Ford Windsor Forums

Second question from a new guy with little Ford eperience - I've got an engine out of a '74 LTD that I want to mate a modern automatic transmission with.  I'm looking for at at least a 5 speed, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a Ford tranny.  Anyone done something like this, and if so, can you offer me tips and advice?

When you say 5 speed - I assume you mean a manual.

With a 351 its pretty straight forward to put in a tremec t5, tko or t56 as long as you get the right bellhousing and box (there are GM and ford variants). If you want a street box go for the t5 or t56 as they tend to be a bit more civilised than the TKO. Richmond is also an option but tends to be more expensive. 

You can also put in manual toyota supra boxes from the turbo models which will hold up to the 351's power pretty well. These are nice boxes.

 

How much are you willing to spend? Depending on budget you can go for approaches that vary between junkyard strips of 90's mustangs to completely new builds.

I was actually looking to mate a modern automatic transmission, not a manual. 

 I'm willing to spend a couple grand if the fit is perfect and there's little hassel with wiring

Hello,

   I imagine that you are talking about a manual transmission as it is a five speed. I would think that there are special bellhousings you can use that are available at most speed stores like Summit or Jegs. I have a Borg Warner 5 speed out of a newer Mustang hooked to a 88 Mustang bellhousing and onto my 74 302 in my 67 Sunbeam. It bolts right up. I don't know about the 351s, but the 302s were internally balanced or externally balanced so I had to get the right flywheel for mine. You might want to check into that on your 351. Obviously, the 351 and the 302 have the same bolt pattern so finding a bellhousing shouldn't be a problem. Richmond, Borg Warner, JBA racing or any transmission manufacturer should have all the information you need for a swap. If you're talking about an automatic a C6 with a kit in it is a great transmission though only a 3 speed. They are easy to rebuild and are abundant.The nice thing about automatics is that they're designed for tall gearing if you're after top end or gas mileage. The nice thing about sticking to the same brand of engine and transmission is that it gets rid of the headache of trying to match them up. If it is indeed a manual you're looking for and especially an odd brand of tranny that you're looking for please note that you'll probably have to go to a clutch specialty shop to match the contact area, disc diameter, thickness, duty rating, pressure plate diameter, input shaft size and splines not to mention the depth of the input shaft. Also, VERY IMPORTANT remember that the import trannys are metric in their shafts, splines, and bolt patterns. Good luck to you.

Jessie

No, actually I'm looking for an automatic 5 speed.  Something with a couple overdrives, to keep milage somewhat respectable...

 As I've already got the engine, I'm unlikely to go for a modular engine, just to mate up a modern Ford tranny.

Are there specialty shops or outfits that do this kind of thing for a living?

your best / cheapest bet would be to swap in a AOD trans. If you do this you will most likley need a custome flexplate to work properly. Another option is to purchase an aftermarket add on overdrive.

An aftermarket OD isn't a bad idea.  What does something like that cost, and where do I go to find one?

Thier not cheap, around 2 grand or so. You can find vendors on the web.

There is a place here in San Diego, California that makes and sells overdrives/underdrives:

Gear Vendors Inc. Under/overdrive

1717 North Magnolia Avenue

El Cajon, California 92020

619-562-1186

Customer Service: Nick Johnson nick.johnson@gearvenders.com

Are there specialty shops that do cutomized transplants like what I'm looking for?  I'd think all I'd need are the bell housing, torque converter and any adapter plates necessary ...

 ??

I'd suggest talking to either an auto (racing) tranny specialist, or a specialist automotive engineering house as the bellhousing and torque converter setups may need to be customised.

The other problem with going a late model 5+ speed box is the electronics. A lot of auto box control these days is built into the ECU. You will either want to get a box with its own controller or need someone who can re-program the ecu to suit.

Hello,

  I believe that smitty has a very good idea with the overdrive. It's probably your best, simplest, and most dependable option. I'm sure that they can custom tailor it to suit your needs. Contact Gear Vendors in the above post. Contact their website or Nick Johnson, the sales person there. I had to go to DMV and they were right down the street so I got some business cards from them. That's where I got the information. I'm sure that they can tell you everything you need to know. The nice thing about an overdrive is that it's seperated from everything else and that leaves the depndability of your stock transmission intact. Keeps everything seperated and clean. No odd hook ups, no special adapters like bellhousings and adapter plates. Probably a simple hook up. Probably simple to repair if need be. Their website and salesperson are online and it doesn't cost you anything to browse their website as well as the salesman's e-mail. I'm sure that they can send you all the information you need for free. They look like a good outfit. Best of luck to you.

  Jessie

Where would the overdrive go? Near the tranny? At the rear end pumpkin?  And idea what kind of gearing ratio?

Hello,

  It goes between the tranny and the rear end I'm assuming. A friend of mine had an old jeep and it hooked right up to the transfer case output. It looked like the same hookup as a heavy 2 speed truck rear end. I'm pretty sure that it's an isolated unit. I think that all you'll have to modify is your drive shaft. Ask GearVendors for a catalog. I'm sure that they're free or really cheap. I'm going to call them to find out for sure. What's the vehicle year and model? I'll check into it.

  Jessie

It's for a '71 Mercedes 300.  I'm interested in something electric - a pugh button or toggle system that can be used to lower the revs at highway speeds...