The Ford Barn

petew · 06-09-2023, 10:35 AM

I am just finishing up installing a T5 5 speed in my 30 Coupe using a kit from modela5speed.com which was formerly called Valley Machine.

I had originally wanted a mitchell overdrive and one of their transmissions but didn't want to wait until december or past that to get it .
Plus in speaking with the owner at Mitchell ( great guy ) he is having to outsource a lot of work because he is short on staff and as a result the prices will go up. I would imagine the total will be at or above $6,000 for the Mitchell package all in by the time I could get one . that's components , core charges and shipping but no tax.

The kit I purchased cost me less than $3k shipped and the transmission can be found for very reasonable money used or you can buy a fresh unit from a rebuilder which is what I did.

The kit was fun to install but more involved than the Mitchell and of course makes the car a little less original but should make the car easier to drive in modern traffic and my wife will now be able to drive it.

This is what worked for me and may not be everyones idea of a good modification but it is a viable option.

I have a bunch of pictures of the installation if anyone is interested in seeing them.

Pete

Jim Brierley · 06-09-2023, 11:41 AM

You've made a good choice! T-5's have a variety of ratios available, too late to choose. If it is now open-drive, I hope the rear end is well anchored.

petew · 06-09-2023, 11:52 AM

I believe it will stay put . Also I welded the seams on the radius arms

Phil Brown · 06-09-2023, 12:01 PM

Is that locating bar above the driveshaft part fo there kit or something that you came up with ?
Looks nice

nkaminar · 06-09-2023, 12:05 PM

Pete, Very nice work. Your work has always impressed me when I visited your shop.

johnneilson · 06-09-2023, 12:35 PM

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Pete, it looks great!

I had purchased a car years ago and the top link ripped out during a 1/4 mile run.
It was not constructed nearly as well as yours, nice job.

I would suggest looking at the fork extension on the radius arms too, maybe adding in some shear web will help.

John

petew · 06-09-2023, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the kind words and interest.
Here are a few more pictures.

petew · 06-09-2023, 01:05 PM

Everything you see is part of the kit with the exception of the 1/8" steel plate
I made to tie the crossmember back together after I had to cut it for transmission clearance.
Eddie Pruett the man that makes the kit does a nice job.

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 02:13 PM

Pete, If I were unable to find a Borg-Warner, I'd likely go the route you did. That looks super good. Was it bolt-in, or did you have to modify anything?

The steel plate you made...why did you need that?

So Mitchell is outsourcing work....bad idea. At least that is my experience. If you know what I mean.

petew · 06-09-2023, 02:46 PM

It is necessary to notch the crossmember to fit this tranny and I hate to do anything like that.
The plate gives a finished look and helps tie the crossmember back together somewhat.
I would also point out that two additional crossmembers are added to the chassis with this kit .
One holds the third link that runs forward from the rear end and the other holds the transmission mount .
The cap I made is probably not necessary but it makes me feel good !

JimG1127 · 06-09-2023, 02:47 PM

That is one clean car! Beautiful job! When I bought my A it already had the T5 installed. It shifts like butter! The only issue I have right now is the speedo doesn't work. I took the speedo out and tested it and it is good. So the cable which runs a very convoluted path to the differential is likely the problem. When I get a chance I'll do a little more digging.

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 02:48 PM

Good info, thanks.

How long to put it in?

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 02:51 PM

Jim, some things just make an A more practical. Heavy duty radiator, cast iron drums, and an overdrive/modern transmission. Once you get your A to a point like this you want to drive it all the time. Errands, church, post office, you just enjoy it so much more.

petew · 06-09-2023, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene F

Pete, If I were unable to find a Borg-Warner, I'd likely go the route you did. That looks super good. Was it bolt-in, or did you have to modify anything?

The steel plate you made...why did you need that?

So Mitchell is outsourcing work....bad idea. At least that is my experience. If you know what I mean.

As it turns out I have a couple of Borg Warner electric overdrive units on spare transmissions that I have for my 51 Ford. Having driven a friends model A which has a 5 speed I think the 5 speed really makes the most of that 40 horsepower .
The 5 speed is a bolt in job with the only mods to the car being the crossmember , floorboards because the shifter and ebrake move closer to the seat and you have to shorten the ebrake rod.
The T5 requires some mods but they are easy and minor.

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 02:59 PM

Did they sell you a beefed up front wishbone?

A modern transmission with synchronzers means you can keep the engine int he power range, without keeping the revs up where it chews up the babbit. Really saves on the car...

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 03:02 PM

Under $3,000...gosh I spent over $5,000 on my engine. And it is not even a Burtz.

JimG1127 · 06-09-2023, 03:02 PM

I agree with you Gene. Tomorrow I'm putting in a new Brassworks heavy duty radiator. A leak less water pump. An aluminum fan to replace my original. After that turn signals. My 7 tooth steering box has a lot of slop so I'm thinking about a Mel Gross steering column.

petew · 06-09-2023, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene F

Good info, thanks.

How long to put it in?

