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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: emorrison96 on May 02, 2015, 05:08:12 PM

Title: FE Engine Swap Bellhousing/Fork Questions
Post by: emorrison96 on May 02, 2015, 05:08:12 PM
Hey guys - doing an FE swap into a 65 mustang.  I already have a truck bellhousing C5TA-7505 and based off of the research that I have done the truck bellhousing is a little deeper than a car bellhousing, but a small block transmission will bolt to it and engage the pilot bushing perfectly because the input shaft is a little longer.  Can anyone confirm if this combination will work?

Additionally, since the 65 was not available with an FE I plan on using a 68 428 equalizer bar and associated linkage.  Since the fulcrum for the clutch fork is sitting about 1/2 further back will the cobra jet linkage be able to compensate for this or will there be geometry issues with the linkage and if so does anybody know a work around?  Will some other linkage work?

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: FE Engine Swap Bellhousing/Fork Questions
Post by: Lenz on May 04, 2015, 06:21:09 PM
I was originally running the same bell that you've got with a late 70's 3 speed overdrive, worked fine.  When I rebuilt I went with a top loader and had to rework the fulcrum point in my "new" bell out of an older car as it was about 1/2" off. 

Plenty of meat on the mounting pad in the bell, I measured the fulcrum location carefully on the truck bell, drilled and relocated the fulcrum on my replacement to match.  I went thru all of this because I have a narrow case top loader and the truck bell made no provision for that trans.  I have heard that you can run a truck or car bell, suppose that's got to be true if you've got the right pilot bushing for the job.

Hope some of this helps, either that or I missed the question............

 
Title: Re: FE Engine Swap Bellhousing/Fork Questions
Post by: emorrison96 on May 05, 2015, 09:57:50 AM
That helps.  I suppose I could eliminate all problems by tracking down a shallower car bellhousing but those tend to be quite a bit of $.  I would then have to shorten the input shaft on the transmission, but that may be easier than playing guesswork mixing and matching parts.  I was mainly concerned that if the fulcrum point moves farther back due to the deeper bellhousing does that mean the stock linkage won't work.  I hadn't even thought  of what would happen if I use the deeper bellhousing and go to a diaphragm clutch as those are shorter than the long style; the fulcrum might be way back then.  If you were using this bell with a small block or truck transmission then I do know there are parts inside the bell available that will work; just need to figure out the linkage maybe.

Thanks!
Title: Re: FE Engine Swap Bellhousing/Fork Questions
Post by: ScotiaFE on May 06, 2015, 03:10:17 PM
The blue one is a C60A-6394-D and is 6 7/16" deep.
The rusty on is a C5TA-7505-B and is 6 13/16" deep.
Not sure if that helps you.

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/ScotiaFE/DSCN1053_zpsttppu2os.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/ScotiaFE/media/DSCN1053_zpsttppu2os.jpg.html)
Title: Re: FE Engine Swap Bellhousing/Fork Questions
Post by: emorrison96 on May 09, 2015, 09:27:36 AM
That does help a lot.  Those doing the TKO swaps with the longer shafts are apparently using bellhousings well over 7" in depth, hence the need for fulcrum spacers, etc.  At 3/8" difference between these two i don't think I'll have any issues.  Thank you for taking the time and effort to post those pics!