tranny options?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
tranny options?
im building a 54 ford customline, im going to be using a ford 300 straight 6 but im totally new to straight 6 motors and have no clue what tranny bolts to them.. i searched around on here and google and only got up grade ideas new 5 and 6 speed converts, im just lookin to get the thing rolling, would like to have a 5 speed but on super important.. if some of you ford lovers could shoot me a few model numbers of trannys that would just bolt up im be soooo thankful, thanks in advance guys happy motoring
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
Welcome to FTE!
The 300 uses the same bell pattern as the SBF, 289-302/351w.
What kind of trans do you want?
A ZF or Mazda truck trans would not have great ratios for a car.
A T5 can be adapted to that engine, and would have more car friendly ratios.
An AOD automatic would simplify your installation greatly.
What axle ratio do you have?
Info:
Modern Driveline - T5 / TREMEC TKO Transmission Conversion - 5 speed & 6 speed solutions to swap your Ford Mustang, Falcon, Cobra, Hotrod into Overdrive! Performance Parts
T5 Swap, T5 Conversion, Mustang T5 Swap, Auto to Manual Transmission - FordMuscle
Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Transmission and Drivetrain: Borg Warner T5 Transmission data
AOD:
TCI - Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70W
The 300 uses the same bell pattern as the SBF, 289-302/351w.
What kind of trans do you want?
A ZF or Mazda truck trans would not have great ratios for a car.
A T5 can be adapted to that engine, and would have more car friendly ratios.
An AOD automatic would simplify your installation greatly.
What axle ratio do you have?
Info:
Modern Driveline - T5 / TREMEC TKO Transmission Conversion - 5 speed & 6 speed solutions to swap your Ford Mustang, Falcon, Cobra, Hotrod into Overdrive! Performance Parts
T5 Swap, T5 Conversion, Mustang T5 Swap, Auto to Manual Transmission - FordMuscle
Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Transmission and Drivetrain: Borg Warner T5 Transmission data
AOD:
TCI - Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70W
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
Hemmings has a good rep afaik, but as with everything, "trust, but verify":
Hemmings Motor News: 1954 Ford Mainline, Customline and Crestline
Rear axles are said to be 3.31 with the automatic, 3.90 manual trans, and 4.10 with the manual + OD trans.
Hemmings Motor News: 1954 Ford Mainline, Customline and Crestline
Rear axles are said to be 3.31 with the automatic, 3.90 manual trans, and 4.10 with the manual + OD trans.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Its a manual with over drive so 4.10s i guess huh? What tranny should i go with its got a big bench seat so a top shift would work better that a tail shifter if that helps narrow it down, and thanks so much for the help man im really greatful
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
I believe the M5OD would have great ratios for a car, and they're very cheap.
The 300 I6 shares the bellhousing with the rest of the small block fords (302 "5.0" and 351W) so anything that will bolt to either of those will bolt to the I6.
4.10s might be a little low for highway cruising, but it would sure add some pep around town.
The 300 I6 shares the bellhousing with the rest of the small block fords (302 "5.0" and 351W) so anything that will bolt to either of those will bolt to the I6.
4.10s might be a little low for highway cruising, but it would sure add some pep around town.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
YMMV
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The cars got a 3 on the tree and had a straight 6 in it ( i was told 232) its the origanal 6 from 54, will a 300 mate to the this tranny? I talked to the previous owner and he tells me the tranny worked great
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
The 300 bell is going to have a "butterfly" pattern. Your trans is the old square pattern. It is sometimes possible to drill the bell to make the old pattern work. You will have to eyeball that one. Pics here show both patterns on the right side trans so you can see the difference. Also, depth needs to be checked.
Toploader Imposters
Toploader Imposters
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
For a car, I would recommend an SROD transmission. They're only weakness is their aluminum casing, which tends to break when off-roading and putting the tranny through truck oriented tasks.
However, they're great for a car. Actually, they're a beefed up car transmission from the Mustangs. May even be able to find a Mustang version.
They're incredibly light weight and usually smaller than other transmissions.
1st: 3.25
2nd: 1.92
3rd: 1.00
4th: 0.71
However, they're great for a car. Actually, they're a beefed up car transmission from the Mustangs. May even be able to find a Mustang version.
They're incredibly light weight and usually smaller than other transmissions.
1st: 3.25
2nd: 1.92
3rd: 1.00
4th: 0.71
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
I believe with cars they started sometime in the mid 70s. Trucks either 79 or 80. Both were discontinued in 83.
The nice thing about for you is they are mechanical clutches instead of hydraulic if you don't want to mess with that sort of thing.
You can identify them because you have to push the shifter down to go into reverse (at least on the truck one that I know of.)
The nice thing about for you is they are mechanical clutches instead of hydraulic if you don't want to mess with that sort of thing.
You can identify them because you have to push the shifter down to go into reverse (at least on the truck one that I know of.)
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
The pic in the link I posted is the iron cased, side shifted model. These are based on the '60s performance toploader. The previous post is talking about a variant of these, the SROD--Single Rail Over Drive. The case looks the same, but is aluminum. The shifter sits on a turret and is connected via a tube. Pic is first up here:
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
SRODs were found in Mustangs, Grandads and other similar cars in the late '70s to the early '80s. The truck versions were found in F100/150 in the late '70s to 1986 in one form or another. My '85 E150 had the iron box.
IMO if you can make your 3 and OD work, that's what I'd stick with. There are some advantages to the 4 speed box, but again, imo, they aren't worth losing the originality of your 3 and OD set up.
Domestic Truck Tranny Guide
SRODs were found in Mustangs, Grandads and other similar cars in the late '70s to the early '80s. The truck versions were found in F100/150 in the late '70s to 1986 in one form or another. My '85 E150 had the iron box.
IMO if you can make your 3 and OD work, that's what I'd stick with. There are some advantages to the 4 speed box, but again, imo, they aren't worth losing the originality of your 3 and OD set up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
broford1
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Apr 21, 2017 09:35 AM
gfburke
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
27
Jun 16, 2015 08:56 AM
erick wireman
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Mar 8, 2015 11:56 AM
85-f150
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
24
Apr 2, 2010 08:45 PM
