T-18 out, ZF 5-47 in.
 

Howdy folks,
On an engine that has a small block Ford bolt pattern and formerly had a T-18 4 speed in place, will a ZF 5-47 Windsor pattern tranny be a direct bolt up.
I know that I'll need the hydraulic clutch bits, am wondering about the length of main shaft engagement.
Any body know for sure?
Thanks,
Pat Patrick

Yes. All that matters is that the engine and tranny are of the same smallblock pattern 289, 300, 302, 351w,etc. You will need a clutch for the ZF.

Just so you are aware, the S5-47's are set up for trucks with electronic speedometers. The S5-42 is available with a provision for a mechanical speedometer. Check out this website: http://www.zf-group.com/am/pc/lt/ampclt03.phtml .

Thanks for the info. guys. Much appreciated. Now I can set out on the hunt for a good deal on a ZF S5-42.
FTE Rocks,
Pat

They usually aren't cheap, a good used ones goes for $800 -$1000 usually.

Figured they'd cost something like that but I want to put it behind a Cummins 4BTA in a '79 Bronco and having the strength plus the overdrive, appeals to me. Friends have driven them quite a bit and apparently they are a nice shifting tranny, last well and don't seem to have much in the way of downside other than size and price.
Regards,
Pat

Probably a dumb question, but are you doing this to a 4x4 or 2x4 Bronco. Reason I ask is I have a ZF for a 2WD. Another member has expressed interest in it but if the deal falls through, I might have your parts.

Hey Pat,

Not to intrude on your fabrication happyness, but wouldn't it be easier to use an NV4500 or NV5600 with the 4BTA? Heck, even a clark should fit... those engines were used in everything from military trucks to pickups to backhoes!

BTW, a cummins Bronco is a fun idea...

I saw video footage a while ago (on the net) of a guy who pulled a 13 or 14 second quarter mile with a turbo cummins Ford Superduty crewcab with huge offroad tires... very cool stuff.

The ZF is a great tranny, the ZF-42 is rated to 420ft/lbs of TQ. I would use the NV also.

Seems like a lot of folks figure that the NV4500 would be a better move than the ZF - 542. The reason that I'm thinking of the ZF is that:
1: the adaptor on the Cummins is for a small block Ford.
2: Some folks that have driven both have said that they found the ZF
to be a much nicer tranny to use. Don't know this myself, just going on
what they had to say.
3. Somewhere along the line it got cemented in my mind that I'd be having
spline difference problems with the NV4500.

All this stuff is subject to change, seeing as how when I built my '79F-250 4X4 I started out with the idea of a 300 6 and a 4 speed and ended up with a 460 & c-6 (Happy, happy, joy, joy.)

I'm all ears. The motor is bought and on the way but the rest is still in the planning stages. All I have now for the project is a paid for motor with all the necessary bits on the motor to make that all work, produce 12 volt, power vacuum brakes and that's about as far as I've got.
Nice thing about FTE is that all that you have to do is be willing and there's a ton of VERY clever folks that will give you a hand, a boot in the bum and congrats when your done.
Whew!! Long winded this one was.
Feel free with any suggestions, like I said I've got the motor, want a daily driver Big Bronco and the rest is yet to come.
And yes it will be 4WD.
Regards,
Pat

If you already have the ZF adapter, go with the ZF, you will not be disappointed. The very strong NP 205 transfercase can be bolted up to the ZF with little effort.

Since you are installing the ZF in a 4x4 then your speedo cable is mounted in the 203/205 case.

the s5-47 is rated for a little more torque than the s5-42. If you use the t-case with speedo you could use that tranny. I dunno ... I was just wondering about the torque of that cummings vs. a zf tranny. There are quite a few different variations of the zf from gas to diesel so make sure you get the right one if you go that way.

If that's the case your decision is made! I guess I assumed incorrectly the CUmmins would probably have the Dodge/NV pattern. The ZF is a great tranny, you'll enjoy it. It's fairly abusable too.

I think it is... my F350 has the original ZF in it for about 339K miles... and it still shifts nice and has minimum slop. Every gear works and it doesn't stick going in or out any gear. It's starting to whine a little, but that's not unreasonable considering the mileage. I often shift it without the clutch (except going into first or second from a stand-still) too.

Like you, I've always been interested in converting my vehicle (F350 crewcab) to cummins diesel, but here emissions laws (NJ) doesn't allow for that. Otherwise, I would have. So instead, I'm building a 500cid twin turbo stroker. I'll "suffer" with this combination :)

Do know the front frame of the Bronco is probably going to have to be reinforced, at least boxed, to avoid flexing, if you're going to build up that motor in any way.

We may be into another Forum with frame discussion but when it comes to boxing the frame, would you suggest a bolted in boxing of the frame? I'm nervous to do any welding on the frame or get flame near it. Maybe unwarrented but that's the way I've always looked at frames.

I think that the 4BTA should be pretty much enough power for my intended uses. A "500cid twin turbo stroker" it's not but if I do turn it up, I'm thinking that I won't be turning it up very much. 150 h.p. should scoot a Bronco down the highway just fine. And if I get nuts I can jump in the F-250 and get down on that 460 and stuff does begin to happen very quickly.

Thanks
Pat