My T5 is crooked

[NA5KAR]

Hi guys. I'm really just looking for corroboration here. I received my Blueprint engine / transmission this morning. I'm a couple weeks away from being ready to put it in the car. I went with the 302 with a Holly Sniper and a T5 transmission. Within minutes of its arrival, I had the crate walls removed. Blueprint does a nice job of protecting and packaging the drivetrain. So, as I inspected everything about my new toy, I noticed that the T5 is about 8 degrees rotated towards the drivers side. Meaning that the shift bracket does not sit perfectly vertical. Where it mounts to the bell housing, the passenger side is much higher than the drivers side. I'm an OCD guy, so I noticed it right away. I spoke to Johnny from Blueprint and he asked me to email him pictures. He got back to me quickly and said that it's normal. I do trust him, but I guess I'm looking for anybody who has experienced this or has first hand knowledge. Thanks in advance for any comments. FYI, the yellow line in the picture is my addition with photoshop.

[Gordon Levy]

normal

[egchewy79]

Ha! I'm dealing with the exact same thing. I assumed it was because I hadn't trimmed the mounting tab on the PS just in front of the shifter (in your pic, the zip tie is through it). This tab might cause clearance issues with your e brake mount. I'm in the process of trying to trim this off with the trans already installed. I'll let you know if this fixes my tilt to the DS and also check my own bellhousing.

[edwardb]

As Gordon said, totally normal. Had a T5 in my #5125 build. These pictures show (1) it's rotated off to the LH side as you're finding, (2) if you zoom in on the second picture where the T5 mounts to the bell housing, shows the same as yours. I didn't remember exactly, but in the second picture you can also see I apparently trimmed back the tab on the side of the transmission to clear the e-brake. Other than that, the T5 fits easily. It's small compared to its TKO big brother which also fits.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/.highres/IMG_1038.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/6dacabd6-356e-4e0d-b23d-2992dec06354/p/4d1b4af8-b97c-4974-8108-1ebb61081e52)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/.highres/IMG_1039.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/6dacabd6-356e-4e0d-b23d-2992dec06354/p/c59a1ab0-ec27-4dd6-9ddc-45c40b12adfa)

[egchewy79]

Hi guys. I'm really just looking for corroboration here. I received my Blueprint engine / transmission this morning. I'm a couple weeks away from being ready to put it in the car. I went with the 302 with a Holly Sniper and a T5 transmission. Within minutes of its arrival, I had the crate walls removed. Blueprint does a nice job of protecting and packaging the drivetrain. So, as I inspected everything about my new toy, I noticed that the T5 is about 8 degrees rotated towards the drivers side. Meaning that the shift bracket does not sit perfectly vertical. Where it mounts to the bell housing, the passenger side is much higher than the drivers side. I'm an OCD guy, so I noticed it right away. I spoke to Johnny from Blueprint and he asked me to email him pictures. He got back to me quickly and said that it's normal. I do trust him, but I guess I'm looking for anybody who has experienced this or has first hand knowledge. Thanks in advance for any comments. FYI, the yellow line in the picture is my addition with photoshop.

just checked my T5, and this is the exact issue i'm experiencing. at first, i assumed it was the tab interefering w/ the ebrake mount. after closer inspection, there doesn't appear to be any contact between the tab and the mount. my trans to bellhousing is also a bit angled, leaving the top of my shifter plate to lean a few degrees to my DS. I was worried i'd need to pull the trans out to cut off this stupid tab. thanks for posting. very timely!

[GoDadGo]

The angle is even worse on T-5's used in the 3rd generation Camaros from 1982-1991.

Check out this jewel of a bellhousing to see it leaned even further to the left:

https://www.ebay.com/p/659547843

[walt mckenna]

normal

Why is the T5 rotated from level? Does the mount to the chassis need to be shimmed to compensate? Is the lube level affected? Being a plumb, level, and squared away kind of guy, that would drive me nuts.

[DadofThree]

NA5KAR, this would probably be the right time to notify you (If you weren't aware) that when you install the engine transmission combo, it's also normal that they'll be off center a little toward the passenger side of the car. Designed to be like that to offset the weight of the driver (I had asked the question when installing mine a few years ago).

You're doing great and congrats on the combo from Blue Print
Dave

(Since you're in Coral Springs; did you see Nascar is allowing spectators for the Homestead Race?)

[NA5KAR]

NA5KAR, this would probably be the right time to notify you (If you weren't aware) that when you install the engine transmission combo, it's also normal that they'll be off center a little toward the passenger side of the car. Designed to be like that to offset the weight of the driver (I had asked the question when installing mine a few years ago).

You're doing great and congrats on the combo from Blue Print
Dave

(Since you're in Coral Springs; did you see Nascar is allowing spectators for the Homestead Race?)

Thanks Dave. I was aware of the PS offset. My OCD will allow that. I haven't been to a Nascar race in years. Would enjoy going, but lost interest years ago when I realized that the drivers were a bunch of rich cry babies. Thanks for the heads up.

