Flathead 6 - Transmission thread
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Yakima, WA
Flathead 6 - Transmission thread
I have the original flathead 6 and and the original transmission. I am wanting to build this for a daily cruiser for my entire family. My 15 year old daughter is interested in driving it also when I eventually get it done. This has sent me in the direction of swapping in an automatic transmission. If I keep the original flathead what would be the most straight forward, no nonsense way of going about that? If it is to change transmission and rearend to a 8.8" explorer, or leaving the orginal rearend??? I would love some help and this is where it is all going to start.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I've seen on here and other forums where people wanted to change to an automatic. I'm not sure it has been done successfully on the flat-6. It's a common swap on flat-V8's, but there isn't a lot of commonality at the back end of the two engines.
What year is your truck?
What year is your truck?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Yakima, WA
It is a 1948 F1. I am trying oh so hard to not change this whole drive train, but it certainly becomes Pandora's box! Lol change the tranny, then might as well change the engine, then might as well change to an ifs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Being a '48, you should have a 3.73 rear axle. It could have an optional 4.27 axle. If it is a 3.73, that is about ideal. You should be able to cruise all day at 55 - 60, will be able to keep up with traffic. Not a lot to be gained by changing axles.
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Hotshot
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From: Burbank, WA
3 speeds should be syncro'd in 2nd and 3rd, and relatively easy to drive, not much different from a modern manual trans. It's the 4 speeds that have the straight, crashbox gears. Are you sure it's a 3 speed?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
The thread I was thinking of on the Ford Barn just resurfaced, worth a read if only to understand how big a job it would be, even with the (stock to Cars) Ford-O-Matic:
Want to adapt a F-O-M to my flat 6. Advice? - The Ford Barn
Want to adapt a F-O-M to my flat 6. Advice? - The Ford Barn
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
I taught both of our kids to handle a manual shift early in their driving lives. With the need to manage the gears demanding regular attention and two hands, it kept the distractions to a minimum. No texting, screen viewing, or ipod fiddling is possible for a newbie. This gave both of them a valuable life skill - and ultimately, confidence to handle stuff others simply avoid. Great for gals and guys to have in their tool kit.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 545
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From: Columbus, IN
I taught both of our kids to handle a manual shift early in their driving lives. With the need to manage the gears demanding regular attention and two hands, it kept the distractions to a minimum. No texting, screen viewing, or ipod fiddling is possible for a newbie. This gave both of them a valuable life skill - and ultimately, confidence to handle stuff others simply avoid. Great for gals and guys to have in their tool kit.
If she learns to drive that 3-spd, it is not a far jump to the 4-spd crash box, and the larger trucks. And if she can do that, there isn't much she could not drive.
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