Hi Guys, I just took over my father in-laws, 72 Maverick Base with the inline 6 cylinder 200 ci. I have a 3 speed on the floor but am interested in moving to a 4 speed on the floor. Is that a thing? Am I able to take a top load 4 from a Torino and swap it into the Mav? Is it really worth it?
is that a factory 3 on the floor ?, haven't seen many ... Most Toploader 4 speeds' should bolt into the Maverick 200's factory 3 speed toploaders' bellhouse but the shift linkage may have interference issues with body. (HiPo TL's use different input shaft) ... since you already have the toploader 3 speed, a simple adapter plate could allow installing an 82 to 93 V8 Foxstang T5 - 5 speed with Overdrive 5th. The V8 T5 has the extra gear for drivability and the typical 1:.68 OD allows cruising at modern interstate speed within the 200's torquey - low RPM'ish powerband. With the Maverick Toploader bellhouse and a simple adapter plate the T5 will bolt right onto 200 BUT to fit the T5 some mod or fab to tunnel is usually done. hav e fun . . . . . . . .
Not sure about 6 cylinder rear ends, but V-8's and t-5's benefit greatly with a 3.50:1 or greater rear ratio. The engine might be lugging, if RPM's aren't high enough at highway speeds when in over drive. Tire height also factors in. There are online calculators that can figure out any of the variables from RPM's at different speeds, tire size, and gear ratio.
t-5's benefit greatly with a 3.50:1 or greater rear ratio. absolutely ! , as mentioned tire size has a large influence also... . ( 3.73:1 was typical Fox body T5 V8 car rear gears [?] ) my $ .02 : '61 /250 TriPower has 3.80 posi 8" with T5-Z for maximum tearing around and OD can drive Thruway speed back and forth to occasional 1/4 mile launches. . The '63 with NWC Mustang GT T5 uses OEM 3.50 rear with Michelin 205/70/14's on rear - 195's on front. Just about right as rain for small block six daily'. . '74 Maverick road car with SC'd 250 / T5 (93 Cobra) had 3.80 but low rpm torque of small block six and SC does better cruise with higher OEM 2.79: and 245/70/14s... . . . hav e fun
Nope, std gear in 5-speed was 2.73 with 3.08 optional. Automatics got 3.08 std with 3.23 optional. Factory gears were all about CAFE. Cars ran hard due to assembly line T-5 transmission having a 3.35 1st gear. The aftermarket T-5 have a 2.95 1st, so a little more gear out back is noticeable. I had a '86 with 3.35 T-5 & 2.73 out back, good in traffic. With 3.73 rear 1st is all but useless. With 2½" cat back system, the E6 smog heads & 2.73 car would run 14.40s. My 5.0 automatic T-Bird would run 13.30 easy & on 45* night best of 13.11. Of course that motor had Trick Flow heads and several other goodies.
The 169 was in my '86 Mustang. After I blew the cluster, up graded to the stronger 199 gear set For a 200, one of the half motor T-5 would be a great choice, O/D is only .79. I ran several of those in Turbo Coupes.
the 'NWC' early Fox GT - V8 T5 - '126' ? in the '63 I rebuilt for @ $150, only diff is Bronze bushings and gear oil not ATF and rollers. Pd/up the Maverick's '218" for $100 blown ! - didn't know Cobra "pocket Bearing" HiPo T5 parts are all a lot more $ ... 61's '251' T5 was mail order speed shop for @ 1500.oo , 218 . . I never learned to drive an automatic ...
Looks like some of my transmissions. Instead of brass syncro inserts, the WC uses lined cones. This is part of what allows them to function with ATF. First one I was inside was a '87 WC half motor trans. Someone used gear lube, destroyed the linings. Only source for parts(I could find) for WC trans was dealer. By time I got the 5.0 most all the Mustang suppliers had parts & rebuild kits..
