converting a 4 speed to an automatic
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 192
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
I've got a 73 F100 with a 4 speed and I really want to switch over to an automatic tranny. I understand the C6 is the way to go. I'm looking for some information - any help would be appreciated.
First of all, I've found a good parts truck with a 460 and a C6. Will the C6 that is bolted up to the 460 match up with my 390 or does it have a different bell housing?
What else do I need out of my parts truck besides the tranny, linkage and steering column? As long as I'm doing the conversion, I thought I would take the power steering setup out of the parts truck as well.
Am I out of my mind, or is this a pretty straight forward swap?
First of all, I've found a good parts truck with a 460 and a C6. Will the C6 that is bolted up to the 460 match up with my 390 or does it have a different bell housing?
What else do I need out of my parts truck besides the tranny, linkage and steering column? As long as I'm doing the conversion, I thought I would take the power steering setup out of the parts truck as well.
Am I out of my mind, or is this a pretty straight forward swap?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 192
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
I have tried the search function - found lots of info on engine swaps, but have not found much on moving from a 4 speed to an automatic yet.
I seem to get a different answer each time I ask the bell housing question to another person. Can you tell me how you know that the 390 and 460 engines require different bell housings on the C6 transmission? Also, if I'm looking at a C6, if there a way to identify which motor it will mate to?
Thanks.
-Vinny
I seem to get a different answer each time I ask the bell housing question to another person. Can you tell me how you know that the 390 and 460 engines require different bell housings on the C6 transmission? Also, if I'm looking at a C6, if there a way to identify which motor it will mate to?
Thanks.
-Vinny
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Sometimes my mind slips a little at 2 AM but not this time. As far as how I know, -check out my post rating, then continue your search here and in the transmission forum. You aren't finding the right posts with your search.
Many people use the dimension between the top mounting bolts to ID the bellhousing pattern. I don't have those figures but they have been posted around here. Check the tranny forum.
Many people use the dimension between the top mounting bolts to ID the bellhousing pattern. I don't have those figures but they have been posted around here. Check the tranny forum.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Didn't mean to question your knowledge - I know you know what you are talking about. What I meant to ask is are there guidelines for knowing which trannys are interchangeable with which engines? I had to stop for the night as well - but thanks for the info you have shared and I will continue to search the forum fo rmore info on the swap.
-Vinny
-Vinny
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 851
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From: Elkton, MD
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
the fe motors, which includes the 390 has more of a round bellhousing, the 460, 429, 400, 351m all have another bellhousing pattern, and the small blocks have yet another pattern. The swap should be pretty easy, put in a c6 auto from another truck with an fe engine, don't forget to get the crossmember and driveshaft, and an automatic steering column, kickdown linkage, and shift linkage, and the flexplate. Should all bolt right up.
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From: in the country
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Another consideration is the length , diameter , and spline count of the input shaft. Also . you need to be looking for the correct cross member frame support for a c6. Preferably from a 73 or forward. the frame width(s) changed over the years so a little fabrication maybe in order . i wish i knew the specific's but someone on here should beable to help you out. fd
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Senior User
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Thanks for the info - so FE motors like the 390 and 428 have the same block, therefore the same tranny bell housing. The 460 series engine block would be different - thanks for helping clear that up.
If I wanted to save myself the trouble of changing the steering column, could I just put a floor shifter on the automatic (similar to a mustang - only longer)?
If I wanted to save myself the trouble of changing the steering column, could I just put a floor shifter on the automatic (similar to a mustang - only longer)?
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Eric - thanks for the info on dimensions on the bell housing. That really helps. I also found some more good info in the tranny forum as you suggested!
-Vinny
-Vinny
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Spokane WA, USA
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Speaking of that, how exactly is the C6 attached to the back of the engine, I know the tranny input shaft connects to the stall converter and the flexplate is bolted to the out side of the converter, but what exactly connects to the engine? Been a long time since I had one apart.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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converting a 4 speed to an automatic
Vinny, I'm glad to see you are experiencing the expertise that this site provides.
On a side note:
This site is so *well attended* that even *Long Time Fte User's* will question bad instruction or information from each other.
You're in good hands Vinny !
On a side note:
This site is so *well attended* that even *Long Time Fte User's* will question bad instruction or information from each other.
You're in good hands Vinny !
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Sapulpa
converting a 4 speed to an automatic
The C6 will bolt right to the engine just as a manual would, except, that it has a flexplate, in place of the flywheel, and the torque converter bolts to that, and slides into the trans. The 351m, 400, 429, and 460 all use the same bolt pattern, but there could be slight differences in the transmissions as far as spline count, depth and diameter of the input shaft. To make it easy, I gots a C6 that came off a 429, and will probably soon have one off a 400, to get rid of
