M5od into 88 ranger 4x4 swap questions

[honhon]

hello all i just picked up an m50d 4x4 from a somewhat local guy.

the tranny needs alittle cleaning but it seems pretty decent and its a manual so it would be worth investing alittle more than my a4ld...

so anyways a few questions that i cant seem to find my specific answers...

M5od is the same as saying M5R1?

and i noticed that there are 2 rectangular holes on the top of the bell housing, 2 on the side for the slave cylinder to hook into the hydraulic lines

and then there is another one or two on the passenger side...

im assuming that these are some type of dust holes or some sort... but are there supposed to be rubber plugs in these?

this honestly is my first older vehicle and i dont plan on going mudding or anything, but incase i do need to get into and out of something that may be slightly deep.... are these holes going to cause issues for the cluch?

another set of questions:

ive been looking at rock auto for the flywheel and such.... ive heard the m50d is also used on the 4.0 so i was looking at lets say a 94 or 96 ranger with the 4.0 on rock auto... and it seems the flywheel the clutch/slave cylinder setup is cheaper and such...

can i use these parts?

also the block dust plate... i cannot find one anywhere for anything and i search by a bunch of different terms.... can i use mine?

my truck is an 88 2.9liter with 4x4 and the a4ld with the 1350e case

thank you all

 

[adsm08]

The proper full name of the trans you have picke up is the M5OD-R1. M5R1 is what people who don't know what they are doing call it. M5OD is the shortened common version of the name. At the end of the day they are all the same thing though.

There should only be a rubber plug in the large D-shaped hole on the driver's side. The upper holes and the salve holes remain open. I wouldn't worry about stuff getting in there too much.

Getting a 4.0 clutch will require a 4.0 starter and block plate. Using 2.9 clutch parts will allow for the use of all your current stuff.

The block plate is also called a "gasket" by parts manufacturers. Dumb, I know, but they do it anyway.

 

[honhon]

awesome thanks again for all the help... ill have to see if i can grab one of those rubber "plugs" from the yard.....

i ordered a clutch for the 2.9 rather than the 4.0.... im not doing a lift or anything and the 2.9 clutch is more budget friendly at the moment.

 

[honhon]

i cleaned my m5od alittle bit today... need more engine cleaner for it...

also removed the broken screw in the top of the tranny for the shifter gasket...

and i installed my 3 freeze plugs in the shift plate area.....


had a quick question though... i dont have a shifter yet... just the little ball looking thing the shifter bolts to...

do i have enough leverage with the pivot ball to be able to change gears? it doesnt seem i can get it into gear...

 

[adsm08]

It can be stiff shifting without the full lever. It may also just be in that special spot where the teeth hit head on instead of shifting to the sides. Spin the input shaft by hand just a bit and see if it will go in.

 

[honhon]

ok cool... ill try that... you've been a huge help.

my input shaft has alittle play in it... so hopefully i can drive it for atleast a year until next tax season and ill drop a rebuild kit in it.

and the m50d uses mercon atf right? just to make sure.... the guy that had it before has some sticky pinkish looking gear oil in it seems and its way over full