I went to a local pick and pull today and found a possible ZF5 donor. It's an 87 F250 4x4 with a 460 and a manual transmission. The shift stick does not have the **** on it showing the pattern and I could freely move it 1st through 4th and reverse, so I am sure if it should shift into overdrive without the clutch pushed in. The VIN is 2FTHF25L1HCA67078 if anyone can confirm or clarify if this is a good donor or not.

 

The zf5 case has a diamond pattern. That would probably be the best way to confirm

 

Being a 87 it will be a zf 42, the only way to tell if its good is to spin it and listen for a grinding noise or if it binds up. If it spins okay then you either open it up and inspect or put it in and hope it works and shifts right. Make sure you spin it in 5th as thats an easy gear to bugger up if your pulling a trailer or running big/tall tires. Theres 2 plates on the front of the trans, one on either side, they're for a pto drive. Look inside and you'll see what shape first gear is in.

 

I appreciate the info, I'll check for that when I go back!

 

I didnt think the ZF was available til '88? If it's an '87 there's a higher chance it will have a 4 spd instead. I know that the 150 didn't have its 5 spd till '88 or '89

 

Not a guarantee but the zf has a strait shifter that tapers from about 1" to about 1/2". The 4 speeds have a 1/2" shifter that has several bends in it. This is a good start but the diamond pattern on the case is a for sure identification.

 

Dug through my pics and found this. Good news is it's a ZF42, bad news is it's a 89 that goes behind a 351w. These ZF's have an internal slave cylinder and are a pita, good thing it's made for the small block huh.


My 88 f450 has the 460 zf42 and it basically looks the same but has a larger bell housing due to it going behind a 460. Sorry no pics of it. Company I used to work for had a 87 f350 4x4 with a 5 speed behind a diesel, the truck was a piece of crap due to maintenance and it was rebuilt by the owners buddy before he bought it so it may not have been original. My brother, a 35 year journeyman courtesy of Ford took a 2 minute look at the engine bay and wouldn't touch the truck as it was that bad a piece of crap. The ideal zf is the zf47 behind the 460 from 92 to 96. If the trans is behind a modular motor, a v10 or is newer than 97 I doubt if it is of any value to you due to the bell housing. There is supposed to be an adapter that will mate the 97 up diesel zf but you've got to be really serious about what your building to justify the expense. Hope this helped, try looking up specs on a 87 F350 and you may find your answer for sure.

Look for a small master cylinder beside your regular master cylinder and that will tell you if you have the hydraulic clutch

 

I've done a little research and found the 97 F250 / 350 with a 460 came with the ZF5 s-47m. I'm not sure if that is stronger or not. Do you know our is it just the same s-47?