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Let's talk transmissions

tarafied1

tarafied1

Well-Known Member
I'm sitting in my empty hotel room day dreaming about going on the Power Tour again. The 2.50 gears I put in really helped mpg and with the 429 I still have plenty of torque but I do miss the 3.70's. I'd like to have an OD trans but I am not made of money. The BBF doesn't seem to have a lot of options when it comes to OD. I thought (briefly) that a T5 might be an option but to get one to survive behind the torque it would cost as much or more than a TKO. A top loader was pretty common behind the 460 and I have read that there was a version with OD used in some trucks. Does anyone know much about those?
I could go with a 4R70W auto but that would be expensive and no fun. I have a very strong and reliable C6 but no OD and an auto is boring.
I really want to shift to a manual (pun intended) but can't afford to $3,000 on a conversion. Besides the drag car needs a trans too.
Still thinking I should put the 5.0 I have in my red car with a T5 and put the 429 in the drag car but I just hate to yank it out. It's been so much fun to drive, even with a C6. So any ideas on a low budget OD trans set-up?
If the OD top loader is strong enough I should be able to use eBay OEM parts.
 
Craig, I think your becoming overly obsessed with the power tour. Jk

I can't help with trans, but I wouldn't swap engines just to get od. There must be an option out there.
 
I thought about everything you have, and was debating big block vs small for a long time! I came to reality and know i can't afford a TKO 600 right now :bomb so i'm building a 393W-T5 combo and gonna see how long the T5 lasts since i'm not drag racing it every week i think it should last a year or 2? Anyway Since your in WI i have a good AOD I'd sell you cheap if your interested I don't know if they make a bell housing adapter?? but i Didn't know a 4R70W had a bellhousing adap. either??- They are a great trans! got one in the interceptor i love it.
"tarafied1" said:
A top loader was pretty common behind the 460 and I have read that there was a version with OD used in some trucks. Does anyone know much about those?

The only OD truck trans i can think of is the ZF behind diesels and 351W i think they are rated at 400ft/lbs????not sure on that
Click to expand...
 
There is a bell housing you can fit on an AOD, you have to cut the one piece bell house off the case. It costs a pretty penny however.
I am obsessed with Power Tour! I need AC and OD!!!
 
What about just installing a custom gear set into the TL? Do some calculations and get the first 3 gears spaced just right and then have a tall 4th gear.
 
"silverblueBP" said:
What about just installing a custom gear set into the TL? Do some calculations and get the first 3 gears spaced just right and then have a tall 4th gear.
Click to expand...
That would a good idea. I didn't know that was an option. The C6 has a 2.46 1st, The stock "wide ratio" TL has a 2.78. The T5 has 3.35. Just changing the trans ratio's would be like changing the rear gear. I know a torque converter multiplies torque so I don't know how to compare a Auto vs. Manual in terms of ratio's.
Again I would love a TKO but just the trans is a couple grand and besides all the components to mate it to a BBF they require major trans tunnel surgery. Since the top loader was available in Mustangs and behind BBF's all the parts should be available "off the shelf" or used = less$$$
 
from what I read on the interweb (so it has to be true), Ford made an iron case SROD from 77 - 81 and was used in light duty trucks and an aluminum case version from 81 to 84 and was used in Mustangs including the 82 and 83 GT. They are supposed to be dimensionally interchangeable and use the same input and output splines.
Ford used the Toploader in Mustangs and Falcons and other cars & trucks until 73. I believe even the 3 and 4 speed TL was interchangeable.
 
"cmayna" said:
TKO600 = more gears to shift = more fun.
Click to expand...

T-56 = even more gears to shift than a TKO = $hit eating grin. Low mile cobra T56 can be had for under $1k but you'll need another $400 for a bell for a SBF.
 