[NA5KAR]

just checked my T5, and this is the exact issue i'm experiencing. at first, i assumed it was the tab interefering w/ the ebrake mount. after closer inspection, there doesn't appear to be any contact between the tab and the mount. my trans to bellhousing is also a bit angled, leaving the top of my shifter plate to lean a few degrees to my DS. I was worried i'd need to pull the trans out to cut off this stupid tab. thanks for posting. very timely!

Thanks for the comments. I don't know what the effect will be on the e-brake, but I imagine it will be fine. I've received several confirmations that the tilt is normal. I'll consider it normal. Thanks

[NA5KAR]

As Gordon said, totally normal. Had a T5 in my #5125 build. These pictures show (1) it's rotated off to the LH side as you're finding, (2) if you zoom in on the second picture where the T5 mounts to the bell housing, shows the same as yours. I didn't remember exactly, but in the second picture you can also see I apparently trimmed back the tab on the side of the transmission to clear the e-brake. Other than that, the T5 fits easily. It's small compared to its TKO big brother which also fits.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/.highres/IMG_1038.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/6dacabd6-356e-4e0d-b23d-2992dec06354/p/4d1b4af8-b97c-4974-8108-1ebb61081e52)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/.highres/IMG_1039.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/6dacabd6-356e-4e0d-b23d-2992dec06354/p/c59a1ab0-ec27-4dd6-9ddc-45c40b12adfa)

Thanks so much for the confirmation. It caught my eye immediately when I unpacked the crate. I feel much better that it happened to others. On another note, I love your threads. They have been like a bible for me as I slowly move forward. Thanks for the help.

[NA5KAR]

Ha! I'm dealing with the exact same thing. I assumed it was because I hadn't trimmed the mounting tab on the PS just in front of the shifter (in your pic, the zip tie is through it). This tab might cause clearance issues with your e brake mount. I'm in the process of trying to trim this off with the trans already installed. I'll let you know if this fixes my tilt to the DS and also check my own bellhousing.

Glad I'm not alone in this issue. From the responses I've received, and the Google stuff I've read, this is normal. I'm interested in the results of your fitment issue. Thanks again.

[BluePrintEngines]

Glad everything is confirmed and we're all set.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Ford made it that way on purpose. And in case you didn’t already know, don’t be alarmed when you notice that the engine is not centered in the chassis...Factory Five did that on purpose too ;)

Jeff

[NA5KAR]

Ford made it that way on purpose. And in case you didn’t already know, don’t be alarmed when you notice that the engine is not centered in the chassis...Factory Five did that on purpose too ;)

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I'm good with the offset.

[egchewy79]

Glad I'm not alone in this issue. From the responses I've received, and the Google stuff I've read, this is normal. I'm interested in the results of your fitment issue. Thanks again.

to make it easier, trim that tab off anyway. mine is clear of the ebrake mount, but it might make it easier to insert the drivetrain. I did the pulley modification of the ebrake as described by edwardb and was worried about the PS bias of the transmission getting in the way. there's room, but it's tight once the trans is in. if you plan on doing this mod, do it before you insert the drivetrain.

[Avalanche325]

I'm an OCD guy, so I noticed it right away.

Wait until you put the engine in and find it doesn't sit level. Cobras and rulers are not a good combination.

[David Williamson]

right wait until you see the body the right and left are not the same.
David W

[DadofThree]

But in all of this imperfection, don't sweat it! Nobody will notice but you. They're stunning and a ton of fun, even with their flaws! (pic CSX 3102)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49992351568_1059e095ec_c.jpg

[GTBradley]

right wait until you see the body the right and left are not the same.
David W
What a relief! I thought I was the only one.

[NA5KAR]

But in all of this imperfection, don't sweat it! Nobody will notice but you. They're stunning and a ton of fun, even with their flaws! (pic CSX 3102)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49992351568_1059e095ec_c.jpg

Love that pic! You're right ... I'm the only one who will see it. I'm 100% ok with it. Just wanted to see if anyone else noticed this. Thanks

[NA5KAR]

What a relief! I thought I was the only one.

that's the reason I started the post. Johnny from Blueprint was awesome when I asked him about it. He got verification from his techs and from FFR. I was satisfied with his answer. I only wanted to see if others had the same experience.

[rich grsc]

What did you expect, that is how it was designed?

[Avalanche325]

I remember freaking out when I saw how crooked the hood opening was. The forum set me straight......well, set me crooked.

[David Hodgkins]

Why is the T5 rotated from level? Does the mount to the chassis need to be shimmed to compensate? Is the lube level affected? Being a plumb, level, and squared away kind of guy, that would drive me nuts.

The Mounts line up vertically. When I was building ol' 5369 and saw how it went together I figured, "Huh. Leaning toward the driver... cool". The trans mount fit so I really didn't think about it again until this thread.

:)

[Joe D]

Is the TKO 600 rotated the same way?

[RoadRacer]

Is the TKO 600 rotated the same way?

No, it sits level