[Mac88]

I plan on pulling the T5 out of my 88 Mustang this weekend, and I have a tech question. The clutch in the car is fine, just the 5th and reverse gear were messed up. Can I just dropped the tranny and leave the bell housing and clutched connected. Will the tranny just slide up in there? Every post I've read shows pulling the bellhousing and clutch, but I'm trying to avoid that. Any advice?

[RippinRon]

You sure can.

[Mac88]

Ok, thanks. So there is no reason to remove the pressure plate or anything else. It will be a plug and play type install?

[RippinRon]

If its good no, but it's a nice time to have a look or change the pilot bushing or bearing.

[Mac88]

Okay, I know im about to ask the same question again, but I just want clarification because today when I was picking up some ATF, I was told something new, as usual. I'm pulling the T5 out of my 88 Mustang because I don't have 5th gear and reverse. I understood that I could drop the driveshaft, unbolt the transmission from the bellhousing, slide the new transmission inn bolt it up to the bellhousing, connect drive shaft and all was good. Today, two guys said its not simple. That I had to pull the bellhousing to position the clutch fork on the spindle of the transmission?

[68NovaSS]

By spindle you mean input shaft? I don't see why, if you're able to keep it steady, like on a jack, and thread it through the throwout bearing. I don't see any benefit to having the bell housing attached to the trans, except that you can put it up as an assembly maybe, I have never done that. Just ensure everything feels good, pedal pressure and all, before you wrap it all up.

I have taken 3" bolts, same size and thread as the trans mounting bolts, cut the heads of and used them as guide dowels. Makes it a little easier to get things aligned. If you're not removing the disc, you shouldn't have spline alignment problems.

You do know you will have to raise and support the rear of the motor and probably remove the trans cross member to get the trans out?