Hello, My 71 Grabber came with a 3 speed manual on the floor. I restored the car 17 years ago and converted it to a C6 automatic because I wasn't able to find a 4 speed top loader at the time. I would like to switch back the manual gear box and can now get a hold of a 4 speed top loader. However I no longer have the linkage or brake/clutch pedal assembly. Where can I find the linkage and brake/clutch pedal assembly? Or can I upgrade to a late model mustang T5 set up? AJ
You will have to find a clutch pedal assy out of another Maverick or Comet. The best route is to go with a T5 and use the T5 bellhousing. Then you can easily convert to clutch cable and wont need any other linkage. Search this message board. Its highly documented.
How bad did you have to hack it up to get a C6 to fit in there? I know the driveshaft had to be cut, and the crossmember moved... I was wondering about the firewall and floor pan. I hear they have to be 'persuaded' pretty hard. If you have fixed these things, then you just have to pretty much post a want ad on the forum for the linkage stuff. eBay often has a setup or two in bidding. Otherwise, you might try a hydraulic clutch. They are pretty good. I have not seen a cable clutch that I like, but that's IMO. I swapped my C4 car to toploader 4 a while back, before eBay... I just took my pedal bracket down and did a little fabbing to get a clutch pedal in next to my brake pedal. Trim the brake pedal to proper size/shape, then add new bushings and a couple pedal pads... done. If you got a C6 in your car, then fabbing a clutch pedal should be cake. Good luck Dave
T5 upgrade Thanks Mavaholic--I happend to run across some of the converstions as I was prusing through the website. However I didn't see anything about the clutch/brake pedal set up for the T5 swap? Or does the original pedal configuration do the trick? Thanks..
Tight fit... Great thread Mavaholic--appreciate it! What's up Dave? You're right on the mark about the C6 conversion. It was a tight swap. The biggest issues were the mount bracket and drive shaft, but I didn't need to do anything to the firewall. I used a small block C6. And I only had to message the tunnel a little to get a good fit but its tight. The headers were a big trick as well. I had to really heat and message them to fit around the transmission. The shifter linkage was also tricky and it's still not perfect but it manages. Thanks for the insight on the other options. I'll follow up on that...
My uncle had a great idea when he used the baby C6. He made a set of spacers for the headers. They pushed the headers roughly 1/2" away from the heads. This cleared them around the C6 under the car. Picture a header flange that is 1/2" thick. That is all his spacers were. This was not in a Maverick though, so I don't know if it would work for our cars. I did what you did on my C6 swap (71 Torino). I heated the collectors enough to bend them outward. Worked okay, but the collecters cracked eventually from the stress of heating them. I had best results in swapping by using a cable shifter. It can mount anywhere and shift fine, assuming your cable is the right length to make sweeping curves. Otherwise it binds. Good luck! Dave
If only this knowledge 17 yrs ago Dave, great insight!! Wish I had this input 17 years ago--but I'll definetly put this in my data log. May not be an issue since I'm going to back to the manual configuration. Best regards, AJ
c4 to t5 swap I have a 302 c4 but I just got an 84 or 5 mustang for $50. I want to use its five speed. Its complete but does anyone know whhat does and does not donate .ie clutch pedal assembly, flywheel etc? Also where I can Get What I need. I just did up the engine and its breaking loose the 8" tires thru all 3 c4 gears , so I know its beggin' for a stick and more contact patch.I know theres already alot of info and I'm a quick learner but not and old hand at this , my helper is a great ford guy but not sure about the pedal/linkage/flywheel issue for the diffrent years. I had my engine balanced on the crank with the flex plate (i think 50 counterweight) and I don't want to change the balance, it perfect. I'm getting 8.5 mpg on the c4, its killin' me $ and anything i spend will pay for its self in gas.
Hey Chupafuego--I haven't completed this conversion yet but checkout this thread from Mavaholic: http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6207 it has pretty good insight... Good luck
