Re: 904 to T-5-WC swap

["steven rideout" <steven.rideout@xxxxxxxx>]

I cant recall anybody ever mentioning how the new shifter location work,s 
out with this swap
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Armand Eshleman" <aje1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 8:14 AM
Subject: 904 to T-5-WC swap


> 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