Hello I have a 1983 F-250 with a 460 c6 trans and i have recently picked up a 94 zf 5 speed w/stock 94 flywheel from a 460 motor, My question is will there be any balance issues with the motor putting the flywheel from a 94 on it and also in 83 did the trucks have mecanical linkage or hydrolic clutch actuation for the clutch pedal. what would be my best route to go with for pedals for my truck. Thanks I am doing this because I need it to pull a 24ft enclosed car hauler and my c6 is going south on me and also wanted the benifits of the overdrive. Thanks

 

I've done the ZF5 swap on several trucks, both big block and small block.All 460 '79 and later are external balance so that flywheel is fine. '83 was z-bar linkage and in '84 they went hydraulic. This swap is as simple as cutting the hole in the firewall (use a hole saw for the master and drill for the two bolts. I also recommend getting the firewall reinforcement kit from Ford as these early firewalls were not made with a hydraulic clutch in mind and WILL CRACK eventually with a heavy pressure plate. You want Ford part # E3TZ-7K509-A which is about $20 shipped.

Aside from that the big block ZF5 (4x4 application) is same length as a C6 and will require no driveline modifications. Can't comment on 2wd swaps. You will need to modify the plate onyour trans tunnel where the shifter is, or find one out of a newer ZF5 truck and cut a hole for your NP208 shifter.

This is a piece of cake swap pretty much a direct bolt in. If you have any questions let me know.

 

Thankyou for that, you cleared up all the questions I have at the moment with the swap. Just trying to get as much knowlage about it before I jump with both feet into it.

 

I'm fixin to put a 460 in my '92 F250 that currently has a 7.3L Diesel in it with a ZF 5-speed....It looks like the bellhousing bolt pattern is identical...however I have heard that the dowel pin locations are different on the diesel motors, is this correct? How hard is it to modify it to fit? And why in the **** didn't ZF make these transmissions with removable bellhousings??? lol

 

I've never done any diesel ZF swaps or even seen a diesel ZF5 off the engine. Rumor is they are the same shape, just different locations for the holes. Supposedly you can drill holes in the appropriate locations and use one of the other. If the dowel pins are not in the axact same location though, you must take care to ensure the hellhousing is perfectly aligned to the crankshaft centerline, otherwise funny wear can occur on your input shaft bearing and pilot bearing.

 

I am thinking of doing a c6 to zf5 swap in my 87 ford f250 with a 460. What all would I need to do this and how much could I do it all for? I am a senior in high school and looking for a good project to do on my truck and would love a manual. Thanks cadunkle !

 

You can use a 460 ZF on a diesel by drilling out the holes. Going the other way, diesel trans to 460, you would need some sort of bushing on the dowel pin holes to make the larger holes work with the smaller 460 dowels. I have seen write-ups on drilling out the 460, never seen one to go the other way. Just remember the dowel pins are responsible for making sure your pilot shaft is centered properly, the bolt holes don't really matter so much.

 

Hello cadunkle. I read your post, was wondering if you can help me a bit. I have a 83 f-250 with a 7.5 gas 460, c6, 2wd. If I swap to the zf 5 speed, is there a specific year of pedal assembly I would need? The early 80s looks a bit different from the late 80s early 90s, at least what I see online. I'm trying to figure out all the different parts I'd need to swap, figure I'll have to get the driveshaft shortened a bit from what I see. If I get the right zf, pedal assembly, a rockauto flywheel and clutch assembly, I think I need to figure out whether mechanical or hydraulic linkage, think hydraulic would be nicer if it's not too complicated. Thanks for any help.

Matt