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4 speed toploader clutch and shifter upgrades


Dirtman

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Took the ole 65 mustang for a ride today... I'm getting old. Shifting this thing has become more chore than fun. It desperately needs a new clutch which isn't a big deal but it's still an old fashion z bar so the clutch pedal travel is about 2 feet, and the original mustang shifter was a sloppy mess even when it was new. It feels more like shifting an old truck than a 300hp car.

While I got it out to do the clutch I wanna shorten up both the pedal travel and shift throw.

I'm far from a manual trans expert and sure I could find pricey aftermarket kits for this thing but anyone familiar with this trans know of any oem stuff I might be able to peice together from junkyard pickings? I know If I want a better pedal feel and less travel I'll need to go with a hydraulic clutch which I'm fine with but dont know where to source parts.

Ideas? Options? Shove a c6 under it?
 


snoranger

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T56 and hydraulic clutch.
 

Dirtman

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No idea what a t56 is. I've heard of a t10 and t5... if I replace the whole transmission I'm going auto. But I'm trying to save the manual because this is my fun car. It's no longer fun though. At this point a ratchet shifter and a manual valve body sound nice. But if I can get a nice short throw and a clutch pedal a midget could use I'd be excited to stay manual.

I loved my z bar... 20 years ago. But now I feel I need a zerk fitting in my knee just to work it.
 

snoranger

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It’s a six speed
 

Dirtman

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That's too many gears. There's no need for more than 4. Actually, 3... I'm good with 3.

I miss rusty.... rusty would make fun of me for this whole thread.
 

Shran

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C4 and a floor shift lever... or an AOD? Good options if you go with an auto. I don't think you're going to be happy with a C6. They are indestructible but power sucking, heavy bastards.

I don't know what's out there for toploader upgrades. A T-5 would be easy enough to adapt since they have a cable clutch mechanism. There were also some oddball 4 speeds available in the 80's with better shifters too - had one in a '80 F100, think it was called an RTS or something like that... basically 1-2-3 and an OD 4th gear. Very high geared, would be great in a car, supposedly not very durable but compared to the toploader, who knows.
 

1996xlt

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Last edited:

minger

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I think you need to find a good car disassembly! However, in addition, you need a good auto repair shop!


Admittedly, payday loans is not something you need to resort to habitually whenever you have any consumer needs. I firmly believe that there can be other solutions to bring home bacon, so to speak. This said, there are emergencies when you cannot do much else, and used responsibly, a payday loan is a great help. For me this moment came when my medical bills piled up and I was facing a situation where I could no longer put off paying those. You may be interested to view your options for a reasonably priced payday loan before you commit to any particular lender.
 
Last edited:

Blmpkn

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That's too many gears. There's no need for more than 4. Actually, 3... I'm good with 3.

I miss rusty.... rusty would make fun of me for this whole thread.
6 is the proper number for a manual, 3 for an auto.
 

19Walt93

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A Hurst shifter on a toploader or a T10 should feel like a bolt action rifle, no slush just a solid click. If you don't want to go to the extreme of changing transmission just switching to a diaphram clutch will make the pedal pressure lighter. Watch out when you remove the over center spring from the clutch pedal or you could lose fingers.
 

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