The Ford Barn

Grumpy Rick · 03-02-2024, 02:26 PM

Asking this one for my brother.

Can a 5-speed stick trans be fitted to a 6 cyl. 1956 Ford sedan without a lot of hassle?? It now has a factory three speed stick, and would be a lot more useable with a 5 speed overdrive.

If so, which one? Mustang?

Thanks

miker98038 · 03-02-2024, 05:26 PM

This will get you started. Mummerts site

http://www.ford-y-block.com/t5in-cars-bird.htm

Along with the things mentioned (which it will work with a 6) is finding the older T-5 from the Mustang. There’s a lot of different ratios out there for T-5’s, so watch that. You’ll need to have a look at the current rear end ratio, and the various 1st gear ratios. Usually the o/d cars (6 or 8) had a numerically higher gear (like 3.9 or 4:11 in cars. I know the 56 6 cyl wagon used the Dana rear with a 4:27). Finding parts for the oem rear end is getting tough, so worth thinking about in advance.

Grumpy Rick · 03-04-2024, 02:12 AM

Thanks Mike,

I will tell my brother.

Rick

craig · 03-04-2024, 12:31 PM

A fox body 5.0 powered five speed has a 3.35 first gear. That would certainly wake up a 6 cyl. car. The only drawback is the shifter is at the rear of the tail housing. Unless you go to bucket seats, that shifter probably will interfere with the bench seat.

miker98038 · 03-04-2024, 11:39 PM

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This thread from the HAMB has a lot of info. It’s over 19 pages, but just the first page will get you started. Shifter positions, gear ratios, tag numbers.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...rticle.171291/

Pay attention to the gear ratios in 1st and 5th. I can tell you from experience it’s easy to screw up. A 3.27 1st with a 4:11 has you shifting to second in the Safeway parking lot. A .68 o/d really doesn’t want to pull a 3.33 rear end except on a flat freeway. I’ve made those mistakes. But properly sorted out the combination of 5 gears and a 1st gear synchro really makes a nice street driver. Tire height and vehicle weight play into it of course.

03-02-2024, 02:26 PM	#1
Grumpy Rick Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 200	5-speed in a '56 sedan? Asking this one for my brother. Can a 5-speed stick trans be fitted to a 6 cyl. 1956 Ford sedan without a lot of hassle?? It now has a factory three speed stick, and would be a lot more useable with a 5 speed overdrive. If so, which one? Mustang? Thanks

03-02-2024, 05:26 PM	#2
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,398	Re: 5-speed in a '56 sedan? This will get you started. Mummerts site http://www.ford-y-block.com/t5in-cars-bird.htm Along with the things mentioned (which it will work with a 6) is finding the older T-5 from the Mustang. There’s a lot of different ratios out there for T-5’s, so watch that. You’ll need to have a look at the current rear end ratio, and the various 1st gear ratios. Usually the o/d cars (6 or 8) had a numerically higher gear (like 3.9 or 4:11 in cars. I know the 56 6 cyl wagon used the Dana rear with a 4:27). Finding parts for the oem rear end is getting tough, so worth thinking about in advance.

03-04-2024, 02:12 AM	#3
Grumpy Rick Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 200	Re: 5-speed in a '56 sedan? Thanks Mike, I will tell my brother. Rick

03-04-2024, 12:31 PM	#4
craig Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Inland Empire of Washington State Posts: 368	Re: 5-speed in a '56 sedan? A fox body 5.0 powered five speed has a 3.35 first gear. That would certainly wake up a 6 cyl. car. The only drawback is the shifter is at the rear of the tail housing. Unless you go to bucket seats, that shifter probably will interfere with the bench seat.

03-04-2024, 11:39 PM	#5
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,398	Re: 5-speed in a '56 sedan? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This thread from the HAMB has a lot of info. It’s over 19 pages, but just the first page will get you started. Shifter positions, gear ratios, tag numbers. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...rticle.171291/ Pay attention to the gear ratios in 1st and 5th. I can tell you from experience it’s easy to screw up. A 3.27 1st with a 4:11 has you shifting to second in the Safeway parking lot. A .68 o/d really doesn’t want to pull a 3.33 rear end except on a flat freeway. I’ve made those mistakes. But properly sorted out the combination of 5 gears and a 1st gear synchro really makes a nice street driver. Tire height and vehicle weight play into it of course.