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Transmission interchangability

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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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rmalottwtes30's Avatar
rmalottwtes30
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Transmission interchangability

I posted this here I thought it would get a better response well anyways. My truck is a 1976 ford with a 3 speed tranny and a 300 engine. I want a trnasmission with more gears I have the oppurtunity to get a free I believe 4 or 5 speed with a bulldog gear that came out of a late 1970 ford with a 351M. Will there be anyway that this would fit under my truck, It was a 4x4 also ill have to take the transfer case off will it work still thanks. Ryan
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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The 4 speed available with the 351M would be in reality a three speed also with a granny gear. With those transmissions you start off in 2nd then shift to 3rd then 4th. 4th gear is not an overdrive. The bell housing would not match either. Stick with your present transmission.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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Ok another question, would the bell housing off a 300 work on that transmission, or are the bolt up different? I am not really satisfied with my transmission Im having problems with the linkage and want to get a top loader transmission.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 05:10 PM
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That's what his last line actually means.

The bolt patterns are different and will not bolt up.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 05:12 PM
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Your linkage problem may be related to bad/rusted cab mounts, -a common problem.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 05:28 PM
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Ok thanks guys! Ill have to check out the cab mounts. So the 3 speed is a good transmission I suppose?
 
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 07:53 PM
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If you can't get your linkage problems straightend out, worst case scenario is put an aftermarket 3 speed floor shifter kit in. Cheeper and less of a headache than swaping trannys. Everyones diffrent but I think the 3 speed is a good tranny. Ford used it a good deal.
 

Last edited by eveready77; Mar 26, 2006 at 07:55 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2006 | 10:46 PM
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From: In the Middle
Originally Posted by eveready77
If you can't get your linkage problems straightend out, worst case scenario is put an aftermarket 3 speed floor shifter kit in.
My '78 F150 2wd that I recently bought has a 3 speed floor shifter in it. The shifter has a "funny" feel to it because it shifts the gears using linkages, but it does work flawlessly. I like the 3 speed manuals as well.
 
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Old Mar 27, 2006 | 06:50 AM
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I response to rmalottwtes30's first post. Your current bellhousing will not fit the granny 4 speed, but the granny 4 speeds did come behind a 300 with a bell housing that will fit the 300. I have about three of them that are from an NP435 four speed and a 300. The biggest problem sounds like you have a 2wd truck and a tranny from a 4wd. I don't think that there are easy ways to put a tailshaft for a 2wd on a 4wd tranny. If you had a 2wd 4 speed you could put the smaller bell housing on it and use it behind your 300. Keep in mind you may have crossmember and driveshaft issues. You may also need the center hump floor pan from a truck with a four speed to get the hole in the floor in the right place. I would see what you could do to do the tranny swap. The four speeds, either NP435 or T18, are five times the tranny the three speed is with, and no linkage to wear out. Also an NP435 is a piece of cake to rebuild. Good luck.

Steve
 
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