I just purchased a 1968 Ford F250 with a 240cid 6cyl 4 speed manual transmission. It also came with a Stahl utility body on the back which I will remove and put on a regular truck bed.

My main goal right now is to find a transmission that will work with the 240, but I need my new transmission to be an AUTOMATIC. What transmission should I be looking for?

I do wonder would it be easier/best to just find a motor/auto transmission combo and just put that in? I do plan on putting in a larger engine (390).

My main focus right now is to make my truck an automatic the quickest route possible so I can start driving it. Which is the best way to go?

Thanks!

 

Maybe you should learn to drive a standard transmission.

 

Or maybe my husband is a disabled vet who gave 20yrs of his life for his country and now he is unable to drive a standard. So to make it convient for both of us, I need to install a automatic transmission.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

A C4 was used in those trucks, but you could also get a later C6 in the small block pattern, or take this opportunity to upgrade to an AOD. A transmission that will bolt up to a 302 or 351W would also bolt up to a 240 or 300.
You will need a flexplate and different starter as well, and regardless of which one you go with you'll need to modify the driveshaft or replace it. You will need a transmission cooler or radiator with a cooler built into it, or both (best option). You may also need a different transmission cross member or at least drill new holes to relocate yours.

 

Sorry for the insensitive post.

 

Keep the 240 unless it is thrashed...one of the best motors ford made, better mpg, too. Check with shops in your area...might be able to swap that bed for a C4 or small bell C6 auto tranny. The other stuff...flexplate, starter, etc. are easily do-able.

 

Ford_Six: Thank you for the information. That was exactly what I was wanting to know. I was hoping I would be able to find a transmission that I could also use later on if I wanted to get a bigger engine. A 352W would be just fine for me, I was looking at either a 352 or a 390. Thank you for the information!


tmcalavy: My husband says the same thing about the 240! I'm fine with keeping the 240 and now that I've found out I can get a tranny that I could also use on a 352W down the road, I'm happy. LOL!! Thanks for the idea about seeing if I could swap the utility body for a tranny, I'm definitly going to check into that If I could swap that would be a big help.

 

Alex: Thank you for the apology, I appreciate it.

 

I would go with a C6 if possible as they are stronger than a C4 and better handle truck loads. However, if all your husband is going to do is use it as a daily driver, then a C4 would work as well. Regarding your engine, I would keep the 240 as they run forever and have plenty of torque. And if your husband wanted to do a little performance upgrades, he has fun options such as intakes, carbs, and exhaust just like someone would with a V8. If you do switch to a V8, 360's are a good option as well and they are true truck engines unlike most 390's you find.

You will probably have to have the driveshaft modified as well and add the transmission kick-down linkage to the carb.

 

hoorah!!!!!

 

Looks like someone took good care of that truck, nice find!

As for transmissions, I went the other way, pulled the auto and put in a manual. Swapping an auto in is much easier! Here's a parts list of what you'll need:

-transmission, anything from a small block ford will work, or another big straight 6.
-flexplate
-starter for a 240 with an automatic transmission
-front section of driveshaft, since you currently have a 4spd you'll have a two piece drive shaft. You can re-use the rear section, but the front will have to be replaced or shortened.
-Automatic steering column and linkage (or a floor shifter, I've heard good things about Lokar shifters)
-kick down rod from carb to transmission
-metal and rubber vacuum line from intake manifold to transmission
-trans cooler, most radiators should have them built in at the bottom, but not all. A dual cooler setup (like Ford_Six mentioned) is a good thing too, but one should be sufficient, unless you're towing anything very heavy on a regular basis.


The transmission cross-member is fine, just move it to the second set of holes in the frame.

One note about transmissions, if you decide to go with the AOD, it's a good transmission, just make sure you have it professionally adjusted before you drive it anywhere, or else it will burn itself up in a matter of minutes! Once that adjustment is done, you'll be good to go.

One more thing, if you decide to go with the AOD, you may have to do some custom crossmember and driveshaft work. I don't have any experience with them in these truck though so I can't say for sure.

I would also recommend a c6 over a c4, the c6 is much better for a heavy truck like yours. (oops, just noticed Yaga already mentioned that!)

Sam

 

What's the difference between a 360 & 390 when installed in 1968/76 F100/350's?

The stroke is different, because 360's use different rods, pistons, piston rings and crank than 390's. Stroke = 360: 3.50" / 390: 3.78"

360's use an 11" clutch, 390's use an 11 1/2" clutch. The flywheels are also used in 1965/71 352/390 Passenger Cars, as is the A/T flexplate, FX & MX C-O-M/C6: same.

The bore is the same (4.05"), the block is the same, so are the heads and everything else.

So, what makes a 360 a true truck engine?

 

drop a 390 and a c6 in there ;-) its the least you can do for a man who helped protect the skin on our butts! give him some juice! lol

 

Just wondering if you found a 390? What kind of mileage does your 240 get? THanks

 

Or maybe you could have said that at first so you didn't give the impression he (we) got.
There are a lot of parts besides just the transmission and you really need access to a complete donor truck to get everything you need. Gonna do the work yourself? You will be setting yourself up for great disappointment and despair if you take a job like that to a garage. Even doing it yourself will turn into an exercise in frustration when you are trying to find something like the kickdown linkage for a 240.
I would suggest finding a truck that already has an automatic, lots of good old camper specials out there for cheap, most are automatics and already have a bed.