I'd like to replace the floor shift in my 1965 F100 with a 1972 automatic column shift
when I convert to power steering. The auto column came from a truck with power steering. The trans is a c-4 behind a 289 which the previous owner installed. Is this feasible? What type linkage will work? Anyone done this? Thanks again. Lefty

 

Lefty, As long as it is a Saganaw steering gear & a 73 or new column that works with the Saganaw you will be OK.

Just get a 73-79 donor with everything that you want in your truck and stop the guessing.



John

 

John thanks for the reply. My question was more about the trans linkage than the power steering. . I figured that with the 72 automatic power steering column and the saginaw box and pump from a 78(which I have) I would have a bolt up installation, be able to use my original 65 steering wheel and get rid of the awkward floor mount shifter. The latter improvement can only work if the 72 auto column can be linked to the c-4 trans.
After dinner I crawled under the truck and checked the trans i.d tag and believe it is a 1971 . truck trans. If that's correct than the floor shifter was added later because I don't believe the floor shift was available in 1971 model year trucks. So if that's correct than the 72 auto column can be connected to the c-4. I'll be more confidant if I ring up ND for the trans tag confirmation

 

Lefty, You are throwing a lot of items in the mix.

The Saganaw gear introduced in 73 is longer on top making the column 2 3/8in shorter. The shorter part is in the firewall area. The correct column/gear must be used together.

If the C4 that you are referring to is a current pattern shift auto then it should work. There are some old Green Dot C-O-M auto auto trannys that are referred to as C4s that will not work.

Your parts must be correctly identified in order to get a good answer.




John

 

Saginaw P/S (Ford never refered to it as such) was introduced in 1969 F100/250 2WD's & F350's from serial number D96,001.

Bendix P/S was used on 1966/68 F100/250 2WD's, 1969 F100/250 2WD's before serial number D96,001.

P/S was not offered on F350's until 1969...from serial number D96,001.
The pump is not a Saginaw, it's a Thompson design. And, the 1978 P/S pump is different than was used previously.

Saginaw P/S pumps (are totally different than the Ford/Thompson pumps) were used in 1977/91 Econolines, and some 1973/79 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars (all Lincoln's) with or without Hydro-Boost.

1978: Ford changed the P/S pumps on all vehicles except those using the Saginaw pump. The 1978 and later Ford/Thompson pump has a plastic reservoir.

The P/S pressure hose has a straight end with an O-ring on it, attaches to the pump w/a qwik dis-connect fitting.

The P/S pump mounting brackets used w/the 1978 and later Ford/Thompson pump are different than was used on prior Ford/Thompson P/S pumps as it's smaller in diameter.

1965/77 P/S pumps have a steel reservoir, the P/S pressure hose threads onto the pump.

 

Well here we go. Please bear in mind I have recently just aquired a 1972 f350, 300ci, 4 speed manual. No power steering.

I really would like to change the truck to column shift and put in perhaps a c4 or c6.
Can anyone help with the following:

1. Will a c4/c6 automatic bolt onto the 300ci direct?
2. Will a 1970, 1971 1972 steering column with column shifter fit exactly?
3. I am after the easiest way to achieve a column shift and automatic as possible.
4. What trucks will have the correct transmission ie years? models?
5. Remembering everyone I have a 1972 australian delivered/manufactured f350..........
6. I dont require power steering for the conversion.
7. I would like to either use my current stock steering wheel (2 spoke) or if need be use the steering wheel from the donor (69 or 70 wheel- which is different) but I like it.

