M50D 93 split clutch differance?

[Todd]

Whelp, it has been some time since I have logged onto TRS or posted anything.

The rig is going under construction this winter. Cliffs notes:
Before getting the rest of the full exo, a fresh rust free cab and 4.0 are being swapped in. Bought a complete donor 92 Ranger with blown auto. Ranger currently fully stripped for parts.

Now my question. Is there a difference between the pre 93 M5OD-R1 and the post 93 M5OD? Specifically, the clutch?

Current drive train is a 90 BII 2.9 and original M5OD that came behind it, from the factory back in 90. When going to order up a flywheel and clutch on Rock Auto, I noticed the application years for the 92 where 90 to 92. I thought that was odd. So I looked up a 93, the application years for the 93 are 93 to 2000 something. They are different part numbers, so something must be different? So, I looked into this a little both on Pirate and TRS. From what I have read people say the M50D did not come behind the 2.9 pre 93. I know this is not true, as I have an OEM installed M5OD behind a 90 2.9. People also say the M50D did not go behind the 4.0 until at or post 93. They claim these used the Mitsu trans. Not sure on this.

Both part numbers for the clutch, both pre and post 93 have the same input shaft spline and diameter. So, what is the difference? I didn’t think I had to consider any of this, thought I could just get any 4.0 flywheel and clutch from around the era and it would work. But know I’m second guessing myself.

Again I need to get a flywheel and clutch to mount a 92 4.0 to a 90 M50D that was behind a 2.9. Do I need the 90 to 92 part number? Or the 93 and newer part number? My worry is the 90 to 92 part number corresponds to the Mitsu trans if it was in fact used behind the 4.0 in 90 to 92. And if it was, the I would need the 93 and newer part number?

 

[Todd]

Thought about it a bit, and then found the answer to my own question.

Looking up all the parts individually for the clutch kit they are all the same but the slave cylinder. I was looking up the clutch kit, that is what had the different part numbers.

So, the slave cylinder is the only thing that is different. Apparently ford redesigned for the 93 model year. The two are interchangeable from what I have read.

So, guess it does not matter, either should work.

I also read then M50D and Mitsu trans clutch components are interchangeable as well. So that is also a moot issue.

 

[RonD]

The Quick Connect fitting is different.
It needs to match Master cylinders hose fitting, so worse case is you get Master and slave for same year

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I just went thru this for my M5ODR2 swap:

The '88-92 "aluminum" slave uses the "black" coupler and the line used on all Ranger/Bronco2/Explorers up to the end of 1992.

in 1993 Ford switched to a glass reinforced plastic slave cylinder that
I believe is better than the earlier ones, but this requires a different
clutch line, one that uses a "gold" colored connector (they aren't compatible)

The later gold colored quick connectors are slightly larger than the older black ones. I read a post a while back on TRS where someone in this situation simply filed down the end of the gold quick disconnect to make it fit. I'm not recommending this method,but there it is for your consideration.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171332&highlight=connector

So it might be better in the end to use the newer setup if you have to get everything.

 

[Shran]

Glad to see you're still around and wrenching on the same familiar junk

I suspect that the only difference in clutch kits is the throwout bearing which would be different for 88-92 or 93-up.

I have never seen an FM-146 behind a 4.0.