So I came across a 76 camper special F350 today that I was thinking of buying, swapping some parts with my 78 and then turning around and selling. My question though is it has a 390 and 4 speed (not sure about granny gear or not yet) I'm looking for the 4 speed to put on the 460 in my supercab and I'm pretty sure it will swap over bolt for bolt but would it make more sense to put it on the 460 or leave it on the 390 for gas mileage issues? I know these 70's fords are best friends with gas stations no matter what engine they have but right now mileage is an issue for me, at least until the summer. The F350 will have a C6 auto trans when I finish with it if I buy it.

I'm also wondering on what you guys think the value of the 76 F350 would be. Right now the owner is asking $2400 obo which seemed a little cheap to me. It's not in perfect shape but looks decent, here is the ad, 1976 Ford F350 Camper Special

 

It's a fair price for the truck, but I'd think you could find something a little more beat up and cheaper if you're basically just wanting it for the trans & maybe the motor?? Also, a 460 & 390 have a different trans bell housing. If it were me, I'd find a beat up rough 77-79 with a 351m/400 and 4 SPd trans, then part out useable parts. The 351m,400,460,429 engines share the same bell housing.

 

in my opinion that truck has potential hard to find them that good buy it flip it then use money for parts truck dont destroy a decent start for a great resto

 

Basically I'm looking for the tranny, I hate autos with a passion. I may have a buddy of mine who will buy it if I swap out the transmission for the C6 in my 78. The only other thing I know I would swap from just looking at pictures is the mirrors since I'm looking for some of those west coast style mirrors or whatever they are called. It's hard to find much of anything in my area for these trucks that aren't beat beyond value or have what I'm looking for, most of them are autos or the ones with manuals people want to much haha.

I was told before that it is possible to get interchangeable bell housings for these trannys so could I get a 460 manual bell housing or would that not work? The guy who told me that also said the 390 bell housing would fit a 1976 460 block.

 

I agree with ya on the hating autos,,, but you will NOT get the C6 from a 460 to bolt to a 390,,,,, as stated earlier,, if you want a 4 speed,, find a 78/79 with a 351M/400 backed by the NP435,,,bolt in swip/swap,,, 390 is an FE block and completely different everything,,,

 

Ford did not offer the 460 w/a M/T until 1983 (F250/350 only). All 1983/97 F250/350 460's have a hydraulic clutch.

C6 installed behind FE engines will not work with any other engine size.

No FE bell housing will bolt to a 429, 460 and etc.

 

Ok that's good to know thanks. I guess I may just swap over the whole deal then 460 and auto to the 76 and 390 with manual to the 78 if I buy it or look for the 351m or 400. I'm more concerned about mileage, even if I can get a couple more miles that's fine but either way it's a brick rolling into the wind and I'm not buying something like a prius haha.