Previous owner swapped in a T5 and 302 into my maverick. The front bearing retainer tube on the t5 has been shortened...I'm a bit confused as the 302/t5 is a stock setup from a mustang. Can anyone shed light on this situation? the clutch worked fine before I took the trans out to freshen it up.
Don't understand the question. The classic Mustang with 302 came with a three speed or 4-speed transmission, the Fox body Mustang came with a 5.0 came and a t5. What year Mustang are you talking about. What reason would anyone want to cut the bearing retainer? To use a t5 on a 302 or 5.0 you will need to use a t5 bellhousing or an adapter plate. The t5 input shaft is longer than a Ford 3 0r 4 speed transmission.
Sorry, The engine, transmission, and bellhousing are from a foxbody mustang, I do not know the exact year, trans code indicates 86.5-1989, engine may be a little newer. I have no idea why they would cut it, unless they had clearance issues with the clutch...but with this combo that shouldn't have been a problem.
Replace the bearing retainer and you should (or might) be good to go. There was no reason for someone cutting it unless the clutch disc was put on backwards and the trans bottomed out before it got to the bellhousing.
There is a difference between the bearing retainer on a WC T5 vs. the standard T5. In order to use a hydraulic throw out bearing on a WC unit, the bearing retainer must be machined to accept the hydraulic bearing from a toploader application however, I have not personally seen the machining instructions. This may or may not have something to do with it if the setup was previously used with a hydraulic clutch. Just a guess.
Hmm, it's a manual cable setup as of right now, but that could have something to do with it. I'd hate to order a new one and have it not fit for whatever reason. There is an all steel version, and an aluminum with steel tube one (like i have now). I'm not sure if the all steel version is worth it or not, it's about the same price.
The 94 and up T5 used a longer front bearing retainer. If someone installed the long one on the earlier short input shaft trans, it would have been too long and interfered with the clutch cover fingers. Mine is a 94 transmission with a 93 input shaft and bearing retainer.
That could be what happened...I got a new one, and I'm glad i did, even if they did cut it for that reason, they cut it too short, looks like the throwout bearing was teetering on the edge at times based on the wear...for reference new one has the same aluminum base dimensions as the old one, the shaft is shorter
