'86 vs. '88 4 cyl.

[trphinney]

I am putting a '88 ford T-bird 2.3 LT engine in my '86 ranger that has the 2.3 L FI set up. I find that the '88 ford block has a dif bolt pat that the T-50D trans bolts to (not to mention the oil pan also being a dif configuration). I need to keep my TK-5 gear box in my Ranger, as it is a 4x4 with the BW 1350 trans case. How do I adapt my TK-5 gearbox / bell housing to fit the '88 block, or am I going to have to strip the '88 block and rebuild my existing block w/ the '88 parts.

 

[ZMan]

Are you sure the t5 you have has a 4 cylinder bellhousing? I'm pretty sure all Lima bellhousings are the same, could be wrong as I'm no expert, but I can't see why they would have changed them up at any point. Also, don't t-5s have removable bellhousings? If so, just get the right bellhousing..

 

[kunar]

Are you sure the t5 you have has a 4 cylinder bellhousing? I'm pretty sure all Lima bellhousings are the same, could be wrong as I'm no expert, but I can't see why they would have changed them up at any point. Also, don't t-5s have removable bellhousings? If so, just get the right bellhousing..

this. well, except for the last part. any lima engine should have the same bellhousing pattern as far as i know. zman is also right about the t5 having a removable bell housing. the problem is that not all t5's have the same input shaft. you gotta make sure your input shaft is gonna mate with your clutch and pilot bearing if youre using a different transmission.