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I recently picked up this '78 F150 4x2 6 Cyl manual. The truck originally had a column shift and the guy I bought it from (84 yrs. old) didn't remember which trans he stuck in 24 years ago. Tag shows, best I can read:
RTS BV AH7
E6TR MA 1590
What do I have? I plan to fix enough to drive it for fun. However I am a FE guy and plan to drop a 390 I have in it. Trying to figure if this trans will be ok behind the 390. It's not a racer but the 390 is 457HP with a 282S cam so it's not for torque but there is plenty. I'm thinking the C5TA FE bell housing should work.
Thank you for the response. I appreciate the link to the RTS discussion. I doubt I'll keep the trans I have. Which 4 speed trans, no OD for 4x2 is the king of the era? T-18? I won't be doing any highway use but could tow a trailer occasionally.
IMO a T19 would work. Usable first gear, depending on your axle and tire. All synchro. 1:1 4th. Built for larger engines and diesels in light trucks.
IMO the old performance toploader, upon which the RTS is based, has a first gear of 2.78 or 2.32. Again, depending on gear and tire that's a little tall for a heavier vehicle. Although, some people run 'em. Expect it to b 3 times what a T19 would cost.
IMO a T19 would work. Usable first gear, depending on your axle and tire. All synchro. 1:1 4th. Built for larger engines and diesels in light trucks.
IMO the old performance toploader, upon which the RTS is based, has a first gear of 2.78 or 2.32. Again, depending on gear and tire that's a little tall for a heavier vehicle. Although, some people run 'em. Expect it to b 3 times what a T19 would cost.
I appreciate the info. I’ve really only dealt with car Toploaders. I have three of them with big in/out I’ve built plus a bunch of parts. I don’t know if I could find a suitable shifter? However I like the idea of the T-19. In 1978 I bought my first ‘71 F100 but never messed with the trans. I bought a new ‘80 4x4 big block with a creeper gear first 4 speed. It was new and never had to deal with the trans. Not even sure what model was in the ‘80. I was 19 and girls were on my mind at the time and the dependable truck was not 🤣 So 44 years between my ‘71 Bump and my current’78 Dent. I’ve got some catching up to do. Thanks
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