Hey Daryl,
Good talking to you again. I might have some answers for you with-out giving dimensions. I nstalled a t-5 in my '69 where a Saginaw had been. Everything bolted right up using the existing clutch and throw-out bearing. With the GM tail-shaft, the drive shaft had to be shortened slightly (1 3/4" IIRC). Does the Ford tail-shaft eliminate that. Also the console had to be moved back about the same amount for the shifter to fit the opening correctly. The 18 degree offset is in the 3rd gen bellhousing so really doesn't apply here.

My t-5 is also a WC out of an '88 GTA and is working flawlessly. Like you said, when you mention that you have a t-5 all you here is how weak they are. I have been told that "I can blow up a t-5 in 10 minutes". It all depends on your driving style . My intention was to have a fun car that I could drive anywhere and with the t-5 that is what I got and saved $3K in the process.