Hey everyone. I have a '64 f-100 with the 292 and 3 speed manual tranny. What would i need to convert the truck to a 390 engine. Will the trans bolt up to the bellhousing or is there a special adapter for that. Really need to know everything on how to do this so my truck wont be sitting in the driveway through winter.

 

It will not bolt up and I'm not sure if there is an adapter easily available. that depends on which 3 speed it is, you might be able to get and FE bellhousing if that tranny was ever equipped to an FE from the factory. It might be easier to get and FE and transmission together.

 

Well your not going to get a Y block tranny to bolt up to an FE motor..... I dont remember if TransDapt makes a adapter plate for that conversion or not...But I dont think with the Torque that the 390 has the Little 3 speed that was behind the 292 would last long anyway..

I think like Gtex said..I would just do a motor and trans swap!!

Russ

 

Here are a few thoughts.. If you decide to swap in the FE, you should look for an engine swap frame kit. The 292 bolted in at the timing cover and the flanges on the bellhousing. You would need to find an timing cover and bellhousing off of a FE powered 65-67 4x4 truck to pull the correct "factory" swap parts.

--Mike

 

Mike I not sure what you are talking about on the 65-67 4x4 "factory" swap parts, my 66 4x4 the engine mounts are on the side of the engine like the 2wd's and the trans mount in under the trans and not at the bellhousing.

 

I've heard that the front crossmember from an FE equipped '65 f-100 would probably work but i'm still not sure how to do the tranny setup. I can't find any pictures or specs for my 3 speed and the newer one from the '65 and '66s. Think you guys are right about my tranny being too small for a 390. Guess i'll be looking at changing the whole driveline along with the motor unless I find an adapter. Where's a good place to look for specs on these things??

 

I know what my tranny looks like but dont know what its rated for. I had a '65 f-100 with the 352 3 speed but cant remember if it had the same bolt pattern or if some of them had extra bolt holes for a different bellhousing.

 

Your 292 has a bellhousing that bolts to the frame. You'll need a similar bellhousing from a 352 truck of the same era. They're out there, including on ebay, but you'll have to be patient. I have FT parts for the front engine mount thing, but the FT is a slightly different engine than the FE (390). I don't know how the old 352's mounted, whether they had side mounts or a front mount like the 292.

 

there are aftermarket crossmembers for the side mounts on FE's, I made my own from a crossmembr out of a early 60's passenger car, I have an adapter for the FE bell housing that has the ears for the that crossmember, but its for a 4spd truck trans, don't know if one was made for a 3 speed

 

get you a 390 and find a 4 speed trans out of a car like i did.


I have a 390 built with a 4 speed from a 427 galxie. FUN RIDE

check around some local junkyards. they will sell you some good combos for a cheap price.


-Brandon-