Installation Overview
(reprinted from Car Craft Jan 1994)
Tremec's Ford aftermarket replacement T56 transmission
assembly comes with a newT56 compatible bellhousing that replaces the existing
'83-and-later T5 bellhousing while retaining the original clutch assembly, cable
clutch linkage, clutch fork, release bearing, and pivot ball stud. Installation
in older mechanical linkage clutch applications requires conversion to cable
clutch actuation. Advance Engineering West offers a universal cable clutch linkage
conversion kit for older Mustangs.
Borg-Warner developed the trans installation procedure using a '91 Mustang coupe.
It requires fabricating new crossmember mounting brackets and modifying the
exhaust system. The double hump crossmember and dual -cat exhaust illustrated
here are typical only of '86 and later 5.0L V8 cars. Suitability of earlier
single-car exhaust systems and crossmembers has not been verified, nor have
the fabricated brackets been tested to see if they fit convertibles. If needed,
Ford Motorsport sells a universal double-humped coup-style crossmember. The
stock driveshaft must be shortened 1.5 inches and converted to use a beefy Ford
"C6-style" 31 spline slip-yoke. The yoke hooks right up to the existing
'90-'94 T5 driveshaft's 1350 series U-joint. Earlier Mustang T5 conversions
must use a hybrid U-joint --for '87-'89, uses a 1330/1350-series; for '83 -
86, use a 1310/1350-series.
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The "Ford" T56 (Left)
uses a 10 spline Ford-style input shaft that permits retention of the existing
Ford clutch assembly. Its mount pad location (indicated by the straightedge)
is farther back than the T5 (right). However, the shifter is in the same
location as a T5, eliminating the need for floorpan modifications. The "stick"
attaches using two mounting bolts, the same as a T5 shifter (or most other
Hurst shifters). |
Bellhousing and Clutch Linkage
Tremec ships the trans and bellhousing as an
assembly. Detach the bellhousing from the trans and bolt it in place of the
original T5 bell housing. Unlike the conventional bellhousings and transmissions
that we're used to, the fork, pivot stud, and release bearing attach to the
front of the trans, not to the bellhousing itself. After transferring these
items from the old bellhousing to the new trans, bolt the trans to the new bellhousing.
Crossmember Modifications
The T56 mount pad is located 5 inches farther
to the rear than the T5's pad, so the stock crossmember must be correspondingly
relocated. Mount the crossmember to the underbody using the stock rear mounting
brackets as substitute front brackets, and adding new spacers and fabricated
rear mounting brackets. This requires drilling new 3/8-inch bracket attaching
holes in the floor and subframe. Remember to remove the front door scuff plates
and push the floor carpet back before drilling the holes through the floor.
Use GM trans mount PN17990869 to mate the trans to the crossmember. Bolt it
to the trans using two metric M10x1.5x30 mounting bolts; the mount's single
crossmember retention stud requires and M10x1.5 metric prevailing torque nut
and a new slot in the crossmember.
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| The clutch-cable and fork junction is in
a different location than the stock T5 unit. To clear it, trim the production
engine-to-transmission rear cover plate in the location shown. |
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To install the fork, release bearing, and pivot stud, attach the
bearing and pivot stud to the fork, slide the fork and bearing over
the input shaft, and only then begin threading the pivot stud into the
boss on the transmission case.
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Reuse the T5 clutch release lever dust
shield. Its retaining tab (arrow) must be bent outward to conform to the
thicker T56 clutch arm opening lip.
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| The right-and left-hand brackets are not
"mirror images" of each other because the unibody contours differ
on each side. Fabricate them from mild steel as shown. Welding and radius-bending
are required. |
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Relocate the AIR crossover
tube from points (A) to (B) for trans case clearance. Cut off and discard
the mounting hardware previously used to attach the exhaust pipes to the
old T5 trans mount location. Heat and bend the air supply tube line frome
the engine as required to mate with the relocated crossover tube.
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Both the speedo cable receptacle
(A) and backup light switch (B) are relocated to the passenger side. Compared
to the T5 location, the speedo cable connection is also moved rearward
3.5 inches, requiring a new speedo cable. The backup light switch wire
can merely be lengthened as needed. Tape off the original T5 neutral switch
wire; it is no longer required. Also shown is the new center slot added
to the crossmember for the GM mount's attaching stud.
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This is the complete Ford
T56 installation, showing the bellhousing, relocated crossmember and modified
exhaust
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Critical Dimensions
Listed below are the critical dimensions of the T56 in comparison to T5 and
traditional four-speeds. Metric dimensions are converted to inches and rounded
off to the nearest 0.1 inch.
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| Trans Model |
A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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| Ford Toploader |
6 3/8
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13 1/4
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25 3/8
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n/a
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n/a
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5.5
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| Ford T5 (small block V8) |
6.9
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14.5
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24.7
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15.4
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19.5
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5.5
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| Ford T56 After- market |
5.3
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21.1
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21.7
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20.5
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21.1
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3.75
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Detailed application guide to help you answer the question"What transmission do I have?" Select from the following links to take you to the detailed manual transmission model information on your specific vehicle, model year and number of speed transmission in your vehicle.
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Manual Transmission Parts 
