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M5OD to replace ZF

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Old Dec 9, 2004 | 01:59 PM
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M5OD to replace ZF

Yes, I did type that correctly.

I have a 95 F-150 that I want to put a ZF in, and a beater 89 F-250 that I would like to take the ZF out of, and put it into the F-150. I decided to take the M5OD from the F-150, and put it back into the F-250 so I could have a working vehicle out of the deal. I'm basically just taking two trucks and swaping the trannies. I have no worries about the strength of the M5 in that position, so besides that....

I'm going to run the ZF with a centerforce dual friction clutch behind the 393 stroker, that situation has pretty much been figured out. What I need help on, is getting the M5 into the F-250.

The F-250 has a 351, the M5 was originally behind a 302. Will the pressure plate that was used on the F-150/M5/302 work and bolt up to the flywheel on the 351 or do I need a 351 specific pressure plate? What other things are of concern? Any light able to be shed on this? Thanks...
 
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Old Dec 9, 2004 | 02:13 PM
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I think 302 & 351 use same pressure plate. HOWEVER, your 95 probably had an 11.5" clutch (95 351w has 11.5" clutch for sure, not positive about 302), while the 89 F250 will have an 11" clutch. So you need either a new clutch, or a new flywheel. I think the change from 11" to 11.5" clutch was about 93.

EDIT: After doing some researching on www.car-part.com, it looks like the 302 used the same flywheel from about 1988 right up to 1997, so it is likely an 11" clutch, and it was only the 351w that upgraded to 11.5" So now my advice is to see if the 302 clutch bolts onto the 351w flywheel, and if it does, run with it. Hope this helps.

SECOND EDIT: Why not just leave the 351w clutch all assembled, since it's already there? It has been established by others that no clutch change is required when switching from M5OD to ZF, I can't see why it would be any different when switching the other way.

How many times have I changed my mind now?
 

Last edited by loudfords; Dec 9, 2004 at 02:35 PM.
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by loudfords
SECOND EDIT: Why not just leave the 351w clutch all assembled, since it's already there? It has been established by others that no clutch change is required when switching from M5OD to ZF, I can't see why it would be any different when switching the other way.
So I can just disconnect the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder, unbolt the ZF and slide it out (leaving the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate connected to the 351), slide the ZF outta there, and simply bolt the M5 back in it's place and bleed the clutch?


Last time I just simply disconnected the hydraulic line at the master cylinder near where you put the clutch fluid in. I left the actual tube on the M5 because I couldn't figure out how the line came off the tranny. How does this line come off the tranny?

I've noticed that the hydraulic lines are different on the two trucks, do they just swap over? How difficult and expensive is it to replace the slave cylinder on the ZF? Also, should I replace anything else in regards to the clutch/tranny system on the F-150's ZF install? It looks like $86 for the slave cylinder and $55 for the clutch master cylinder, should I replace those and if so, what brand or where should I buy them. I just checked prices on autozones website, but their parts usually stink. Both vehicle's parts seem to work perfectly fine, and the ZF is not being rebuilt yet (has 133k) before going into the F-150, so the ZF will be back out in a year or so maybe. Maybe wait on the slave cyl and master cyl til I rebuild the ZF?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by MustangGT221
So I can just disconnect the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder, unbolt the ZF and slide it out (leaving the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate connected to the 351), slide the ZF outta there, and simply bolt the M5 back in it's place and bleed the clutch?
They have the same input splines so I believe it is just that simple.

Last time I just simply disconnected the hydraulic line at the master cylinder near where you put the clutch fluid in. I left the actual tube on the M5 because I couldn't figure out how the line came off the tranny. How does this line come off the tranny?
Someone else will have to help you on this one. I have heard it's the same type of connector as the fuel rails though.

I've noticed that the hydraulic lines are different on the two trucks, do they just swap over? How difficult and expensive is it to replace the slave cylinder on the ZF? Also, should I replace anything else in regards to the clutch/tranny system on the F-150's ZF install? It looks like $86 for the slave cylinder and $55 for the clutch master cylinder, should I replace those and if so, what brand or where should I buy them. I just checked prices on autozones website, but their parts usually stink. Both vehicle's parts seem to work perfectly fine, and the ZF is not being rebuilt yet (has 133k) before going into the F-150, so the ZF will be back out in a year or so maybe. Maybe wait on the slave cyl and master cyl til I rebuild the ZF?
If it works fine now, I'd say just leave it and replace the slave when you rebuild the tranny, otherwise you might damage it and need to replace it twice.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 04:25 PM
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Sounds excellent....can anyone tell me how that hydraulic line comes off? I'll have to investigate it myself further as well.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 05:13 PM
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heres a pic but u can just use 2 straight screw drivers and push the clip back
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 08:12 PM
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I was able to use an 89 F250 hyd line (i got it free from a friend) in my 93..only problem is that it wasn't bent to fit properly in my truck and it took some tweaking to get it to fit. But it worked none the less
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 09:41 PM
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I think that is exactly what I will run into.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2005 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by MustangGT221
Last time I just simply disconnected the hydraulic line at the master cylinder near where you put the clutch fluid in. I left the actual tube on the M5 because I couldn't figure out how the line came off the tranny. How does this line come off the tranny?

I have found that I the white sleeve inside the connector, needs to be pushed in towards the slave cylinder (via screwdriver, or similar tool), then you can tug on the hose and the fitting will separate (just a little more elaborate than the description above).

Also, I can leave the cluch tubes with either vehicle, since the slave cylinder is in the same spot, I can use the F-150's tube that went to the M5 in place, and just put the ZF in there and connect it. So the tubes will be run correctly and ok.
 
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