T-5 Adapter for 50-71 AMC Six!

I know there is an old topic on this, but thought I'd start a new one. Bruce at Modern Driveline worked with TomJ and I (mostly Tom!) to make this adapter available. The adapter is made to use both the "short" pattern T-96 bell (four point engine mount cars) and the "tall" pattern (three point engine mount cars). It will work with any pre 72 AMC six. It uses the modern V-6 T-5 (94-98 has cable speedo, 99-04 has electronic speedo pickup only) or the 94-95 V-8 T-5 (cable speedo).  Contact info is below, but first some details on the trannys.

V-6 gear ratios are:

3.35

1.93

1.29

1.00

0.73

3.15

The V-8 gear ratios are:

3.35

1.99

1.33

1.00

0.68

3.15

The 2005-2010 Mustang V-6 T-5 should work as well. It has a lower first gear (3.75), electronic speedo pickup (no cable!), and has a remote mount shifter. The shifter mounts to the body with rods connecting to the trans, similar to the old Twin-Stick shifter. This might help with shifter location. It also uses a hydraulic throw-out bearing and a different driveshaft -- no slip-yoke, the shaft bolts to a flange. The shaft must be a telescoping type, so get the shaft as well if using one of these. (NOTE: Modern Driveline states that it isn't easy to relocate the shifter, so the 05-10 transmission would be difficult to use)

With any of the trannys a 3.31 or lower rear axle would be best, but with the 0.68 a 3.08 might be acceptable. Almost all T-96s had a 2.605 first gear and used as low as 4.37 (optional for 60 and earlier Rambler 6 with OD and 196 OHV) axle gears with OD. Most early 60s cars used a 4.11 or 3.78 with OD, while the last Americans to use the T-96/OD trans used a 3.08 axle (with 14" tires -- taller tires would need a little more gear, shorter tires less). I personally wouldn't go less than a 3.31 gear with either trans, and a 3.55 or 3.78 wouldn't be good with the 0.73 OD. The Borg-Warner ODs were all 0.70.  You need enough gear to run the engine in the 1900-2100 range at a cruising speed of 65-75. Under 1900 rpm and the engine may pull the car fine, but will work harder and take more fuel. The 196 will run steadily at 2500 rpm, but the old design wasn't made to run that fast for sustained periods and it will use a bit more oil than usual (as much as a quart in 1000 miles for a healthy engine). Top power was rated at 3200 rpm, but I've never been able to reach over 3000 rpm with the engine in the car (don't recall if I even reached 3000 -- may have been more like 27-2800!).

2005 Mustangs use a 3.31 rear axle with the T-5 and 27" tires (235/55R17 -- 27.2" diameter). That would be a 205/75R15 (27.1"). With a 27.2" tire and 0.68 gear ratio the car would travel 67 mph @ 2000 rpm (3.31 axle). With a 205/70R15 (26.3") speed would be 69.6 mph. A 26" tire might be best (68.8 mph). Go to www.4lo.com (or other websites) and play with the metric tire size (to find diameter) and gear ratio calculators (use "1" for xfer case ratio) to figure out what's best for your car.

Even if you didn't use either first or OD due to rear axle ratio, you'd have a great four speed with a better gear spread than the old three speed. It would also be a fully synchronized trans (only one synchro between 2nd and 3rd on the old T-96, DO NOT down-shift into 1st unless at or very near a complete stop or you'll chip teeth!!).

====================================

On 04/17/2013 06:16 PM, Bruce Couture wrote:

Ok, gentlemen, We have AMC adapter available for sell. 

MD-401-2400     Adapter plate, T-5 Ford, AMC/Nash/Rambler 199, 232, 71 258, 1950-71 6 cylinder T-96/T-14, with hardware  $180

MD-401-2400S  Adapter plate, T-5 Ford, AMC/Nash/Rambler, 199, 232, 71 258, 1958-71 6 cylinder T-96/T-14, with hardware, No rotation for Front shift T-5  $180

(NOTE: the "Front Shift" T-5 is one that MD sells. It has the shifter forward like an S-10 trans)

Taking orders at this time.

Regards, Bruce

Modern Driveline Inc.

"Your five/six speed conversion source"

208-453-9800 ext 101

facebook.com/ModernDriveLine

Modern Driveline can supply drive shafts and clutches with bearings for the conversion. Call for details on measuring for the driveshaft. They can also supply hydraulic release bearings if you're interested in converting to a hydraulic clutch.


Edited by farna - Nov/29/2013 at 1:08pm

I am interested in seeing these but there are not any pics

I don't have a photo, but here is the CAD file print sent to me by Modern Driveline.

Am surprised no one responded.......but none of my stuff is pre'72............if I had an old Rambler I sure would snag one.

The issue is a day late and a dollar short.
There are guys out there that want these, the product is likely not hitting their ears!

Most of us 6 cylinder guys got disgusted with trans choice and moved up to post 71 stuff.

I promise that if my car still had a early 232 in it I would have one of those adapters asap.

But all that stuff is gone but one lone 232 that I need to get the crank out of if the weather will let me do it!

I'd hope he'd just let the stock stay and advertise it.
Isn't getting the cad file the big issue with these kind of parts? (I honestly don't know enough to say).