Hope anyone out their can put me on the right track.
Ohh , one more question, the current 4 speed I have really screams in all gears.......aparently these trucks where designed like this,,,,,,(ie torque monsters) not very good on the highway..........will an automatic perform better on the highway???????ie will not scream...???????ie cruise on 100km/h............which is ???mph

Remebering peoples I am in Australia..............steering wheel on the other side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well, the easiest of your questions to answer is that 100 km/h = 62 mph. The reason your F350 screams is that it probably has something like a 4.56 axle ratio so it can move the heavy loads your truck was designed to carry. Changing to an automatic transmission isn't necessarily going to stop your engine from screaming because the final drive ratio is still 1:1, just like it is with your current 4 speed - unless you get an overdrive transmission - and then I'd be worried if it were strong enough to hold together if you use the truck as it was intended. I may be wrong, but I doubt there are a lot of Australian market experts here in the US. Number Dummy may be up on some of it. As you point out, one major difference is that your vehicles are right hand drive - so would your automatic transmissions be column or floor shifted, and if column, would the shifter be on the right side like in the US or on the left side pointing toward the center of the vehicle? There are several Aussies who are members of this forum (Rotten Ron is one I can think of), perhaps they can give you advice on your Aussie market vehicle. Also, I know that when you import Mustangs into Oz, they have to be converted from left to right hand drive. There's a thriving business doing an amazing job of it so maybe you can contact one of those conversion companies for advice. Good luck with your project.

 

Mr Super Sabre, thanks for your input.

You are correct with the 4.56 ratio.....

All australian made vehicles that are column shifts ,the shifter is on the left hand side (right hand drive vehicles.)

Fseries trucks that where partially assembled in USA (FOR EXPORT) once they arrived at the ford plant here, they would have the above mentioned column/shifter installed.

So i would really need to find a fseries truck here in australia that has these , for it to be a donor for my 350.

Regarding the import of mustangs and other classic vehicles into Australia.......any vehicle with a manufacture date after 1988 must be converted to Right hand drive (costly) where as vehicles pre 1988 can remain Left hand drive but must meet a number of design criteria (australian standards) depending on age. ie a 1970 vehicle will not need to meet as many design rules as would a vehicle say 1975....
Any LHD vehicle imported into Australia (with build date after 1988) MUST be converted to RHD. very costly.......very.....the companies whom do the conversions have a monopoly......so therefore charge a ridicolous amount of money to have such a vehicle conform to australian standards......

Well after more research , i am more incline towards keeping my steering column as is.............removing the 4 speed............perhaps a lockar automatic shifter......to a C4.

My only concern here would be does a c4 bolt straight onto the 300ci?
And which C4 from which vehicle/year would be a direct bolt in fit.?
Also, would changing the gears in the diff help at all with the truck screaming at the moment? Or is it just the nature of the 300ci engine?

Oh, i dont intend to carry heavy loads on this thing, but i do want to go on the highway at 62mph without the truck screaming.

 

Changing your rear end gear ratio will definitely cut down on the screaming. 4.56s weren't really intended to be highway cruising gears. You will want something like 3.50s or 3.25s. Just remember, as you go from the 4s to the 3s, the amount of work your truck can do will decrease. Don't forget to change your speedometer drive gears if you change your axle ratio. As to which C4 is right for you, I am not an expert. However, there are other parts of this forum that specifically cover your '72 F350 (well maybe not YOUR truck since it's Aussie spec) and the 300 C I engine. Try your questions there and maybe you'll get more help. Good luck!

 

[QUOTE=350KANGAROO;11805627]Well here we go. Please bear in mind I have recently just aquired a 1972 f350, 300ci, 4 speed manual. No power steering.

I really would like to change the truck to column shift and put in perhaps a c4 or c6.
Can anyone help with the following:

1. Will a c4/c6 automatic bolt onto the 300ci direct?
2. Will a 1970, 1971 1972 steering column with column shifter fit exactly?
3. I am after the easiest way to achieve a column shift and automatic as possible.
4. What trucks will have the correct transmission ie years? models?
5. Remembering everyone I have a 1972 australian delivered/manufactured f350..........
6. I dont require power steering for the conversion.
7. I would like to either use my current stock steering wheel (2 spoke) or if need be use the steering wheel from the donor (69 or 70 wheel- which is different) but I like it.

Hope anyone out their can put me on the right track.
Ohh , one more question, the current 4 speed I have really screams in all gears.......aparently these trucks where designed like this,,,,,,(ie torque monsters) not very good on the highway..........will an automatic perform better on the highway???????ie will not scream...???????ie cruise on 100km/h............which is ???mph

Remebering peoples I am in Australia..............steering wheel on the other side!

 

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