Drivetrain swap
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 485
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From: Timmonsville
Drivetrain swap
Long story short:I have a 1989 E350 7.5/C6 is knocking and burning oil. Tranny is fine. Been keeping my eyes open for an engine. But I found a whole van for $500. Runs and drives like a champ. 1985 E150 4.9/3ontree. And yes I already purchased the 85.I figured it might possible to swap the drive trains since I have the complete donor. I like the 3 on tree but would rather have a floor shifter.And info on the net is scarce about the 3 on tree tranny. Are these as hardy as a c6?What are they called? I parked the donor beside my 89 and the project seems feasible. I cannot lose b/c the 85 is woth more in scrap than what I paid. And that 4.9 feel like a winner to me,plenty of pull with that manual. Your opinions of proposed swap please.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
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From: South central, Minnesota
I'm doing something similar. I've got a 89 E350 Clubwagon. Mines a 5.8/C6 And I'm swapping out the C6 for a NP435 4spd. Eventually I'll swap in a 300 too!
I picked up a 88 E150 with a 300/5spd for a donor. It has all the manual transmission conversion parts except the transmission & bellhousing. Here's a pic of the dog house in my 5spd donor van. On the 5spd's and the T-18/NP435 4spds the shifter comes thru the rear of the dog house.
Your swap idea is doable. You'll have most if not all the parts you'll need. Depending on your van's wheelbase you may need to have a driveshaft made up or modified for your E350. The three on the tree is fine for the E100's & E150's. But I wouldn't run one of those 3spds in an E350. For an E350 I would swap in either a NP435 or T-18 4spd. They are both much tougher then the 3spd's.
I picked up a 88 E150 with a 300/5spd for a donor. It has all the manual transmission conversion parts except the transmission & bellhousing. Here's a pic of the dog house in my 5spd donor van. On the 5spd's and the T-18/NP435 4spds the shifter comes thru the rear of the dog house. Your swap idea is doable. You'll have most if not all the parts you'll need. Depending on your van's wheelbase you may need to have a driveshaft made up or modified for your E350. The three on the tree is fine for the E100's & E150's. But I wouldn't run one of those 3spds in an E350. For an E350 I would swap in either a NP435 or T-18 4spd. They are both much tougher then the 3spd's.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
The t18 has a non synchronized first gear, which makes them a bit hard to live with in the city. You have to RPM match and double clutch to get it to go into first from second if you are not completely stopped. Not that you will have to very often, 1st is a big time granny gear in those things.
The NP435 has a GIANT jump between 2 and 3, like 3.34 -> 1.66 I had one in an older pickup. You couldn't really jump to 3 if you were loaded and not on a level highway.
The NP435 has a GIANT jump between 2 and 3, like 3.34 -> 1.66 I had one in an older pickup. You couldn't really jump to 3 if you were loaded and not on a level highway.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
The t18 has a non synchronized first gear, which makes them a bit hard to live with in the city. You have to RPM match and double clutch to get it to go into first from second if you are not completely stopped. Not that you will have to very often, 1st is a big time granny gear in those things.
The NP435 has a GIANT jump between 2 and 3, like 3.34 -> 1.66 I had one in an older pickup. You couldn't really jump to 3 if you were loaded and not on a level highway.
The NP435 has a GIANT jump between 2 and 3, like 3.34 -> 1.66 I had one in an older pickup. You couldn't really jump to 3 if you were loaded and not on a level highway.
I've done a lot of hauling/towing with the NP435's and have never had an issue with the gear ratios. And that was behind 300's, 351's and even a couple 302's.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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Can't help you on the swap info, but as far as that 300/6 goes....yes it's a very good engine, lots of bottom end,
drives very much like a
diesel but it's still only about 150 HP and not much more torque. You may be very surprised after driving a 460.
drives very much like a
diesel but it's still only about 150 HP and not much more torque. You may be very surprised after driving a 460.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Timmonsville
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Yup, that's all they ever had. Lots of folks love their 300s and swear that they won't die without permission, but they don't win many races.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
They made 150hp/265ftlbs in fuel injected late 90's trim. They also made 40-ish ftlbs more torque when they became fuel injected. The carbed engines in vans made a hair over 100hp, but could be bumped a bit with tuning.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
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From: South central, Minnesota
Depends on what you do to them!
Not mine, but I wish it was!!
2010 Indy ET Finals Drag Racing Ford Six - 11 - YouTube
Slap the 300's 1V carb and restrictive manifolds on a larger engine and see how little power it makes!!
With some modifications the 300 can make good power too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJboVy4lcc
Not mine, but I wish it was!!2010 Indy ET Finals Drag Racing Ford Six - 11 - YouTube
Slap the 300's 1V carb and restrictive manifolds on a larger engine and see how little power it makes!!
With some modifications the 300 can make good power too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJboVy4lcc
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Sort of an uncommon thang though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
That dragster in the first video makes over 500 hp.
They are different! But different is good!!
No belly button V8! 
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