[Stangrl]

I have a 1992 Mustang 2.3L that I will be doing a automatic to manual transmission swap on and I would like to know if the Separator plate for a 2.5L is different than an 5.0?

I am having a hard time finding a plate for a 4 cylinder, but can easily find one for a 8 cylinder. Not sure where to find this part and if it is in fact the same as the part....I was told by an auto company that they thought it was the same, but being told by other that they are different.

Any guidance would be great....also, do you need to have the manual computer in order to do the swap, or will it work with the auto computer?

thanks,

[b_chandler]

The plates are radically different. Use the automatic plate. It's what I did along with the automatic computer.

[Stangrl]

Are there any noticeable differences in doing this? I just purchased a new clutch and flywheel, so this won't end up messing anything up right?

I don't know much about the mechanics.

Thanks a bunch!

[TOM RENZO]

As far as i know the auto and 5 speeder is identical. I will go back to the shop today and check. But if memory serves me they are the same

[b_chandler]

If there's a difference between the auto and manual plates, I didn't catch it and it didn't affect anything.

The only change in 2.3 plates that I can recall is in 91 and later models that have the cast aluminum oil pan. The 'pre-91 plates won't fit those cars because of the oil pan. You can still use the bellhousing from a pre-'91 car, you just won't have a place on the bellhousing for the bolts that go into the bottom of the oil pan. Again, this is what I ran into when I did mine and no problems. The 5 speed and bellhousing I used came from an '85 or '86 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

[Stangrl]

Great, thank you so much. My transmission came from a 93, and my car is a 92, so looks like I can finally get moving on this project. Trying to cover everything before we get it started. I bought this car for a great deal, $850, white lx convertible and the only thing wrong w/ it is the transmission.... we had a manual sitting in the garage....got all my new parts for it and I am ready to drive it.

Thank you so much for all the information!

[b_chandler]

Glad that's resolved.

So you're sure you've got everything now?

Crossmember (V8 or 5spd car)
Longer crossmember to frame mount bolts (because the old one's aren't long enough)
Driveshaft (V8 or 5spd car)
T5 reverse light / neutral safety switch pigtail (or 1 butt connector and two bullet connectors)
Flywheel bolts (Big deal here since the flexplate bolts you took off aren't long enough)
Cap for the vacuum tree where the old automatic vac line plugged in.
Speedometer cable [driven] gear (or trim the nose a bit on the automatic one for now until you can get the right gear.)

The driveshaft and crossmember are common forgotten items, the rest of the list is stuff that tripped me up when I did mine.

[Stangrl]

ok, so I still have a shopping list....man, thought I was ready. Thanks for the list, there are a few things here I still need.

Where do you recommend I get the neutral safety switch?

[wagamanel]

WOW....I was going 2 ask about a auto plate fitting on the 5 speed. Im doing a 5 speed conversion on my 92 hatch. But i went with the turbocoupe thunderbird tranny. I am learning a lot & this site has helped A LOT!!! lol.... Good luck on your project. I still need a few small pieces.

[wagamanel]

Originally Posted by b_chandler

If there's a difference between the auto and manual plates, I didn't catch it and it didn't affect anything.

The only change in 2.3 plates that I can recall is in 91 and later models that have the cast aluminum oil pan. The 'pre-91 plates won't fit those cars because of the oil pan. You can still use the bellhousing from a pre-'91 car, you just won't have a place on the bellhousing for the bolts that go into the bottom of the oil pan. Again, this is what I ran into when I did mine and no problems. The 5 speed and bellhousing I used came from an '85 or '86 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

Same problem i just ran into last nite. My 5 speed is from an 87 turbocoupe. thanks 4 the info

[b_chandler]

Originally Posted by Stangrl

ok, so I still have a shopping list....man, thought I was ready. Thanks for the list, there are a few things here I still need.

Where do you recommend I get the neutral safety switch?

You don't need the actual switch. It should be on the new 3 pedal assembly you'll be hanging under the dash soon. Here's the deal. The automatic has a small wiring harness that runs to the driver's side of the transmission. It's a 4-wire deal. 2 of those wires are for the neutral safety switch which is in the transmission on the automatic (but under the dash at the clutch pedal on 5spd cars). The other 2 wires are for the reverse lights. For the life of me I can't remember which wires do what. I think I have an old post here or over on another Mustang forum that I helped someone out with the same issue. If I get a free minute I'll see if I can dig it up. You can be anal and get the real deal 5 spd harness and go plug and play, or you can be a little creative and splice the neutral safety switch wires together, and crimp bullet connectors onto the reverse light wires which will plug right up to the reverse light switch on the 5 spd.

There's a really good write up on the 5spd changeover if you haven't already seen it. Auto to 5 Speed Tranny Swap

[b_chandler]

Okay,

Lucky for you I can't sleep. I found this a post of mine in an old thread over at the Corral.

Here's your wiring info according to my '91.

Red + White - clutch/neutral safety

Purple/org stripe + Black w/ purple stripe = reverse lights.

This is how mine is wired and works perfectly.

[Stangrl]

My husband said he thinks the switch might already be attached to the assembly he has. I have had him looking at your posts to make sure we have everything....think we might head over to the pick and pull yard tomorrow and see if we can find a crossmember, which is fine because eventually we will probably do a engine swap and will need it anyway...I am sure that will be a much longer list....thanks so much for adding the write up on the auto to manual swap, I am sure this will help. He has never done a auto to manual conversion, so this is a first, and I am also learning a lot! I truely appreciate all the help! I have had a hard time finding out what I need for this and this forum has been the first place I have actually gotten somewhere. I think we are going to change out the pedal assembly tonight and start taking things apart, then we can figure out which gear we need and then go from there.

My daily driver is a 2006 V6 and it is an automatic, but eventually I would like to swap the transmissions on that one too, so I guess this is a good starting project since it doesn't have to be driven every day.

Thanks again and I will keep you posted to my status and what kaios we might run into. Thanks!

[b_chandler]

What a coincidence!! My wife drives an '06 V6. Vista Blue w/ Pony Pkg. It's her mid-life crisis car.

He's right, there's a switch on the pedals.

Good idea to put the pedals in first. That in itself takes the better part of a day. I did the pedals one weekend, and then did the trans the following week.

One more thing that hit me and it isn't in the write up. You'll need bolts to mount the pressure plate to the flywheel. My memory is like Sports Center, it only hits the high points, so I can't say for certain, but I think the bolts were 8mm X 1.0 thread and the one's I got were 20mm long. That's a shade too long, but it was all that the auto parts store had, so I bought a package of lock washers to take up a little of the bolt length and help keep the bolts where they belong.

The flywheel bolts are available from ARP via Summit, Jeg's or your local speed shop. Look up the part # for a 2.0L Ford, same bolts.

[Stangrl]

I have the same kind of memory, except I usually remember the non-important stuff. Thanks, I will make sure we get those too.