Manual Transmission Conversion - Five Gears Of Freedom

This billet-steel flywheel comes from FRPP as PN M-6375-A302. The cost is $140, and the flywheel is SFI-certified. Since our engine is of a '68 vintage, the flywheel has a 28-ounce imbalance. Those using 5.0L engines must use a 50-ounce imbalance.

The manual transmission has a different block plate than an automatic. This T-5 manual plate is brand-new and available at RMP as PN 7134 for $75.

Shown here is a complete clutch kit from FRPP, PN FMS-7560-C302N. The cost for this kit is $184.95. Besides the disc and pressure plate, we see a new throwout bearing and a pilot bearing as opposed to a pilot bushing. A clutch installation tool is also included to make sure everything is lined up when the pressure plate is tightened down.

Here's the Ron Morris Performance cable-clutch conversion kit, which includes the pedal arm bracket, cable, and fastening hardware. Hardware for affixing the cable housing to the inner framerail is also included. The kit is PN 7117, and the cost is $249.95.

Here, the RMP T-5 conversion crossmember for '67-'68 Mustangs is shown. Conversion crossmembers are available for Tremec transmissions as well as for the AOD automatic. This one is PN 7120 and retails for $139.95.

The job begins as all connections to the transmission are undone. This includes vacuum, kickdown, speedometer and shift linkage, as well as the driveshaft. Here, the fasteners for the rear transmission mount are being removed. The transmission will be supported by a transmission jack before the crossmember itself is removed.

The process continues as the bellhousing bolts to the engine block are removed. With everything disconnected, the C4 automatic transmission was then lowered out of the car.

The last step is to remove the automatic transmission flexplate from the crankshaft. This is as far apart as we need to go for this job.

The reassembly begins as the billet-steel flywheel is fastened onto the crank using the original bolts and a torque wrench. (Don't forget the block plate first!) Before installation, each bolt was given a liberal dose of Loctite thread-locking compound. The flywheel weighs a hefty 23 pounds and makes up for much of the rotational mass lost when the torque converter is removed.