Kit arrived about two weeks ago and I will probably drive the car tomorrow after I finish installing the floorboards and the cut to fit floor mat that I got from Snyders.
It got the cast iron drums and Flathead Ted floaters also but that work was completed while I waited for the kit.

Took about 3 weeks to get the kit once ordered , one week of that was shipping.

petew · 06-09-2023, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene F

Did they sell you a beefed up front wishbone?

A modern transmission with synchronzers means you can keep the engine int he power range, without keeping the revs up where it chews up the babbit. Really saves on the car...

Wishbone is original

Gene F · 06-09-2023, 03:17 PM

Pete, one of the guys in our club put in a S-10 trans, and he was on tour and stepped on it, and he heard his snap. He told me he likes his, but you gotta have that front wishbone re-enforced.

Maybe I'm just being "over kill", but I sure hate calling for a tow truck.

06-09-2023, 10:35 AM	#1
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 188	5 Speed Conversion I am just finishing up installing a T5 5 speed in my 30 Coupe using a kit from modela5speed.com which was formerly called Valley Machine. I had originally wanted a mitchell overdrive and one of their transmissions but didn't want to wait until december or past that to get it . Plus in speaking with the owner at Mitchell ( great guy ) he is having to outsource a lot of work because he is short on staff and as a result the prices will go up. I would imagine the total will be at or above $6,000 for the Mitchell package all in by the time I could get one . that's components , core charges and shipping but no tax. The kit I purchased cost me less than $3k shipped and the transmission can be found for very reasonable money used or you can buy a fresh unit from a rebuilder which is what I did. The kit was fun to install but more involved than the Mitchell and of course makes the car a little less original but should make the car easier to drive in modern traffic and my wife will now be able to drive it. This is what worked for me and may not be everyones idea of a good modification but it is a viable option. I have a bunch of pictures of the installation if anyone is interested in seeing them. Pete

06-09-2023, 11:41 AM	#2
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: 5 Speed Conversion You've made a good choice! T-5's have a variety of ratios available, too late to choose. If it is now open-drive, I hope the rear end is well anchored.

06-09-2023, 12:01 PM	#4
Phil Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee Calif. Posts: 509	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Is that locating bar above the driveshaft part fo there kit or something that you came up with ? Looks nice

06-09-2023, 12:05 PM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Pete, Very nice work. Your work has always impressed me when I visited your shop. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-09-2023, 12:35 PM	#6
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Pete, it looks great! I had purchased a car years ago and the top link ripped out during a 1/4 mile run. It was not constructed nearly as well as yours, nice job. I would suggest looking at the fork extension on the radius arms too, maybe adding in some shear web will help. John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin. Last edited by johnneilson; 06-09-2023 at 12:37 PM. Reason: addition

06-09-2023, 01:05 PM	#8
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 188	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Everything you see is part of the kit with the exception of the 1/8" steel plate I made to tie the crossmember back together after I had to cut it for transmission clearance. Eddie Pruett the man that makes the kit does a nice job.

06-09-2023, 02:13 PM	#9
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Pete, If I were unable to find a Borg-Warner, I'd likely go the route you did. That looks super good. Was it bolt-in, or did you have to modify anything? The steel plate you made...why did you need that? So Mitchell is outsourcing work....bad idea. At least that is my experience. If you know what I mean.

06-09-2023, 02:47 PM	#11
JimG1127 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: New York Posts: 50	Re: 5 Speed Conversion That is one clean car! Beautiful job! When I bought my A it already had the T5 installed. It shifts like butter! The only issue I have right now is the speedo doesn't work. I took the speedo out and tested it and it is good. So the cable which runs a very convoluted path to the differential is likely the problem. When I get a chance I'll do a little more digging.

06-09-2023, 02:48 PM	#12
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Good info, thanks. How long to put it in?

06-09-2023, 02:51 PM	#13
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Jim, some things just make an A more practical. Heavy duty radiator, cast iron drums, and an overdrive/modern transmission. Once you get your A to a point like this you want to drive it all the time. Errands, church, post office, you just enjoy it so much more.

06-09-2023, 02:59 PM	#15
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Did they sell you a beefed up front wishbone? A modern transmission with synchronzers means you can keep the engine int he power range, without keeping the revs up where it chews up the babbit. Really saves on the car...

06-09-2023, 03:02 PM	#16
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Under $3,000...gosh I spent over $5,000 on my engine. And it is not even a Burtz. Last edited by Gene F; 06-09-2023 at 03:18 PM.

06-09-2023, 03:02 PM	#17
JimG1127 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: New York Posts: 50	Re: 5 Speed Conversion I agree with you Gene. Tomorrow I'm putting in a new Brassworks heavy duty radiator. A leak less water pump. An aluminum fan to replace my original. After that turn signals. My 7 tooth steering box has a lot of slop so I'm thinking about a Mel Gross steering column.

06-09-2023, 03:17 PM	#20
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: 5 Speed Conversion Pete, one of the guys in our club put in a S-10 trans, and he was on tour and stepped on it, and he heard his snap. He told me he likes his, but you gotta have that front wishbone re-enforced. Maybe I'm just being "over kill", but I sure hate calling for a tow truck.