they offered me a zf 5 speed from a 94 diesel f350 4x4 for $200 ,is there an adapter bellhousing for this conversion or should i keep looking for a nv4500?thanks!

 

Keep looking for the NV4500. I can't lay claim to knowing everything, but have never seen an adaptor or anyone claim to put a ZF of any stripe behind an FE in my limited travels here and searching elsewhere.

http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...ear/nv4500.htm

They also have an OD that fits between the bell and trans.

 

Supposedly there is a ZF-FE adapter sold on that high-impact site. You can check with Quicktime and see if they have a bellhousing. I know they have the T-54 to FE bell and the ZF transaxle versions. Besides the toploader, T5 and Tremec 500-600.

 

I didn't search the whole site, but I looked a the conversions, other trans, etc, and nothing. As for a Quicktime or other fine brand bell, that would be great except the ZF has an integral bell.

 

This just recently came up on another website's forum and yes, there is an adapter...
http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss.../zf_5&6spd.htm

Alvin in AZ

 

Fair enough, the SAY there is an adaptor. No picture, no part number, no price.

I went to Advance Adaptors, nothing for the ZF to FE. Almost everything else, and lots of NV4500.

The OP should just contact the High Impact folks--if they say it, maybe it exists and they can provide one in the flesh.

 

Sounds like a plan. ;)

Since the hydraulic clutch slave mechanism is self-contained on the ZF,
that part is taken care of, no fabrication needed so it's just a matter of
getting it bolted down and -straight-, right? Wrong? :) The integral bell housing sucks on one hand but works in your favor on the the other.

I've never seen an adapter plate but I picture, with patience, thought
and a dial indicator(! ;) a guy should be able to make one. ??

Anybody on here ever make one? :)
Am I dumber than I sound? LOL :)

Alvin in AZ
ps- dammit FTE makes the fan on my computer run on high! :(

 

Like I said earlier, never seen one. Not sure about input shaft issue, or starter issues, a couple of deal-killers when dealing with adapting on your own methinks. Could be done, if it hasn't been done already.

All the propaganda points towards the NV4500, which is a stronger trans than the ZF.

If the OP would simply send me bank and credit card info, I could solve this issue for him, and several others as well.

 

You don't want the ZF OR the NV4500, they're both crap. The ZFs just aren't that sturdy, you need an adapter, and ZFs are usually exspensive. The NV4500 is just a NP435 with overdrive in the tail housing. That is nice to have the overdrive, but the rpm drop between gears still sucks. Why not look at the Clark 280 series ? Personally, I reccommend the 285V and 285VHD. The clarks are available behind the FT series, and are easy to find and they, with their FT bell, will bolt right on. Whats not to like ? DinosaurFan

 

Wow you sure sound like you know all there is to know about it. :)
How about posting the numbers and tell us what axle ratio you'd
use behind that Clark to simulate overdrive. ;)

I was given a Clark282 and 361FT and went over the numbers
already, it didn't look good to me, maybe I missed something? ;)

Alvin in AZ
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/C700Clark.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/C700-7.jpg

 

Clark Transmissions for sale at Wm. Cohen & Sons, Inc., heavy truck parts, truck salvage

they have many to choose from which model do you like?will this transmission have the same clutch fork position as the np435?

 

dinosaur fan check out this ones.
http://www.acmeequip.com/detailview....rchnum=3264675


this guys dont charge for a core thats good.and they are in california ,closer to me ,thats even better.

 

What is the Clark 285V an were can I find it? Also will a 6speed manual trans work with the 360/390 FE engine?

 

Nik, that looks fine. You'll need an FT bell and clutch fork, and an FT flywheel ( you'll have to rebalance it ) . But for a freshly rebuilt trans, not bad.

Kalve, the clark 285V is a member of the clark 280 series of transmsiions that has 6.99/4.09/2.35/1.47/1.00 gears in it. The clark series 280 was designed in the mid 1960s and was used behind all sorts of engnes, Fords and many many others. You'll find Clarks in 1&1/2 ton or heavier trucks. The Clark 280 series is still made today, under the Eaton brand, so parts, if you need them, are very available. A six speed would be fine, if you find one that bolts to the FE or FT bells. DinosaurFan, at his Dad's house