Clarks 4spd (3 w/ OD)
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Meigs County Ohio
Clarks 4spd (3 w/ OD)
Well I found out the transmission in my truck is called a Clarks, and I was wondering if they can be rebuilt using a top loader rebuild kit, or if I need a special kit. Also I was wondering if there are any other trannies I could interchange gears from, cause I would like to get the gear rations so it would be nice and snappy with short gears (Either 3.91's or 4.30's in the rear) Thanks guys much appreciated.
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These trannies have a love hate following. I guess I can't answer the question. But dont put it in a 77 half ton then put in a 390 four barrel from a 69 galaxy, add some 31" mudders on the back only and give it to me. Didn't end well.
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There are some guys that drag race with the imposter Toploader as some call it. The iron case units are just as strong as any 4 speed toploader.
The bad thing about the tranny is the weird gear ratios... 2nd to 3rd is a nasty drop. I believe most came with an .80 overdrive which is nice with 4.11-4.56 rear gears.
Josh
The bad thing about the tranny is the weird gear ratios... 2nd to 3rd is a nasty drop. I believe most came with an .80 overdrive which is nice with 4.11-4.56 rear gears.
Josh
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Don't know where "Clark" comes from for these.
There were a Ford T&C design, modified for the OD gear, and, according to some sources, built by Tremec for Ford.
I've seen other references to them as Clark trannies, but not sure where that info comes from.
Designated "T170" also:
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
As for changing gears, maybe, but one trans guy told me no back when I first got my van.
IMO I wouldn't install one behind anything, let alone a 460. The case may be as strong as the performance top loader, but the bearings and the OD gear aren't.
A ZF 5 speed, or an NV4500, or even an E4OD automatic would be better choices. Even a C6...
There were a Ford T&C design, modified for the OD gear, and, according to some sources, built by Tremec for Ford.
I've seen other references to them as Clark trannies, but not sure where that info comes from.
Designated "T170" also:
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
As for changing gears, maybe, but one trans guy told me no back when I first got my van.
IMO I wouldn't install one behind anything, let alone a 460. The case may be as strong as the performance top loader, but the bearings and the OD gear aren't.
A ZF 5 speed, or an NV4500, or even an E4OD automatic would be better choices. Even a C6...
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Don't know where "Clark" comes from for these.
There were a Ford T&C design, modified for the OD gear, and, according to some sources, built by Tremec for Ford.
I've seen other references to them as Clark trannies, but not sure where that info comes from.
Designated "T170" also:
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
As for changing gears, maybe, but one trans guy told me no back when I first got my van.
IMO I wouldn't install one behind anything, let alone a 460. The case may be as strong as the performance top loader, but the bearings and the OD gear aren't.
A ZF 5 speed, or an NV4500, or even an E4OD automatic would be better choices. Even a C6...
There were a Ford T&C design, modified for the OD gear, and, according to some sources, built by Tremec for Ford.
I've seen other references to them as Clark trannies, but not sure where that info comes from.
Designated "T170" also:
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
As for changing gears, maybe, but one trans guy told me no back when I first got my van.
IMO I wouldn't install one behind anything, let alone a 460. The case may be as strong as the performance top loader, but the bearings and the OD gear aren't.
A ZF 5 speed, or an NV4500, or even an E4OD automatic would be better choices. Even a C6...
The tranny is fine for good performance. Sure OD is weak, but nobody should be giving it hell in OD anyway. Do that to just about any tranny in OD and it will be the same outcome.
The later 3+1 transmission has a bigger input bearing than any big-input 4 speed toploader.
And everyone knows about the NV4500 5th gear and 3rd gear issues. It isn't bombproof by a long shot.
Josh
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I don't know what bearing was making noise in mine a 70k, but the ratios suck so bad I wouldn't waste any effort with it--jmo. As for giving it hell in OD, a 460 is going to feed a LOT of torque into that gear, so unless you want to downshift it on every hill, I would think you'd have some issues.
Yea, the NV4500s have issues too, seems there's some fix or combo or something to get around it:
High Impact - NV4500 5spd
Doesn't look like they cover it in their propaganda.
Dodge NV4500 Manual Transmission - Fifth Gear Fix & Photos - Four Wheeler Magazine
Easier to go the ZF on a 460 anyway, as all there are all factory parts available via donor or dealer to hook it up.
Yea, the NV4500s have issues too, seems there's some fix or combo or something to get around it:
High Impact - NV4500 5spd
Doesn't look like they cover it in their propaganda.
Dodge NV4500 Manual Transmission - Fifth Gear Fix & Photos - Four Wheeler Magazine
Easier to go the ZF on a 460 anyway, as all there are all factory parts available via donor or dealer to hook it up.
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Yeah, with a 460 the ZF is the place to go. Especially if the tranny needs rebuilt anyways.
I have a buddy (Kurt Steiner) that races a 92 Dodge Cummins and constantly explodes his NV. Seems it eats 3rd gear on a consistent basis.
YouTube - 1st gen cummins blowing smoke on the dyno
YouTube - 92 1st gen Dodge Turbo Cummins Diesel vs 2001 Corvette @ Bandimere
Josh
Josh
I have a buddy (Kurt Steiner) that races a 92 Dodge Cummins and constantly explodes his NV. Seems it eats 3rd gear on a consistent basis.
YouTube - 1st gen cummins blowing smoke on the dyno
YouTube - 92 1st gen Dodge Turbo Cummins Diesel vs 2001 Corvette @ Bandimere
Josh
Josh
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Meigs County Ohio
Well for the record... You buy the ZF or NV and I will put it behind the 460, but I would like to keep the truck original. Plus I dont plan on giving it hell in OD. And no tranny is bulletproof, just, bullet resistant.
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Josh
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Mine puked the input bearing in two weeks. Not really a tranny guy but I'm pretty certain it uses that bearing in every gear. These trannies were built to add mileage on six cylinders and 302's. As soon as they came up with the Mazda built 5 speed these were abandoned for a reason. I know where your at Cowboy on the fundage for an NV or ZF. A zf would be cheaper as it was offered hooked to a 460. I think everyone's trying to help you save some cash by not building something that most likely will not hold up. If you're buying a bellhousing, flywheel,clutch and so on to make this swap happen and it doesn't work out very few if any of those parts will work with the other trannies mentioned you'd need to stick with the clark or the old three speeds with no OD. Josh is really knowledgeable and E150 obviously has one with a six and low miles and is having some issues. Have you been able to find anything online that would give you torque ratings for this transmission. That might help you decide. I was just thinking with wanting 4.30 gears and towing in your name this trannies in for a hard way.
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From: Meigs County Ohio
Lol the F100 wont see one ounce of towing its going to be a street-strip truck, also the bellhousing I am getting with the engine, is out of a (771/2)78-79 truck. The truck also has the mounts in it, so yes they were offered with a Manual, but it was a T19.