Transmission / Overdrive: New complete T5 Conversion kit available

[kramerdad1]

I've been trying to figure out how to obtain a complete conversion kit for my '62 4 speed Hawk so I dont have to experiment trying to get parts to fit. Phil Harris of Fairborn Studebaker (937-878-1576) has agreed to produce a complete conversion kit allowing those of us with GM ( Chev ) pattern bell housings to install a Ford T5 into our cars. Phil is engineering an adaptor plate to include in a new kit, just like the one he took over from Dan Gibb and is now selling for Ford pattern bell housings and at the same price ( about $435.00). This new kit will allow you to do a direct "bolt-in" without having to search for parts or machine parts. The kit comes with machined steel front bearing retainer, correct pilot bushing and machined throw-out bearing. He will also include the needed Ford 10 1/2" clutch disc if you desire. This kit, plus a Ford T5 output yoke, modified drive shaft ( probably will need to be shortened and the Ford T5 yoke installed ) , a speedometer cable with the correct speedo drive gear, (available custom built from venders on Ebay) and modifying the clutch mounting bracket to fit the T5 should be all you'll need to install a Ford T5 from any mid 80's to early 90's SBF into your car if you have dreaded the GM bolt pattern.

[ivorydan]

Dean, will the adaptor fit both non-world and world class T5s? Thanks. Dan

[JoeHall]

If Phil is doing it, you can count on it being exactly as described. If he cannot do something right, he doesn't do it all

[52-fan]

Why does the clutch mounting bracket get changed? I've never worked with a GM pattern arrangement.

[61Lark]

That's good news.

If you haven't read sbca96's thread about putting a 5 speed in an Avanti you should start there first. Even though it is an Avanti a lot of it should apply to Hawks as well.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?8204-Studebaker-Avanti-TKO-5-speed-install-how-to

[kramerdad1]

yes, Im very familiar with mustang T5's. the external dimensions and mounts are the same, the bearings and internals are beefier in a world class

[kramerdad1]

the mount is attached to the T10 tranny, when you install a T5 you have to adapt it to fit the T5

[PackardV8]

if you have dreaded the GM bolt pattern.

And here all this time I thought the GM bolt pattern housing was the more rare and desirable and the Ford pattern the dirt-common and dirt-cheap one.

jack vines

[kramerdad1]

I would prefer to have the more common and dirt cheap ford pattern bell housing instead of a 2 year only "rare" bell housing which limits my choices. the problem I was having was phil harris told me to stay away from the s10 t5 as it wasn't made to handle a v8. there are of course GM v8 t5's but they are way more expensive then the mustang t5 which are everywhere and cheap. Also, I found out it was hard to find someone who could tell me the exact year and model GM v8 T5 I should be looking as they are I guess different depending on application.I dont know as I have zero experience with anything GM. On the other hand, any mustang T5 will work, including the 4 cyl ones as they are all the same (dimensionally) the only dimensional difference between the v8, 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder Ford T5 is the end of the input shaft diameter which requires a different pilot bushing, that gives me over 10 production years of mustang/ford/mercury/tbird trannys which are dimensionall all the same to find a good one from. A GM T5 still needed a bunch more machining ( front bearing retainer. TO bearing etc) and the nearest machine shop to me is 30 miles away. Additionally, a new clutch disc because of the different splines on the input shaft, a mustang T5 is the same as the 4 speed in my Hawk so no change needed. I dont have to drop the bell housing with the ford t5 all I need to do is install the new pilot bushing cap onto ther input shaft, install the modified TO bearing ( both supplied with the kit) install the supplied machined front bearing retainer use the adaptor plate and its in. BTW, I'll be selling the T10 4 speed and shifter as soon as I get the T5 in. So if anyone out there wants a complete 4 speed set up make me an offer, it has only 68K miles and shifts great, no noises, groans or leaks.

[junior]

then why not sell the chevy pattern bell housing, buy a dirt cheap ford pattern bell housing, dial it in and put a mustang t5 in it?

[PackardV8]

So if anyone out there wants a complete 4 speed set up make me an offer,

then why not sell the chevy pattern bell housing, buy a dirt cheap ford pattern bell housing, dial it in and put a mustang t5 in it?

That, plus most wanting to buy the Chevy-pattern T10 will need the matching bellhousing in order to use it.

jack vines

[kramerdad1]

Jack, my hawk has the chevy pattern bell housing

[kramerdad1]

Junior, I have absolutely no desire, nor the correct tools to dial in a bell housing.

[drrotor]

PM has been sent.

[StudeRich]

And here all this time I thought the GM bolt pattern housing was the more rare and desirable and the Ford pattern the dirt-common and dirt-cheap one.jack vines

I'll go with Rare, Jack but more desirable?
I don't think so, UNLESS you happen to be unlucky enough to be stuck with a '61 or '62 T-10 Four Speed Trans. without the Housing.

And as you know, the only reason the Ford Pattern Clutch housing is available and cheap, is that is was used on all the later T-86 3 Speeds.