hey guys. i got a question for you. recently i did a solid axle swap on my truck, and now with the added load, my trans is done. currently i have the 5 spd mazda trans. ive already went and pulled a heavy duty zf5 transmission out of a 88 f250. my truck is a 95 f150. now i know that from 88-95 the transmissions in the 250's and 350's were the same. ive got the swap all squared away for my truck. transmission is prepped and looking fresh. slave cylinder is ready, and will be resurfacing the flywheel. all i need to know is what clutch kit to buy. my truck is a 95 f150 with the 4.9. the donor truck is a 88 f250 with a 5.8. i know the trans will work, because the bellhousings are the same for those two engines. i just need to know what years clutch i need to buy, and for which engine. thanks in advance guys.

 

since the sixes were also in the f-250s i'd think you would want a clutch for that.

 

ok...so if thats the case should i get one for a 88 or a 95.? anyone who has done the swap have any advice?

 

I'm not aware of any changes from 88 to 95 that would effect that. I would buy one for the 88 to be safe though. When you buy a slave cylinder don't buy one from advance auto. Basically you don't want the one with the "new advanced quick disconnect clip." What ever you do make sure you get the original style one that you need that fork type tool to get off.

 

The master cylinder piston diameter changed somewhere around '93. An older slave cylinder will not work with a newer master cylinder. I also suggest a genuine Ford slave cylinder for the best longevity.

I don't think it changed, but I would get a clutch for your '95 300 (you're using its flywheel, right?). It should fit the transmission without any problem at all.

 

get the 11in clutch for a 95 F250 4.9L... it will last longer than the 10in especially if you are towing or hauling

 

im not concerned about the master cylinder...im going to get the slave for a 88 because thats what the trans came out of. now this is getting confusing...some are saying get the clutch for a 95 with my motor, and others are saying otherwise.

 

Go to RockAuto Auto Parts and use their interactive parts catalog and compare the pieces between the different years, you will find that there are basically 2 options, a 10" and an 11" clutch. Both types use a diaphram style pressure plate. When I did the ZF swap in my F25o last year I went with an 11" clutch, it bolted directly to my flywheel, the flywheel was drilled for both pressure plates.

 

I just completed this swap although mine is 2WD. I put an 88 ZF from a 5.8 F250 into a 96 F150 4.9L. I bought a Ford slave cylinder for the 96 and bought the 11 inch clutch as others have stated flywheel is drilled for either.

 

If the master cylinder is a '95, you will need a slave out of a '95 also. The change in master cylinder bore diameter changes the amount of fluid moved over the stroke of the clutch pedal, which will then change the distance the slave cylinder extends. I don't remember if Ford got bigger or smaller on the master cylinder, but either way, the '88 slave cylinder will not work properly with the newer master cylinder.

firewood truck has a good suggestion for comparing part numbers between the years, and that would also be useful for the slave cylinder (and master cylinder) to verify the change and to make sure you have parts that will work with one another.