my dad came across a 77 econoline with only 74,000 miles and there isnt a spot of rust on it...my question is the truck is a 302 & the van is a 351 is there any way to make the tranny work since it would give him O.D. or shoud I look a different direction

 

The 4x4 trans will not work for the 4x2 van.

 

For a 302/351w you have 3 options (all of them have to be 2wd since the tail housing on a 4x4 is different in order to mate a transfer case to it). bolt up easy option.

1.) C6 3spd - most reliable tranny ford has ever made. draggsters use them b/c they are robust and won't break, they are also super cheap to fix since for made them for 40+ years

2.) AOD 4spd - probably your best option for a 4spd. It's not computer controled and with a few mods should work good in that van. Keep in mind you might want a shift kit b4 installing.

3.) E40D 4spd - Not worth your time... It's computer controlled and would need a stand alone computer in that 77 van. E40Ds are expensive to rebuild ($1700 min from what i've heard) and usually expensive to find in decent shape.

X.) cut a hole in the floor, get a set of pedals and put a M50D or ZF-542 5spd manual tranny in! This is what I'd do, but then again i have a ******** for 5spds...

 

If there's room, you could use the 4x4 trans and transfer case. Then you could mount a lever and have the option of a low range. Not sure why you would need low in a van but if the trans and case are free, its an option. You could also sell what you have and buy a 2wd trans that fits. No matter what its a lot of effort to gain a couple mpg's

 

Well you could have a custom gear cut and installed in the t-case as a way of changing the final drive ratio so you could have a "hwy hi" gear for good mpgs and a "get up and go low gear" for around town... LOL!!!

any way... x2... I'd look at doing a decent sixlitre tuneup to gain a few mpgs first...

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