Do any of the diesel bellhousings bolt up to a 460(385 series) engine as iI would like to install a 5 or 6 speed behind a worked 460 and not be paraniod about breaking it everytime a gave it some right boot! If not does anyone make an adaptor and which is the strongest gearbox?

 

The ZF 5 spd was available behind the 460 (I have one) and also the diesel and is a pretty strong piece (Rated for 470 lb-ft). My understanding is that you have to look for one that was built for the 460 though as the bolt pattern at the bellhousing (which is cast with the transmission case) is different for the 460 than it is for the diesel. Other than that they are almost identical trannys.

There is also a company out there that makes adapters to put Clark five speeds behind 460s. Clarks were used in medium duty trucks in the 70s and 80s. They have a lower torque rating (something like 280 lb-ft) but are medium duty trannies and are supposed to be very strong. I know of a guy on the Ford Diesel site that has one behind a powerstroke. E-mail me if you are interested in the contact information for this company and I will get it to you.

Another company you might want to contact is Advanced Adapters. They make adapters for putting a number of non-factory tranny/engine combos together. The last time I checked, though they didn't have anything for the 460. They generally specialize in the NV4500 which is the heavy duty 5spd that Dodge uses in their 3/4 ton trucks. This tranny is rated for 450 lb-ft and is iron case in contrast to the ZF units which are aluminum.

Now if you want a challenge and a really strong transmission you could go to the ZF 6 speed that is behind the diesels in the new trucks. This tranny is rated for 650 lb-ft. As it was never offered behind the 460 and the bolt pattern seems to be different at the bellhousing between the diesel and the 460 I would imagine some custom work would be in order for this one.

 

I can't tell you what will fit with which but that ZF 6 speed is a great trans. It even has its own internal oil pump!

 

Joe,

I'm curious how much better, in your opinion, the ZF 6 is than the ZF 5.

Thanks,

Neil

 

The ZF 6 speed is stronger and has the gears cut so that the gear noise has been reduced which is how they were able to eliminate that expensive and troublesome dual mass flywheel. And, it has more ratios to choose from (first gear is a granny gear). If it will fit the application and you can get one, the 6 speed is the way to go. (My opinion only.)

 

Joe,

Thanks for your $0.02. I may look into swapping in the 6 spd at some future date. There may be considerable obstacles to mounting it behind a 460 but it might be worth the hassle.

Thanks,

Neil

 

 

Is the bellhousing on the 6 speed intergrated as well? and could please tell me the exact models that it came out on. I could always make a adaptor and even a new (longer) input shaft. That torque rating and the granny 1st sound good as I have a 4WD that I tow a 40ft gooseneck with. Anybody got a list on the gear ratios?

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-01 AT 01:05 PM (EST)[/font][p]The bell housing on the 6spd is integral as well. It came in any U.S. built '99-present F-250, F-350, F-450, or F-550 with the power stroke diesel engine. It is my understanding that it will be offered behind the gasoline engines in '02 as an option.

I don't know exactly what the gear ratios are but these are approximate

Low - 5.7:1
1st - 3.3:1
2nd - 2.2:1
3rd - ?
4th - 1:1
5th - 0.72:1

By the way, if you do manage to put the 6spd behind a 460 I, for one, would be very interested in knowing what all it takes to accomplish it.