A friend has an old 76 Econoline E250 2wd Van with a 3 speed transmission. It used to shift on the column but has been rigged for some reason to shift on the floor. The engine in it appears to be a 300-6.

What are the chances that transmission would work in my 65 F100 2wd? My truck has a 240-6 and came originally with a 3 on the tree. It was converted to a 4 on the floor years ago and ive always thought I'd like to have the 3 speed back in.

 

I can't imagine any reason why it wouldn't bolt up. I also can't imagine why someone would swap in another transmission that didn't shift it's own gears.


John

 

I've only been around here a few days but I've been researching similar ideas. I have a 240 (or 300, still unsure) with a manual 3 speed. Most of what I find is talk of the column shift binding and how bad the floor shifters suck.
I am waiting for a shifter myself so it is very hard to shift but my opinion is that first isn't as low as I would like it to be. Obviously there is no overdrive. Other than the cool factor of column shifting (which is fine with me if mine had all the parts) and originality (If the truck Isn't already modified) there really isn't much appeal.
Unless you have a car 4 speed you are probably skipping 1st most of the time already so it wouldn't be much different.

 

Yepper...I do follow John's wisdom that a full grown truck aught to be able to shift itself. And I have a C6 that Ive been planning to put in someday. But it needs an overhaul and I dont have the budget for it right now. Dont know what it costs down there but a simple bench O/H on a C6 up here in Alaska seems to run over $1000.

Then there is the whole "steering column conundrum". I have the stuff from a 79 F150 to do the disc brake and power steering upgrade. But things get really confusing when it comes to steering column compatibility.

Im having an adventure with 2 blown out discs in my neck this summer so not supposed to be doing anything like working on a vehicle. So Im tinkering with the 300-6 out of the 79 F150 to see if I can get it running on a pallet. If it checks out, it might be doable to hang a 3 speed on the back and stick it in the truck. My 240 runs great but has low oil pressure so Im trying to get something ready to replace it. We're hoping to put the house up for sale soon and I dont want a dead truck to move.

 

The column has to match the steering gear, 79 would have had the Saginaw. Ouch on overhauls in Alaska.

It is best to do all of swapping at the same time. If your truck is a 240/300 you can use an AOD.


John

 

So I also held on to the column from the 79 donor truck. Correct me if Im wrong (and I know you will) but it sounds like the least amount of head scratching is obtained by just sticking with the C6 transmission and doing it at the same time as the PS upgrade, finishing it off with the 79 donor column that's already the correct length for the Saginaw gear box.

Of course all this will have to occur after I sell my first born child to the nice sterile couple down the street and what's left of my liver to medical science.

 

Yes sir, Column needs to work with both steering gear and transmission. Doing it all at one time simplifies things.


John

 

Where in our great state are you Bud. I can overhaul a C6 in
my sleep while drunk and sell it with a warranty $100 over
the cost of a master kit. Maybe I can help.

 

Im up in the Matsu. Looks like youre down on the panhandle. It would probably cost a fortune to ship it back and forth.