So, I'm doing a cheap n dirty 5.0 Ford swap into an MGB. I thought I was being smart by buying a complete, running 5.0 powered F150 with a 5sp manual. However, it was a 4x4. The truck had the Mazda M5OD trans. I thought I could just swap on a 2wd tailshaft and be good to go. But, of course, that's not how it works. I'd have to disassemble the entire trans and swap out the output shaft w/ the 2wd unit.
So, I'm after an M5OD, 2wd transmission, but they seem to be rare. But, Mustang T5 transmissions are everywhere. What I'm worried about is getting nickle n dimed with needing this and that part to make the swap from the M5OD to the T5. Will the flywheel work? Clutch? TO bearing? etc etc
Can anyone give me some guidance or set my mind at ease? Will a T5 swap be simple? Or should I just keep an eye out for a 2wd M5OD?
Thanks!!!
Well the 5.0 in the trucks was the "standard output" version and the Mustang ones were the "high output". I know the Mustang was 28-spline on the clutch and if I remember correctly, the M50D is 10-spline. There's some engine balance differences in the SO and HO 5.0's as well.
Put simply, you're probably going to need absolutely everything from the Mustang, so shop accordingly?
To go m5od to T5, you need everything from the block plate to the tailshaft from the mustang, and that's including the starter.
Trucks got a 164t flywheel and 11" clutch, which don't cross over.
The M5OD to get would be the M5R2 as I think it's called from the Super Coupe. Supposedly beefier than the truck version. But they're not that easy to find. I want one to manual swap my XR7 actually.
Shifter location is something to think about as well. Thunderbird/Cougar folks who swap a T5 or other manual box that isn't a M5R2 in, have to move the shifter back or make a weird lever to bring the handle back. So if the M5OD shifter location works good in your MG, the T5 location might not, and vice versa.
You can reuse the 164t flywheel if you grab a T5 and bellhousing from an sn95 v6 car. I would definitely go this route as the T5 gearing will be better matched for your project vs the truck m5od.
Can you take an m5od out of a 2wd later 4.2L truck and mix and match your parts? Those are fairly common. I have a broken one in my backyard waiting for an engine that may never materialize. Might be a partout at some point lol.
Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:
Well the 5.0 in the trucks was the "standard output" version and the Mustang ones were the "high output". I know the Mustang was 28-spline on the clutch and if I remember correctly, the M50D is 10-spline. There's some engine balance differences in the SO and HO 5.0's as well.
Put simply, you're probably going to need absolutely everything from the Mustang, so shop accordingly?
Mustang T5s are 10-spline input, and 5.0 liter engines after 1981 are 50 in-oz, regardless of cam type. Any 5.0 truck late enough to have a 5-speed is also late enough to have a 50 in-oz imbalance.
In reply to snailmont5oh :
Do I have it backwards and the 2.3 ones are 28-spline?
I have a 2wd M5OD from a 4.0 v6 Explorer, don't know if that would help or not. I'm in sacramento if that is not too far. As I understand the first gear in this is pretty low and not great for a light car. A Mustang T5 is not so easy to find anymore, been looking.
Thanks everyone for your input. I guess my fears were founded. It would be a pain to swap to a T5, so I'll just have to keep an eye out for a 2wd M5od. And, thanks Nimble, but I'm in pennsylvania...
In reply to problemaddict :
I weighed th M50D and it isn't too heavy really, but if you just need the rear housing and rear shaft, that could be shipped fairly cheap. I could possibly use it for the Willys Rat, but not sure what I'm going to do there.
In reply to nimblemotorsports :
Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. I work for a trucking company and we have a terminal in Sacramento so maybe we could work something out if I can't find anything local.
