Alright guys im sure this has been answer a few times but I cannot find the exact answers I am looking for so here goes. Im looking to see what everyone's clutch/bellhousing setup is, I currently am trying to figure out the right setup with mine. I have a 73 f100 4x4 (np435) im currently doing the 460 swap. I have a 460 that is externally balanced. I had my whole rotating assembly balanced by my machinist so im stuck using my 460 flywheel. My question is what bellhousing clutch setup can I use to make this all work. I have a clutchmasters diaphragm style clutch from my 390, but ive heard that that will not fit into the standard 400 bellhousing. Ive also heard of people using spacers to make it all work but that is with a 390 flywheel which I cannot use. I have a aluminum 460 bellhousing which I heard is deeper, but how do I adapt the clutch fork to work with the manual clutch? Is there anyone that makes a swap bellhousing to make this all work?

Heres the truck it originally had a 390

 

As you have posted, there are any number of combinations that can be made to work. It sounds like you want the solution that will work correctly and not give you any grief.

The last FE to 460 manual trans swap I did was in 1977. I do remember I bought all the pieces from Ford, since there was nothing available in the wrecking yards. I had even looked in the medium truck wrecking yards for pieces off a 370/429 truck. The other specifics are a bit (?) hazy but I do know I encountered a difference in bell housing depths I had to address.

I would suggest using a clutch and bell housing assembly from a '79 and newer (external balance) 460 truck. There will undoubtedly be some fabrication / modification necessary for the clutch linkage.

I am sure there are many menbers here that have the information you are after, and will eventually share their knowledge.

Good luck.

Roger Carter

 

Find a 400 bell housing and clutch fork from another dent. It will bolt to your tranny and motor and the clutch linkage will hook right up.

 

I agree with 1972 RedNeck
I put 76 lincon 460 in my 65 f250 4x4 using a 460 flywheel and a 351m bell housing from a 77 dent to a NP435.
And like Roger says, check the bell housing height. Bolt a dent 351m, 400 or 460 bell (cast iron) housing to the motor with out the clutch and measure from the pilot bearing to trans mating surface to ensure the input shaft will be the correct length.

Another thing to look for on the bell housings is the different numer of teeth available on the fly wheel. I probably have this backwards but I think the earlier flywheels have fewer teeth - smaller diameter. You have to match the flywheel for the correct bell housing or the starter either jams up or doesn't reach the ring gear. I may be thinking windsors where there are something like 157 teeth vs 164 or 184. Can't remember but the bottom line is the bell housing positions the starter to the ring gear- they have to match.

RedNeck, my 65 had that same stock color, it's now blue.. Do you know the name of that color?

 

Caribbean turquoise. The driver's door is light blue.

 

Sound about right. I never really knew. I couldn't tell the door was blue.

My apology to the original poster for hijacking, I saw a picture and had to ask.

 

I copied this thread

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/764006-460-swap.html

 

I swapped a '68 429 thunderjet into my '74 highboy. I used a 351m bellhousing, a 390 flywheel that I had redrilled to accept a 400m 12" "finger" style clutch (not a diaphragm), and I made my own motor mounts from mounts for a 74? thunderbird with a 460. This was the setup I used because my engine was internally balanced. I didn't run in to too much trouble. For an externally balanced 460, try to find an early 80's pickup that has a 460 and a 4 speed. They are out there, my neighbor had one for as long as I can remember.

I don't know of a way to use an aluminum bell and get away from the hydraulic clutch.. I'm not on my laptop, or else I would post a few very useful websites I found while doing my swap. I'll try to report back in a few days and get those links up for you.

 

Thats an awesome write up, but I have a couple questions, what clutch fork did you use in the bellhousing? was that from a 86 f250 with a 460 or whatever?

 

Oldblue, you state that you have a 460 flywheel. Where did you get it? Is it a stock replacement? For what year? From personal experience I can tell you that using a flywheel from an 80s model ford and the 351/400 cast iron bellhousing will not work. The bellhousing is too short and it screws up the angle of the clutch fork on the pressure plate fingers. You say you have an aluminum bellhousing. I would look and see what has to be done to use it. By that I mean is it set up for a manual style of clutch rod, or is it hydraulic? If you want to keep the manual setup, you will have to modify the bellhousing for the fulcrum (or pivot) that the fork actuates on. I am not really familiar with the aluminum versions and could be very wrong, but I think the aluminum versions were specifically set up to run hydraulic slave cylinders.

 

I used the stock fork (from an 85 f250), extended the stock push rod and drilled a hole in the fork for the return spring

Truck is still in process right now so i haven't driven with it yet. It definitely engages the clutch but the pedal is hard to push.

I have been trying to find some information about possibly using a different pressure plate, but havent found any good info. the PP on the 360 only had 3 fingers on it vs the 20+ fingers on the hydro PP on my 460.

Good luck

 

This -> 1973-1979 Ford Truck 460 V-8 Swap

And this.. -> 75 Highboy..changing FE to BBF...spacer for bellhousing? - 460 Ford Forum

Mainly I used the first link when I did my swap.. Although like I said previously, my engine was internally balanced.. Hope something in there helps you out, lots of good info in those links.

 

What pilot bearing did you end up using just a regular 460 pilot bearing? 302 bearing or what?

 

I did this convertion in my 78f250 years ago. You need a 400 bell housing, a 390 flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. I used a brass pilot bushing that I had machined to fit deeper into the crank thus allowing no need for any shimming plates.

 

yeah i just used the 460 bearing. My truck came with the stock t-19 trans so i was able to compare the input shafts of that and the np435. They are exactly the same.