Shift , Shifting or Shiftless .. Who's got the handle on the #'s ??

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Community Discussion
1

Anyone know the real #'s of just how many stick shift car were made ( 67" - 70" ) each year ?

Having never had to do the conversation ( auto to 4 speed ) I’m very hesitant to try it . I’m thinking one would need a donor car ( I’m thinking a “Parts Car” Mustang , since finding same in a Cougar is like wayyyyyy to hard to find ).

Better yet … any one know what a good shop would charge ( labor wise ) , to do the switch ? I’m thinking the repo market has all the given parts …Right ??? NO ??? Any one !!! … HELP !!!

2

The numbers are low. t would take to much time to quote my Cougar, By the numbers book. It is easier to get parts from a Mustang, or reproduction. I used a kit to do a T-5Z swap in to my 70 XR-7. It is from http://www.moderndriveline.com/ You also can find kits at http://www.cjponyparts.com/ But are the Modern Drive line kits.
My swap is documented in this thread. https://cccforum.discoursehosting.net/t/so-i-am-planning-to-repower-ginger-this-winter-spring/4248/1

3

No donor car required.

Here’s a link to the conversion I did. It’s not hard at all, just takes time.

4

My Marti AYS 536 were made in 68 with a 302 and a 4 speed. Not sure about 390s

5

And I should have never sold the one I had.

6

Don’t be afraid of the conversion. It is very straightforward - and all the provisions (mounting locations) are already in place on your automatic equipped Cougar for the clutch linkage and clutch pedal

The linkage parts can be purchased as a kit from Perogie Enterprises - for about $500 for everything. They have the trans crossmember too -

The clutch pedal can be had through Modern Driveline for about $160

The most expensive part will be the short shaft (24") Toploader 4 speed - which will be $750 for a small block trans to over $1500 for a big block unit

Bellhousing is an easy find - $75-200 on eBay depending on condition and application ( big blocks cost more)

The most challenging parts aspect will be driveshaft - they differ 4 speed to auto (length and slip yoke). Your best bet may be to have one made custom. Getting the precise measurements can be a pain.

The hardest part of the job is hanging the clutch pedal, not because the job is complicated - but because it is hard to get your hands / tools in such a confined and dark space.

7

Percentages of Cougars equipped with a manual transmission by year
1967 = 18.5%
1968 = 13.2%
1969 = 10.5%
1970 = 7.8%
1971 = 2.8%
1972 = 1.5%
1973 = 0.7%
Total for 1967 to 1973 = 10.1% (Mustangs for the same time frame were 25.2%)
Percentage of each transmission;
X = 46.8%
W = 33.6%
U = 9.5%
1 = 7.2%
5 = 2.5%
6 = 0.5%
If you desire more detail, I would suggest Kevin Marti’s book “Cougar…by the numbers”

8

Many thanks for the info. I’m guessing ,even with a Mustang “donor” ( stick shift ) car I’ll still be needing a custom made drive shaft ? All cougars are longer … right ?
I’m thinking the conversation to a 4 speed shouldn’t hurt the re-sale . One seems to see 4 speed muscle cars bringing more at auction , even if it was converted .

9

After reading this thread I decided to go out and measure my driveshaft (it’s out of the car, so it was pretty easy). It measured 54" from centerline to centerline of the u-joints. This was originally out of a '67 289 3-speed Cougar with 8" rear end, but is currently in my '68 with a Top Loader and a 9".

My '68 was converted from an auto to a manual by using parts from the '67 3-speed. Everything bolted in place easily as others have mentioned. It does take a different (narrower) brake pedal, also. It also makes a difference depending on whether it has manual or power brakes (different leverage).

10

For about the same money you can put in a brand new 5 spd. If you want it to look factory, do this…

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/tra-068-200.html?attribs=76