There is a guy on the 460Ford site that goes by the name of Blown473 that runs an SROD toploader behind... a blown 473 and swears by them. He is in the vast minority in his opinion of the durability of the SROD but he proves that it has been done at least once. I have been thinking of trying it myself. The factory bell housings for the BBF are getting harder to find though. I believe the OD is .80.
 
"tarafied1" said:
I'm sitting in my empty hotel room day dreaming about going on the
Click to expand...

I was afraid to read any further....
Add gear vendors to your daily fleabay search, you may get lucky.
Otherwise free/cheap AOD and
'Ford 429/ 460 to AOD adapter $795.00
http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Ford%20429-460.htm
If this pic is the kit someone on the board has to be able to whittle this out of stock?
http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Pics/DCP_0101.JPG

Didn't old ford school buses come with Allison 4speeds? take it out of the wifes bus and swap in your C6!
Jon
 
"Jonk67" said:
I was afraid to read any further....
Click to expand...
why, what do you do in an empty hotel room? :hide nevermind, I don't want to know!

The SROD is supposed to be a toploader. I know the aluminum case might not be the strongest option but the iron case should be the same as a toploader. Maybe the gears aren't as strong?

An AOD used is pricey, ~$700 and the adapter, $795 then I need a converter, crossmember, drive shaft, etc and it's still an automatic. If that's my only option I'm not against it. The AOD is only 2.40 in 1st but the 4R70W is 2.84 and the gears will fit an AOD case.

I'm just thinking the cost to convert to a manual will be expensive enough. I will need clutch pedals, bell, flywheel, linkage, etc. The toploader uses the same crossmember as a C4 and the same drive shaft. A used SROD can be had fairly cheap ~$100. So my expense would be in flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing, etc. etc.

the SROD OD ratios seem to vary but all around the .80 number which would be nice with a 3.70 rear end.

A gear venders would be nice too but again to get the most fun per mile I would really like a manual. If I am going to spend a lot of money and do the work I want three pedals!
 
Swap the 5.0/T5 combo with EFI in the car and have more spending money on the tour, laugh all the way to Texas.....
 
"Fast68back" said:
Swap the 5.0/T5 combo with EFI in the car and have more spending money on the tour, laugh all the way to Texas.....
Click to expand...
that would be the easiest way!

If I do go with a manual (toploader type) on the BBF here are some of the things I will need...
Clutch linkage kit for 429 in a 67, $499.99 + $15 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1967-1970-429-460-FORD-MUSTANG-CLUTCH-LINKAGE-KIT-/390173755613?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ad82b08dd#ht_590wt_952
Clutch kit, includes throw out bearing, pilot bearing, clutch disc and pressure plate. $186.59 free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-1987-Ford-F250-F350-7-5L-460cid-V8-New-OE-Stock-Clutch-Kit-/130485565820?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e618bb97c#ht_2248wt_1185
used bell housing, $188.99 + 39.98 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-Ford-mustang-truck429-460-bellhousing-race-rat-rod-/180777331949?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a172b2ced#ht_500wt_1202
used flywheel, $125 + 43.58 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-460-Engine-Truck-Flywheel-Super-Duty-4x4-/130620713769?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e6999eb29#ht_500wt_1202
reconditioned clutch pedal assembly, $249.95 + $28 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-67-68-MUSTANG-SHELBY-ELEANOR-OEM-CLUTCH-BRAKE-PEDAL-SET-RECONDITIONED-/180783881729?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a178f1e01#ht_500wt_1202

So that's just under $1,200 with out the trans. I think a C4 trans crossmember and driveshaft will work with the TL.
I found a rebuilt iron case trans for $650 + $117.03 shipping and $250 core charge
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-RUG-3Spd-Overdrive-2WD-TRANSMISSION-/180686839114?hash=item2a11c65d4a&item=180686839114&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_969
That puts the cost around $2400 (about the cost of just a TKO)
I know I still need a clutch fork, shifter, motor plate and probably some other things but you get the idea...
 
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