and 9inch.
E150 Trans swap
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E150 Trans swap
I have a 1978 E-159 that came with a 351W, 3speed overdrive, and 9inch.
I found a 4 speed with overdrive [RUG-CL, bell housing, and matching shift linkage, from a dead E-150 with a 6 cyl engine.
What issues are there switching to a better manual ???
as the 3 speed overdrive trans is okay, but they have 2nd gear synchro issues, and the weird linkage which going from 3rd to 4th, does the following:
linage rod shifts out of 3rd. and then
linkage rod shift back into 3rd while another linkage rod shifts into overdrive.
Also is there a Hurst shifter kit for the RUG-CL ???
[note the ford shift linkage is the same as F-150, but has the shifter facing forward on the linkage, when the trucks and cars has the shifter backward]
Does anyone have good used pedal assembly, clutch linkage or shift linkage they want to sell ???
[I'm rebuilding my clutch linkage, etc. but want to find spares]
Also were is the best place to buy vintage parts for this E-150, and most of the small parts are the same as the F-150, with the same engine and transmission???
Many Thanks, David
I found a 4 speed with overdrive [RUG-CL, bell housing, and matching shift linkage, from a dead E-150 with a 6 cyl engine.
What issues are there switching to a better manual ???
as the 3 speed overdrive trans is okay, but they have 2nd gear synchro issues, and the weird linkage which going from 3rd to 4th, does the following:
linage rod shifts out of 3rd. and then
linkage rod shift back into 3rd while another linkage rod shifts into overdrive.
Also is there a Hurst shifter kit for the RUG-CL ???
[note the ford shift linkage is the same as F-150, but has the shifter facing forward on the linkage, when the trucks and cars has the shifter backward]
Does anyone have good used pedal assembly, clutch linkage or shift linkage they want to sell ???
[I'm rebuilding my clutch linkage, etc. but want to find spares]
Also were is the best place to buy vintage parts for this E-150, and most of the small parts are the same as the F-150, with the same engine and transmission???
Many Thanks, David
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
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From: Roseville, MN
I could be wrong, but I didn't think there were any 3 speed overdrives, just 4 and 5 (until recently when there are 6, 7, 8 and 9 speeds, probably even more). Or is your "3 speed overdrive" really "3 speeds plus overdrive" which would make it a 4 speed overdrive?
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
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From: south louisiana
I could be wrong, but I didn't think there were any 3 speed overdrives, just 4 and 5 (until recently when there are 6, 7, 8 and 9 speeds, probably even more). Or is your "3 speed overdrive" really "3 speeds plus overdrive" which would make it a 4 speed overdrive?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The standard equipment trans installed in 1975/87 E100/250 300/302/351W was the Ford type 3.03 3 Speed Manual all Syncromesh Transmission. The C6 A/T was optional. Both are column shifted.
1978/87 E100/250 300/302/351W were also available with the optional RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive.
This trans was also installed in misc mid-sized 1977/83 200/250/255/302 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars & 1978/83 F100/150 2WD 300/302.
The E100/250's used a unique shift lever mechanism, different than cars and F100/150.
This trans is a "weak sister" originally planned to be installed in cars, but due to the two Arab Oil Embargo's that occurred in the 1970's, it was installed in F100/150 & E100/250 in an effort to improve MPG
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
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From: South central, Minnesota
No Econoline of any year came with a 3 speed manual trans with overdrive.
The standard equipment trans installed in 1975/87 E100/250 300/302/351W was the Ford type 3.03 3 Speed Manual all Syncromesh Transmission. The C6 A/T was optional. Both are column shifted.
1978/87 E100/250 300/302/351W were also available with the optional RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive.
This trans was also installed in misc mid-sized 1977/83 200/250/255/302 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars & 1978/83 F100/150 2WD 300/302.
The E100/250's used a unique shift lever mechanism, different than cars and F100/150.
This trans is a "weak sister" originally planned to be installed in cars, but due to the two Arab Oil Embargo's that occurred in the 1970's, it was installed in F100/150 & E100/250 in an effort to improve MPG
The standard equipment trans installed in 1975/87 E100/250 300/302/351W was the Ford type 3.03 3 Speed Manual all Syncromesh Transmission. The C6 A/T was optional. Both are column shifted.
