904 to T-5-WC swap

["Armand Eshleman" <aje1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The bell housing off a 6 is the same as on the V-8 isn't it.  I found a Bell
off a 73, was looking at changing out my sons 74 Javelin 904 auto to a Ford
1985 T-5-WC (got two last week after looking for over a year for a good
one), all I need at this point is a good Bell Housing and a Fly Wheel for
the 360, how far off do you think the balance would be on the fly wheel off
the 6?

Was told that to balance it to the 360 I would need to pull the crank for
the Machine shop to use and also told it would be best if they had the rods
and pistons to balance also, sounds like allot of work if I can't find a 360
fly wheel.


Joe,
I've done this conversion on my 70 Javelin (although it was a Borg Warner
Auto)
To answer your questions;  Yes the bell housings are the same after I
believe 1972,
when AMC made V-8 and I-6 bell housings interchangeable. I used the bell
from
a 1979 304 AMX with the SR-4 transmission.  The front bearing retainer on
the T5
will need to be machined to fit the bell or use a GM T5 retainer. The clutch
disc will
need to have a 1-1/16 ten spline hole.
Like you I was hesitant to tear down a perfectly fine engine to get the
balance right.
Flywheels, ah yes I remember well, I took the old flex plate, the harmonic
balancer,
a used 304/360 crank, used piston/rings/rod assembly, and a flywheel to my
machinist,
he proceeded to match balance the flywheel to the flex plate, I installed it
and it purrs like
a well fed kitten. If you don't do the same the engine WILL vibrate. The 6
flywheel is neutral
balance the V-8 is Detroit or external balance. Compare the weight location
on the flex plate
off the 904 and check that there are no lightening holes drilled into the
flywheel perimeter. See,
I rest my case. My machinist is the only one I found so far who said yes I
can do it, all the others
ran screaming across their shop shouting OMFG it's not a small block
chevy!!! Screw them they
are rank amateurs. The machinist I found is way pro, and performs miracles.
Oh almost forgot,
you can buy a brand new 360 flywheel, I see them every once in a while on
Ebay. Or at least they
got to be easier to find than a 70 304 flywheel. 72 on up 360s number in the
millions I would assume,
the 70 304 is unique to 1970 and 71 years only.
Also don't attempt to use the pedals off a pre 70 Javelin or AMX, they don't
fit. The
pedals for 70 to 74 Javelin / AMX are all the same. I know from personal
experience.

Armand