Has anyone out there adapted a 3spd od manual trans from a late 70's ford pickup? I have a 78 f150 with that trans and a 302 in it, I want to keep the flathead in my 53 for now but would like to see if I could swap in the trans, the overdrive would be a great addition to the 3.73 rear that I swapped in earlier.

Thanks in advance for any and all ideas.

Bob G

 

I believe only transmitions from inline six Fords will fit 240 & 300.
I always liked the T-5 transmitions swap.

 

If what you have is an srod trans that is a 4speed with 4th being overdrive it is a good swap into the flathead. I have seen articles covering it but can't find one right now. If I come up with more info I will post it.
I think it will almost bolt up in place of the pickup 4 speed.
I would like to come up with one to try.

 

52 F3 thanks for the reply, the one I have is a 4 speed with 4th being overdrive. I'm thinking that the only way I will know will be to start taking things apart and taking some measurements. Got some other things that I have to finish first so I'll just keep looking for more info.

Thanks again and have a great day.

Bob G

 

I pulled this from a thread on the H.A.M.B. I will try to post a link to the thread also.

Mike, there is another way. The Ford SROD 3speed + overdrive trans from a 1977-81 Ford truck is a great choice for the 8BA flattie with its removeable bell housing. The truck SROD comes with internal linkage and is drilled for the early narrow bolt pattern on your bell housing. You keep your pressure plate and flywheel, all you change are the throwout bearing and the clutch disc. With this trans you have a 3.07 low gear and a 20% overdrive. The shifter comes out right behind the main case so it will clear your seat and you must use the stock SROD shifter. The shifter handle can be heated and bent and it is 24" long. It can handle any torque the flattie will put out but can be weak behind a 400 HP engine. Hope this helps you.

Intro and Ford Transmission Question - THE H.A.M.B.

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ive always was told that a column shift from a I6 from '64 1/2 up to '78 (im planning this for my 53) Has to be from an I6 as the input shafts are longer than on the v8's. If you keep the stock drive shaft you will have to cut it down. Im not really sure if the donor truck's driveshaft is the correct length or not. Other than that its supposed to bolt right up and may have to shange the clutch etc. I can find out from my flatty parts guy on tuesday for sure as he did the swap for his sons truck (also a 53 ford)

 

These are 4 speed OD transmissions. Calling them 3 + od is confusing as there is a 3 + OD set up with the 3 on the tree and the electric od out back....

Anyway, there are several flavors of these.

The SROD has the internal shifter. There are also side shifted (much like the old performance top loader, on which these are patterned) and a top shifted version as well. First up on this list.

Domestic Truck Tranny Guide

2nd to 3rd is the grand canyon, otherwise, 1st-2nd is good, the 3rd to 4th great.

 

Well after looking at the Domestic Truck Tranny Guide and crawling under the 78 what I have is a SMOD transmission. The shift linkage is located on the outside of the transmission. Now what I need to do is to see if I can find the measurements, hole placement on the trans and bell housing and go from there, my guess is that I'm going to have to take things apart to do that with any accuracy.

Thanks to everyone for the info and links.

Have a great evening.....

Bob G

 

As the owner of one of these fine jewels behind a 300, if I was you AND the '78 ran ok, I'd leave it alone.

For the Flattie I'd bite the (now lead-free) bullet and go T-5.

That is, of course, what I would do if I were spending your money....