1978/87 E100/250 300/302/351W were also available with the optional RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive.
This trans was also installed in misc mid-sized 1977/83 200/250/255/302 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars & 1978/83 F100/150 2WD 300/302.
The E100/250's used a unique shift lever mechanism, different than cars and F100/150.
This trans is a "weak sister" originally planned to be installed in cars, but due to the two Arab Oil Embargo's that occurred in the 1970's, it was installed in F100/150 & E100/250 in an effort to improve MPG
Bill I'm pretty sure he is talking about the RUG 4spd. I owned basically the same van. 78 E150, 351W, 4 spd on the floor ( 4th was OD ) , 9" rear axle. For some reason people call them 3 speed OD's instead of saying the total # of forward gears. Some people also call the NP 435 a 3spd instead of a 4spd too.
The transmission has the external shift linkages and a shifter that bolts to the side of tailshaft housing. It is almost the twin of the famous 60's- early 70's toplaoder 4spd muscle car transmission. This one just has a OD in place of the 1:1 4th gear and is much weaker.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
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From: south louisiana
The transmission has the external shift linkages and a shifter that bolts to the side of tailshaft housing. It is almost the twin of the famous 60's- early 70's toplaoder 4spd muscle car transmission. This one just has a OD in place of the 1:1 4th gear and is much weaker.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
IF the RUG OD isn't what he has now then he most likely has just a plain old 3.03 3spd that someone converted to a floor shift ( if it's not a 3 on the tree still ) .
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Bill I'm pretty sure he is talking about the RUG 4spd. I owned basically the same van. 78 E150, 351W, 4 spd on the floor ( 4th was OD ) , 9" rear axle. For some reason people call them 3 speed OD's instead of saying the total # of forward gears. Some people also call the NP 435 a 3spd instead of a 4spd too.
No Econoline of any year had a 3 speed overdrive, so the only 3 speed M/T the OP's E150 could have is the Ford type 3.03 3 speed all synchro column shifter.
The 3 speed overdrive is electric, operated by a manually operated cable located under the dash to the left of the column.
O/D relay on the firewall, kickdown switch under the gas pedal, solenoid and governor on the trans. Optional: 1941/51 Lincoln, misc 1949/67 Ford/Merc cars, 1953/71 F100's.
The US Gov't outlawed the 3 speed O/D after 1971, because when in O/D, the vehicles are basically free wheeling with no engine braking.
Here's a pic of the O/D unit that mounted to the back of the Warner T-85N 3 speed trans. T-86 O/D also used in cars and early F100's
T-85 O/D (besides the above): 1941/54 Packard L head 8 (Packard called it Econo-Drive) / 1955/56 Packard OHV V8 / 1955/56 Nash/Hudson & 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk w/Packard V8.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Good bye Old Paint, we're a leavin' Cheyenne, the feds outlawed O/D, so we can't get a 1972 F100 with one...
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
I said weaker then the Top loader. Which is true and yes much weaker. I've owned and ran both in the past. The Top Loader can handle a whole lot more then the RUG OD. Like I said I had the OD in a van. And I've used a couple in some hot rod projects. They are fine for a driver. If he has all the parts for the RUG OD swap from another vehicle, it will work fine. But also don't be surprised if it breaks, if you abuse it. I beat on my van pretty good that had one. I lucked out that the clutch went instead of the transmission. But I have broke a couple others. But I tend to drive my stuff like I stole it.
IF the RUG OD isn't what he has now then he most likely has just a plain old 3.03 3spd that someone converted to a floor shift ( if it's not a 3 on the tree still ) .
IF the RUG OD isn't what he has now then he most likely has just a plain old 3.03 3spd that someone converted to a floor shift ( if it's not a 3 on the tree still ) .
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Yea. Just in time for me to get my driver's license ! Gawd that was such a relief when they got rid of that to someone making a living driving. Now the insurance companies are doing it to us.