Dropping in the Assembly
With the T5 and Lakewood bellhousing assembled, it was time to bolt the
unit to a "dummy" 400 block. Superior Machine offered to use a 400 core that was lying around their shop for my 400 build. So, I was able to use my own rusty 400 core to mockup my T5 auto-to-manual conversion.

I hate working with dirty parts. Even though this core would only serve for test fitting, I still had the grime cleaned off down at the shop.		Lakewood Safety Bellhousings require a special procedure during installation to ensure that the transmission's input shaft registers correctly with the crankshaft pilot bearing. Since this was just the mockup stage, this procedure was not necessary.
I carefully fastened the transmission to the block using a couple of floor jacks to support the weight of each.		The curiosity of it all reached a peak while dropping the the block and transmission into the Torino.
Pictured here are the left and right motor mounts for a 72-76 Torino and 400 combination. Also shown is what California Pony Cars calls their 1964 1/2 - 1970 T5 Transmission Mount Isolator for T5/Tremec Crossmembers. That might be the technical name of it but I now call it a 1972-1976 Torino T5 Transmission Mount for 1972-1976 Torino Factory Crossmembers.		Using the engine hoist, I let the block hover above the front crossmember and supported the T5 with a floor jack.
Next, I took a little time to clean up the crossmember before installing it.		This is a shot of the kind of crossmember I wish this Torino had. For some reason there were two styles of crossmembers for these cars. The first kind bolts in just like this picture shows. The other is supported by a "mounting shelf" on each side. I mention this because the "mounting shelf" style forced me to make some mods to the transmission mount.
Here, you can see that I removed some material from the mount. Directly next to my left index finger.		I removed the same segment of material from the other side of the mount. You'll see why in the next two shots. I can make no promises about the integrity of the mount after this move.
The two bolts dropping down through the T5 are normally meant to be inserted the opposite direction and through the transmission mount first.		With the transmission mount VERY loosely attached to the crossmember, I raised the crossmember onto each mounting shelf. Now you can see why I removed those segments from the mount. I needed access to add a nut to each bolt.
It took a bit more massaging to get the motor mounts and the transmission mount in register with the respective bolt holes.		Honestly, it took about a hour's worth of toggling between the floor and the hoist to make it all work. Would have been easier with an extra hand but I got it done.
A quick measurement from the top of the transmission tunnel to the centerline of the output shaft showed the T5's output shaft was within 1/8" of the C6 in my other Gran Torino.

Shifter Fit
The glory of the mockup stage came with the position of the shifter with respect to the existing cutout in the floor. The next few shots prove a perfect fit.

I popped off the sheetmetal shifter cover.		Next, I ran down to Summit and picked up a generic T5 shifter with now real intentions of it being the final piece I use for this conversion.
With a Duraflame box as a seat and a lot of imagination, I stepped into my virtual 1972 Gran Torino 5 speed and went through all 5 gears.

Next Step
With the easy part out of the way, the next challenge on the immediate horizon is the creation of a pedal assembly for this factory automatic car. I am hoping to piece together a working prototype with the aid of a few good contacts. Most likely I'll be using a hydraulic clutch.

Thanks for reading and keep in mind that this article should not be treated as the only way to make this conversion. Like most, I am simply a hobbyist with more ambition than professional experience. If you have any questions please email jon@fordmuscle.com