about 2" further back from the original (standard) trans mount. Also couldn't use original driveshaft, but maybe you will get lucky with that BigGrin

Rono.

By petew - 13 Years Ago

Rono (2/14/2012)

Rono.

Not right now on Ebay that I could see. Also not worried about the trans rear mount but the X frame which is part of the actual car frame. I know with an AOD swap they usually need a little modification

By petew - 13 Years Ago

petew (2/14/2012)

Been tracking down the parts necessary for the trans conversion in my 55 Tbird. Got most of them through Gary Burnette ( real nice guy) but am still looking for a couple of items, also a question regarding the install for those that have done it.

How much (if any) modification was necessary the the X member under the car to accomidate a t-5 transmission ?

Also does anyone know where I might find a dust cover for the bottom of the stock bellhousing and the adjustment rod that goes between the clutch fork and the z bar ? Is that adjustment rod Tbird specific ?

Pete

That is helpful ,thanks. Gives me an idea of what to look for.

By Oldmics - 13 Years Ago

NoShortcuts (2/14/2012)

The "Blue Bible" is not 100% correct in this listing.

There are two different length rods.My books are not availiable to be since I am on vacation but the other rod is about an inch longer.

The rod length is also dependent upon the size of the throw out bearing.Both rods will work BUT you may need to lengthen the shorter rod with a coupling nut.

That rod really should be the easy part-finding out about the crossmember is a biggie. I also just went ahead and fabbed a crossmember for my 4 speed trans.

Good luck,Oldmics

By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago

Pete:

A long time ago I read about an engine/trans swap into a little Bird. The mount on the trans was farther back than the Bird one. so they took the removeable crossmmeber out of the Bird and cut a piece out of the center of it, welded it back together, redrilled the mount holes, and redrilled the holes in the frame to bolt the shortened crossmember back into the frame. Maybe something like that would work in your case if the mount doesn't line up. The shortened 'member could be raised or lowered in the frame to adjust the height of the trans.

By NoShortcuts - 13 Years Ago

Pete, Oldmics is right. I held out on you. The 'Blue Bible' does list another 'clutch pedal release rod'.

HOWEVER, it is listed for '54 and '55 passenger cars and the '55 'Bird only. Soooo.... apparently it was used for some '55 'Birds... -I suspect the early ones. Per the parts book description, it was 8 1/2 inches long. -There is no indication of what the rod diameter or thread was on this one.

Personally, I'd look for the one I mentioned previously. Oldmics info. regarding throw-out bearing differences is interesting.

Thanks for keeping me honest, Oldmics... Smile

By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago

Pete,

I have put together most of the parts for Mummert's 5spd conversion on the 57 Tbird. Still need to purchase Mummert's kit, clutch kit and the T5 trans. Not sure of what clutch rod I have but it is 8 3/4 inches long. I also have some extra clutch pedal parts. I had to stop the project due to medical treatments that have me on the couch most days. I expect to be through by the end of June so I will be very interested to see how your installation goes. I like the idea of removing the stock trans crossmember and fabricating another piece to take its place. Trying keep as much original as possible. Please keep posting your progress.

Thanks,

Mark

By petew - 13 Years Ago

MarkMontereyBay (2/14/2012)

Mark, sorry to hear about your illness and I wish you a speedy recovery. I too will be buying Mummerts kit for my conversion.

I used his kit to put a t-5 in my 56 Merc and it worked great. He does nice work and his parts are high quality.

I will most likely put my bird on the lift and stare at the underside until I come up with the least invasive way to perform the conversion.

I will keep you posted but may not get started much before you. I am gathering parts right now as you have done already.

By NoShortcuts - 13 Years Ago

Hi, Mark and Pete.

Mark, sorry to hear that you've been sidelined! Had a friend who may have had similar treatments last year and he's doing GREAT now. I pray that things will work the same for you.

I'm also working through a T-5 installation in a 'Bird. In gathering 'stuff', I've done some thinking that might be of interest to you both. Again, it may depend on how you plan to use your vehicles. As you likely know, all T-5s are NOT the same. Because I am trying to do something for the street, I was drawn to Modern Driveline because in addition to the standard TREMEC T-5Z 5th gear overdrive ratio, they offer two other options that they will install. Below is a synopsis of my thinking:

•   Vehicle weight: ~3,371 lbs. ('57 'Bird)

•   Rear axle ratio: 3.56:1 (factory ratio for the '57 'C' 'Bird with the 292 engine and 3 speed trans.)

•   Transmission: Tremec T-5Z

(this is an aftermarket replacement unit for ’79-’93 Mustang 5.0; I had Modern Driveline change the standard TREMEC 5th gear ratio from 0.63 to 0.73; Tremec rates the trans. as able to handle 330 ft. lbs. of torque

•   Pressure plate/ clutch: 11 inch diaphragm type pressure plate and 11 inch clutch disc from John Mummert

•   Flywheel: stock Ford steel unit, 30+ pounds (I felt the stock weight unit would be best for my intended street and road use)

Transmission Info. & Comparison to O.E.M.

T-5z ratios will be as below ......................................’57 ‘Bird w/ O.E.M. T-85 OD

w/ 3.56:1 rear gears: ....................................................and O.E.M. 3.70:1 rear gears:

•   2.95 1st gear; 10.50 final drive ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.49 1st gear; 9.21 fdr

•   1.94 2nd gear; 6.91 final drive ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.59 2nd gear; 5.88 fdr

•   1.34 3rd gear; 4.77 final drive ratio

•   1.00 4th gear; 3.56 final drive ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 3rd gear; 3.70 fdr

•   0.73 5th gear; 2.60 final drive ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.72 overdrive; 2.66 fdr

By carl - 13 Years Ago

Pete I have the clutch rod you need,also have the flywheel cover but it is really rusted out,might make a pattern Carl

By petew - 13 Years Ago

carl (2/15/2012)

Pete I have the clutch rod you need,also have the flywheel cover but it is really rusted out,might make a pattern Carl

Carl, I sent you an email.

Pete