Good point. Can you do some prelim work on the mill, maybe on a rotary table or spin indexer to get the hub machined? Then bolt that up to the adaptor in the lathe?

 

That's exactly what we have to do.
You should be a machinist!!!

1st operation will be on the mill, face the material, drill holes for the crank bolts, drill and tap for pressure plate holes.
2nd op will be bolt material using the pressure plate holes to a face plate in the lathe and machine block side.
3rd op, flip and machine flywheel face and recess in the middle.
4th op, add balance weight and spin to confirm correct imbalance.
5th op, install ring gear
6th op, surface grind flywheel face.

In theory...

 

LOL! One of the things I like about machine work is the chess-like game of figuring out how to do the work. And that includes not removing the work from the machine, lathe or mill, as it'll never go back the same way. (Yes, I know that with a 4-jaw chuck you can dial it in, but....) So, there's a lot of planning before any chips fly.

 

I was unaware that you couldn't use the 351/400 flywheel with the 460 ZF5. Good to know

 

I am starting a list of people interested in a billet flywheel for the ZF5 conversion. Email me @ fordmachinist@gmail.com if your interested.

 

I have a 4wd ZF5-s42 from a 95 460 truck if anyone is interested

 

Picked up a ZF5 trans so we can start to mock up and try our adapter and re-drilled flywheel.

 

Yup, that looks like mine. Good start.

 

I want to see the results.


Also, how long would you run the prototype before you decide it is road worthy to market? I would be scared to just go by the math and theory without battle testing it.

 

Well, Brandon, mine ran to Delaware and back, plus lots of other miles with nary a problem. Probably a total of 5,000 miles. But there's nothing to go wrong, really. The flywheel will be positioned in the 460's original position, and take the 460's clutch and pressure plate. So, as long as it is machined accurately so it runs true, and is well balanced, it'll work.

 

This is a great solution guys!


Been driving the wheels off of my 'ol 78. Ran 75 MPH down the highway at about 2600 rpm today with my 35" tires and 4.88 gears. Still makes me smile to be able to shift the stick up and to the right going down the highway.


I have had zero issues related to the way I installed my ZF5 and probably have around 10-12k miles on it, many of those miles are flogging on it pretty hard.


I have about 3/8" of engagement into my 460 style pilot bearing.


That said, Building a "swap specific" flywheel will make things so much easier for the next guy.


Go for it Tim & I'll help spread the word, plus if I ever have to pull my trans again I would be willing to "upgrade" to your flywheel.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...f-5-400-a.html


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...i-400-etc.html

 

Have there been any updates on this TMI flywheel? I may be doing a Ford 400 rebuild to put in my '73 Hiboy and would absolutely LOVE to throw in a ZF-5 at the same time! It would sure be nice to buy all the parts at the same place.

 

I am curious if there is a way to adapt the shift stick from a NP435 to use on the ZF. From the pics I've seen of the ZF installed, I am not a fan of the look of the ZF stick.

 

The ZF stick bolts onto a stub sticking out of the gearbox.
I'm sure you could cut and weld the two together.
There is a ZF swap thread where the owner made his own from bar stock

 

As you can see from Tim's pic, the ZF stick attaches via two bolts. So you could saw the NP, or any other, stick off and weld on a flat piece with the necessary holes. Having done that, you'll then have to figure out how to adapt the ZF's **** to the NP, or other, stick. Or, those who attempt to drive the truck will do bad things to the tranny.