Small block Ford swap: Bellhousing first obstruction point

[fairlane292]

Haven’t test fitted the ‘95 5.0 yet since I wanted to first test the bellhousing. Clutch fork won’t be an obstruction as I’ll be using a hydraulic throw out bearing. The area of the Bellhousing surrounding the clutch fork area is the first (and significant) obstruction. I’ve scoured the internet and have not found an alternative bellhousing for the SBF T5 combo so the only solution I’m seeing is cutting away that section and TIG welding in a 3/16” aluminum plate. I only do MIG welding and cast aluminum adds even more consideration. I can probably find someone very competent to TIG this for me.
I believe anyone who has done a SBF std trans swap either had to deal with the clutch fork side of the bell or just not put the engine back where it really should be IMO. Really would appreciate hearing from you veterans of SBF roadster swaps on this aspect. Thanks so much in advance. Jim

[redroadster]

You might look into the input shaft tube type throw out cyl... the no lever type

[Alvin]

Eric Hankinson had one on his 302 V8/T-5 car.



He documents the T5 swap but I can 't get the ink to work:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110201102 ... opy(5).htm

[fairlane292]

Eric Hankinson had one on his 302 V8/T-5 car.



He documents the T5 swap but I can 't get the ink to work:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110201102 ... opy(5).htm

Thanks. Yeah I hadn’t looked at his documentation for prob 15 years. He did cut a lot out of the car. You can see that from the cowl and firewall in just that one engine bay picture. I’m looking to do the most minimal modifications to body and frame as possible. That’s just a particular challenge I wish to take on. So if I have to clearance the T5 aluminum bellhousing with that in mind then I’ll do that. I see no alternative but before I take that step I wanted to see if anyone had done this or possibly found a 302 T5 bellhousing that was designed for hydraulic bearing and thus was more compact. (I’ve scoured the internet and have not seen one).

[fairlane292]

You might look into the input shaft tube type throw out cyl

Thanks for the input. I’m using a Tilton hydraulic release bearing so there is no space required on the side of the bell housing. The issue is the casting of the bellhousing area for the clutch fork; that is the obstruction point. Ii it were a steel bell I would have already trimmed the obstruction area away and replaced with steel plate. A race approved bell is steel but they cost a grand and I’m not sure it’s a viable option in any event. I’d rather take an 1 1/4” off the bell than the car.

[fairlane292]

I did cut the clutch fork area away and left it with a professional TIG welder this morning.
A quick test fit after cutting was very promising.
Next test fit will be engine and the modified bell.

[TurboRagtop]

Go for it, don’t be afraid of cutting up cast aluminum parts that are easily found for sale.
I swapped a T5 trans behind a Ford 2.3L turbo motor and barely got the clutch arm to clear after trimming the toe box a little bit.
I’ll be watching your build, all the best!!

[redroadster]

There are Trans slave cyl that fit on the imput shaft housing - no lever used
3000vr4 had one and Mistu Evolution some others

[funkaholik]

This project is awesome. A Datsun "Tiger". Shelby would be proud. Do you have a build thread with pics?

"don’t be afraid of cutting up cast aluminum parts that are easily found for sale" -- words to live by!

[fairlane292]

This project is awesome. A Datsun "Tiger". Shelby would be proud. Do you have a build thread with pics?

"don’t be afraid of cutting up cast aluminum parts that are easily found for sale" -- words to live by!

Have been taking lots of pics. It’s very early in the project but will prob start a. build thread when I have the mockup 302 placed where I want it. It’s going to be a long rotisserie restore and 302 driveline chassis mod project. Going for all original, sleeper appearance. Pace will be very methodical and rather slow.

[TurboRagtop]

I love the ‘all-original, sleeper appearance’ approach

[fairlane292]

I love the ‘all-original, sleeper appearance’ approach

Yeah, even interior will be all original. It won’t be obnoxiously loud though I am planning on dual exhaust. That and the sound will be the only giveaways. Course out here in the Northeast, people don’t know what these cars cars are anyway since there are so few.

[Gregs672000]

Thank you for the plan of a "non-obnoxious" exhaust... my car is not whisper quiet by any means with an open induction and a dynomax turbo muffler, but both my wife and I are getting tired of hearing 120db exhausts racing up and down the roads that are not that close to home. I don't mean to sound like the 60yr old fuddy duddy "darn whippersnappers!" kinda guy, but just like I enjoy 80s era heavy metal I don't expect others to want to hear/feel my music. A deep rumble is nice, a loud BLAAAPPP is not...

[fairlane292]

Thank you for the plan of a "non-obnoxious" exhaust... my car is not whisper quiet by any means with an open induction and a dynomax turbo muffler, but both my wife and I are getting tired of hearing 120db exhausts racing up and down the roads that are not that close to home. I don't mean to sound like the 60yr old fuddy duddy "darn whippersnappers!" kinda guy, but just like I enjoy 80s era heavy metal I don't expect others to want to hear/feel my music. A deep rumble is nice, a loud BLAAAPPP is not...

I understand. I’ll get it as quiet as I can; which of course is only so quiet for a v8 in a small chassis. Also I’ll be limiting NVH as much as possible and working towards the best drivability.

[redroadster]

This is the last thing we need for that
https://youtu.be/gVMr2F71sTE?si=ooMF39voM8ZOm4PY
What happened to the 240z ( that was touted to star in it)?