Last Sunday (while 100+ miles from home) I noticed a '61 F100 setting in the back of a tow/impound yard with a for sale sign on it. I wrote down the number, and called to inquire about the trucks condition. The owner of the yard said that the truck had a 302 HD "y-block" but no transmission. I have not been able to physically look under the hood, and while I'm a ford guy most of my vehicles have been mustangs, cougars, falcons & comets. As such I'm not that familar with this engine. What I need to know before I go back to take a closer look at the truck, and most likely buy it, is what transmissions will bolt right up to the motor. Do all of the y-block transmissions bolt right up?

Thanks for any info,

Squaresquire

 

If it really is the 302 HD they were used in larger trucks. F-600 and above. Most likely a T-98 four speed from the same era will fit, and the updated T18/T19 should fit. Check the pilot bearing sizes....

 

If it is truly a 302 truck block it is a dog for anything but low end torque and parts are unobtanium. The same goes with its brother the 332.
These are both based on the Lincoln 52-6 Y Block.

OTOH if it is a 292 HD then its a good find. These are car blocks with a forged crank and HD rods that were used in 61-4 F600's.

Best bet is to get a block casting ID or off the intake.

There were three 3 spds offered, 2 side shifters and a floor box over the Y block era. One of the best trannies of the era was the Ford built 9 bolt case top loader, bullet proof and was available from the 300 six up to the 427 FE. The one with a 5 bolt top case is weak. Up thru 64 they had one bolt pattern, 65 had a wide pattern drilled as well and after that just the wide. Lots of interchangability as well as different 1st gear ratios. Most aftermarket floor shifters will work with this as it is originally a column shifter.
All the tag ID codes are in Hollanders and I have all those books so can decipher for you.


The 4 spd is actually a 3 spd with a granny 1st gear in the 6:1 ratio range; 2nd is the same as first in a regular 3spd.

 

Hmmm, I thought the HD302s took the
same pistons as the 312,
Doh, I must have been dreaming, the bore is
3 5/8"...
but you're right,
they are a bit of a dog when it comes to
performance...

 

Thanks for your replys, I got a brief second look at the truck, but I still haven't been able to I.D. the motor. It just looks like a y-block to me (292). The valve covers look just like the valve covers on a friends 57 ford ranch wagon. The truck is straight and everything looks stock (un-molested), I'm most likely going to pick it up this Friday, and worry about 302 vs. 292 once I get it home. Any input on any 3-speed automatics that will bolt up to it?

Thanks,

Squaresquire