transmission help
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
transmission help
i have and old 389 in my truck and i wanna get a manuel tranny for it because i hate the hydomatic one, now i know its not ford but its goin in a 56 ford so i thought it would be ok to help me.(o and its only till i get out off college and rebuild a 351w) so i was wonderin what brands the tranny could be what years that sort of theng. Basically i need to know what to look for to get anew tranny, by the way its like a 65 389. i really need the tranny before i can start the body work so what do i do?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,188
Likes: 4,792
From: Burbank, WA
Or if you want an extra gear, both Borg-Warner T-10's and Muncie 4 speeds were normal fare behind GM engines of that period. They're both readily available, but be sure you have plenty of green in your wallet. Neither go cheap.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
just wonderin cause my dads friend has a 6o's ford 4 speed that he said i could have is there any way i could use that for the 389 maybe with an adaptor and if so where could i find one or no cause i really cant spend 2k on a tranny
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
If you have the correct bellhousing it's a direct bolt up or you can get an adapter.
GM used the Ford 3 Speed during the Muscle car wars because they didn't have one that would hold up to the power - they had a good 4 speed.
A bunch of people ordered their Muscle cars with Three Speed for insurance reasons - Big $ increase for the extra gear.
You can also convert the 3.03 and the 4 Speed Toploaders into top shifters using older (70/80's) Jeep Tranny shifters (T-150/T-176) that locates the shift lever in the original floor location.
GM used the Ford 3 Speed during the Muscle car wars because they didn't have one that would hold up to the power - they had a good 4 speed.
A bunch of people ordered their Muscle cars with Three Speed for insurance reasons - Big $ increase for the extra gear.
You can also convert the 3.03 and the 4 Speed Toploaders into top shifters using older (70/80's) Jeep Tranny shifters (T-150/T-176) that locates the shift lever in the original floor location.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 2
From: Holly Springs, NC
Unless I am mistaken, wasn't the 389 the engine that Pontiac put in the GTO's during the mid 60's ?
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
they had the 326/389/&421 The Frod 3.03 3Speed wa only used with the 389.421 packages in the GTO and the Full Body Cars'
Its quite funny when Someone slides onder their numbers Matching Olds 442 and finds FOMOCO stamped on the Tranny - The go into a complete melt down and want to know such evil can exists.
Its quite funny when Someone slides onder their numbers Matching Olds 442 and finds FOMOCO stamped on the Tranny - The go into a complete melt down and want to know such evil can exists.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
1968 Ford small block 4 speed "Top Loader"
this is one that i might actually buy instead would it work, like if i got an adaptor /bell housing and another thing how do i know what tail shaft to get and what if its the wrong one,(sorry for all the questions)
this is one that i might actually buy instead would it work, like if i got an adaptor /bell housing and another thing how do i know what tail shaft to get and what if its the wrong one,(sorry for all the questions)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
You're in custom fabrication territory no matter what, as far as a rear crossmember. I can't believe there's any way to maintain the Ford bellhousing with rear mounts, with a Poncho engine and a different Ford tranny. Custom clutch linkage most likely, too.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,188
Likes: 4,792
From: Burbank, WA
1968 Ford small block 4 speed "Top Loader"
this is one that i might actually buy instead would it work, like if i got an adaptor /bell housing and another thing how do i know what tail shaft to get and what if its the wrong one,(sorry for all the questions)
this is one that i might actually buy instead would it work, like if i got an adaptor /bell housing and another thing how do i know what tail shaft to get and what if its the wrong one,(sorry for all the questions)
For your application, the tailshaft housing doesn't matter too much. The only real difference is where the shifter mounting bosses are, and every model had their own. (ie; you can't use a Torino trans in a Mustang or Falcon without having the correct tailshaft housing.) It's only wrong for you if the shifter won't fit in your truck. The Mustang housing is the farthest back, and that might present an issue. You can always trade it for a different one if you want your shifter farther forward. The Falcon unit was the farthest forward. The top shifter in Dick's post is always an option, but it's not going to be nearly as racy as a Hurst.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: Paso Robles, CA
I don't know about the fitment under these trucks, but I've got a T56 in my 71 Camaro, and that is likely the best single improvement I ever did. It's a dream to shift.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fireman32653
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
3
Feb 4, 2016 09:34 PM
Annihilator
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
9
Nov 10, 2004 08:34 PM
