Local junkyard just put in a '83 305 'bird complete with a t5. Considering everything is there (and on 1/2 off day trannie and everything would be about $200) this would be a excellent swap for my CFI car but I've heard early T5s are junk, so is it worthwhile pulling the set up for my swap?

 

The supply of V8 F-car T5s is so short, and they're getting destroyed so fast, that any rebuildable one should bring $300+ easy.
I wouldn't be as trusting of a pre-'88 T5 behind a healthy 350, even with the best overhaul, like Hanlon or D&D, but I'd still be happy to score one for $200.
I'd be first in line tomorrow morning, to start removing it, even if tomorrow isn't half price day. Score the trans itself, and the bellhousing, tomorrow. All the other stuff can wait, since it can come from the V6 versions.

 

I ran an '84 T5 for a few thousand miles until I scored an '88 box.

You could run the mechanical clutch stuff but the hydraulic stuff from a later year is preferable. I've run both.

You're right; it's a good opportunity to cheaply do the swap and get all the little bits and pieces until a hydraulic car comes to the 'yard. Pedal swapping sucks; the rest is easy.

 

May as well ask this too; if the rear end worth taking for about $80? its got disc brakes and posi but i'm not sure of the ratio ('83; no rpos in console)

 

could be 3.73.

Read some posts on here about the 82-88 rear discs (not so great) vs. the 89-up discs (bigger; alum. calipers; better)

 

Check the VIN. If it has an H for the engine digit, then the axle should be 3.23:1. If the letter is G, then it should be 3.73:1.
But more accurately, just pup the rear cover off the axle, and turn the ring gear until you see either 11:41 or 13:42. Or something else.
41 divided by 11 = 3.73