Hi guys, Just picked up a 1972 360 from the junkyard today $50.00 figure I can get $75 if its junk, but anyway we will assume that it is good. My buddy wanted the 4speed granny transmission, so I gave it to him. This leaves me looking for a tranny. I am putting this in my 1948 F-1 Panel truck. I would like something with a higher road gear. Maybe a 4speed top loader or even a 3speed top loader. My dad had a 1977 F-100 with three on the tree which broke and we shoved it through the floor. Will any of the new 5speed transmissions bolt up to the 360 bell housing? What do you guys think? Don't want an automatic got stick with the stick. Thanks in advance.

 

A $50 360....and it will be good. OK.

3 and 4 speed toploader car transmissions have a 1:1 high, just like the granny 4 speed.

Late '70s up to '85 or '86 toploader 4 speed OD transmissions might work. There is a side-shifted model with an iron case that would be OK for light duty behind your engine. Geared like a 3 speed with 4th being over. 2nd to 3rd gap is terrible. Info here, they are the first transmissions up:

Domestic Truck Tranny Guide

The iron cased, side shifted ones are found in vans, not too sure about PUs. Figure on a bearing job as they seem to eat bearings.

As for later model 5 speeds--they won't fit. They were produced with integral bellhousings to fit the SBF, 385 and diesel patterns, depending on model.

Other fivers include the Clark, which might require some machine work to match up the input shaft, and some custom work to adapt the output to your driveshaft. The NV4500 can be used, but it is expensive and requires an adaptor and a go-through to make sure the unit you buy doesn't have 5th gear trouble.

Even if you wanted to go automatic, there are no OD autos that bolt up, but adaptors are available.

FWIW, for your application, a 302 with a T5 would make more sense unless you are going to haul and tow heavy. The 360 is a pooch of a motor, heavier, etc etc. jmo.

 

You have to watch the T5 swaps. They do not work in the trucks becouse they sit the shifter under the bench seat.

I heard you could use a mustang T5 with a S10 T5 tail shaft and get the shifter into the correct position.

That or TKO, Tremtec, Richmond should have something.

 

The S10 tailshaft on Mustang T5 is the standard way to go for PU installation. The T5 interchanges those parts easily, so they say.

 

Thats what they say.

They say plenty of things that can land you in jail

 

Thanks for the info. I know the 360 is a load for what power it produces, but that $50 made it more appealing. I am hoping since the guy who ownes the yard pulled the engine before junking the truck that it might be a good one. I do plane on using it to pull a small camper (1965 Scottty). We may upgrade to a little larger camper in the future, but not huge. I had a 360 in a 74 F-100 when I was a kid pass everything but a gas station. The original transmission in the 48 was a three speed floor shift. I was thinking that a three speed like the one my dad had in his 77 F-100 might give me a good ratio, but a top loader 4 speed would do the trick. Know to find one for as cheap as I bought the engine HA! Hah! Back to the ol timer junk yards, not as many as there used to be.

 

Have you thought about a C6 auto? It will do the same job and save wear & tear on the ol knees.




John

 

If you can find a wide ratio top loader you can run a more freeway type gear, but with a close ratio it could be rough.

If you do the T5 swap do not tow in 5th. Tow in 4th. Its a car transmission and will not like it very much, but you can stretch it out by driving right.

Or there is the AOD swap its a good transmission for towing.

Then you have the Chevy trannmisions T700R4 and T200R4, but since cost is the same and the AOD slightly better on the cheap.

 

This guy is extreemly budget minded, none of these trannys are bolt up, and would be expensive to complete. Don't believe he is going there.





John

 

He is mentioning a 5 speed so he is looking to save gas.

A C6 while cheap to find DOES NOT SAVE ON GAS. Its a big heavy duty tranny that cost you mpgs compared to the C4, T5's, Sideloaders, and Toploaders. But in a truck that sees Heavy duty use almost irreplacable.

Lets take a AOD in a truck for DD. Over its lifetime it will save you plenty money.
1 You wouldn't have to change you rear end ratio for mpg.
2 Gas is not getting any cheaper. China and India want there share too.

A 3.73 gear like in my 66 turns about 3500 rpm doing 75. Hauling
A 2.73 gear like I want turns about 2500 rpm doing 75. Hauling A$$
An AOD give you both for about $2000-2500 if you can source parts cheap, and have some mechanical skill.

 

Well have you considered a T-85 transmission those are manual and have an overdrive. Can be hard to find but they are out there or really consider an automatic for the ease of install Ford FE Transmission Adapters you can bolt on an AOD or you can go to the dark side and use a GM trans.

 

I have a good C-6 under my bench right know. It's a back up for my 34 Rat Pickup which is powered by a 302. Different bolt pattern I would assume between the small block 302 and big block 360. I also tested the compression on a my $50 360. Most are 90lbs with out being run and 2 are 60lbs but the passenger side rear is 30lbs. I hoping that the rings are a bit stuck in the piston and once I get her running they might reseat themselves. This engine has been sitting for a couple of years outside. So I am Wishfull thinkin' .

I purchased another T-18 from another ol'time junk yard. It turns and shifts so I think it will be ok. Worst I will have to hand the shifter to the passenger to put it in high gear Hahhah! I can know mount the two in the truck and attempt to get her runnin. Let the smoke roll. Thanks For all the tranny info if it runs I will continue to look for a more gas miserly tranny.

 

Just an update on my $50 360...Wait for it... IT RUNS! I was able to get the motor mounts/tranny mount built and the engine thrown together enough to fire her up. It runs pretty good, not much smoke. I checked the compression on #4 which was at about 30lbs and know its reading about a 100lbs. Still need to hook up an oil pressure guage to see what that looks like, but by ear it sound OK. No banging, thudding, knocking almost too quiet. The T-18 seams to shift ok and is clearing the dash. I now need to make a slipper driveshaft since the T-18 has a solid yoke. I have a short drive shaft from a FWD I think I can cut this and stretch it out leaving the slipper part intatct to allow for suspension travel. Anyone ever tried making an extra long telescoping driveshaft? I would post somne picts but don't know how to on here.