Thread: Tranny Options

Tweet

Hello,

I recently traded for a Ford 302 that is out of a Ford Fairmont Futura. I was told it was a 1979, all I can find is reference to 1980 and 1981 model years for the Futura. Anyway, it has an automatic transmission on it and I want to use a manual transmission. Will a 1979-1993 Mustang transmission bolt up directly. I know very little about Fords, are the 1979-1993 Mustang transmissions T5's? World-class T5's? I hope to put this into a car intended to compete in SCCA autocross events.

Thanks,
Tom

The thing you need to be most concerned with is finding out the true year of your donor block,in 1980 Ford 302's changed from the old 28 oz balance to a 50 oz balance if you mix up the wrong flywheel and balancer combination you will have a severe vibration which will be a "death knell" for your 302,click on this for help:The Ford 289 and 302 Engine Block It would be a good idea to check out buying some of these books on building a SBF 302.

Jeff hit it exactly. Ford makes a lot of changes in midstream and while a 302 is basically a 302 that early 28oz imbalance vs post 1980 50oz imbalance issue is something you need to watch out for. The later bellhousings will bolt up to the earlier engines as Ford kept the same pattern since the mid 60's.

If you are considering competing with this engine you might be better off going with one of the later 5.0 Mustang type roller cam motors. They are dollar for dollar way ahead of the base 302 engines performance wise.
Don

Welcome to CHR, ottathom. Both Jeff & Don are steering you right, and both know their Fords! The tranny in the Fox body Mustangs was indeed the T5, varying in torque capabilities through the years. There are lots of Mustang specific sites out there, like this one dealing specificly with the swap you're wanting to make T5 Swap, T5 Conversion, Mustang T5 Swap, Auto to Manual Transmission - FordMuscle If you're going into a competition situation and if you have the flexibility to run other than OEM parts you might consider using a TREMEC TKO instead of the T5 - a much stronger tranny, and lots of the old T5's were driven really hard.