Thrust bearing ? ?

[JoshT]

Can't help you on the noise but I believe that there is another option for a transmission. The 4.0L Mustangs use a Tremec (SP?) T5 with internal slave cylinder. These should bolt right up to the 2.8L, though I'm still trying to figure a few things about this swap myself. First is the clutch/flywheel/starter, which Ford V6 would I need them from to make it work. Then there's the speedometer drive, the mustang uses electronics to drive the speedo, but is everything still there for a mechanical drive setup or would the tail housing have to be swapped.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Hey Hotrod;

I'm interested in your comments about the M50 trans, have you done that swap??

Went to the Tech Library and checked out the trans section, I see there are 2 types of the M50 - which one should I use??
With all the problems I've had with the old TK5, I'm thinking I'll keep an eye out for the
M50, just want to be sure which one I should look for, also what year of Rangers are they in??

I honestly don't recall having ever even seen one in person. J/K I've seen several in junkyards, but I always managed to find the 2wd versions, which I've never had any use for at the time. When I was looking for a trans for my 85, it took ~2 months for me to find a 4wd TK5. I still have yet to see a 4wd Mazda in a junkyard.

The 2wd ones should be somewhat easy to come by. Look in probably ~89 and later Rangers. I don't know how long they used the same bellhousing pattern for, but I think up to about 99 would be a safe bet.

You can probably do some google searching and find out which years will fit.