I'm wanting to get rid of my stock tranny and was wondering if anyone new anything about the ZF5 trans. Wondering if it would be a straight bolt up or need an adapter plate. It is a 351M.

 

If you can find a ZF behind a 460, it will bolt to the 351M. However, there are other considerations, linkage, length, etc. Here are a couple of threads on the subject.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=44122

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=491013

 

Thanks for the articles, sounds like I'm not the only one looking for another gear.

 

I have been browsing the forums for a few years and until a few weeks ago there was only 1 person I knew to succesfully put a ZF behind and M-block motor, and he dissappeared a long while ago. I really really want to do this myself, but I dont know much about trannies so this project is kinda over my head. And I am sure if I took the idea to a shop they would laugh at me...

 

I suspect that the most time consuming and perhaps difficult aspect of a project like this would be in fabrication. With the right transmission, it will bolt up to the 351M/400. However, there will be fabrication involved to adjust for clearances, get an operable linkage, and the different application.

I can wrench on just about anything, but fabrication is not my long suit, so I won't be taking on a project like this anytime soon. As far as outside shops, it would probably need to be a specialty type shop, instead of a general tranny shop, to do this swap.

A hydraulic clutch setup could possibly ease some of the fabrication process, though I personally would not go that route due to my view of the hydraulic clutch operation and my past history with hydraulic clutches.

 

There were no mechanical linkage clutches with the ZF. They're all hydraulic. Some of the very early ones were external slave cylinder, but after 88 or so they were all concentric. It wouldn't be that hard of a project, I wouldn't think. I just wouldn't know what flywheel or clutch kit to use.

 

Well, I dont know what all the differences are in linkages and stuff since I am no tranny expert, but both successful ZF swaps onto M-block motors on these forums were converted to manual clutches. And yes, you have to fab all sorts of spacers and whatnot, the clutch sits further away and the stock arms wont even touch it... I can do the fab work but I dont know what I am looking at when it comes to a tranny... I mean give me the specs or blueprints and I can do it but stick something foreign infornt of me that I dont even know what all the parts are, well thats a bit tougher. Its been said a few times that keeping all the hydraulics might make the swap easier, but since no one has done that I am not really sure.

Seems like I am the ONLY one on the entire FTE that actually likes hydraulic clutches lol! Both of my trucks have been hydraulic and I have no complaints or problems. However I have found driving manual clutches to be a bit difficult around the city. With a hyd I can shift seemlessly, balance perfectly on a hill, feather it on slippery slopes, etc. Always thought I was excellent on the clutch until I drove a manual a few times! Perhaps its something to do with my chicken legs. My bro-in-laws 78 cheby takes so much force to push that dam clutch down that my foot once slipped off the side of the pedal while pushing down and punched a nice hole in his floor board! The only advantage I could possibly see would be durability, and since I have never had any problems yet with hydraulics... I mean its not like its electronic or something weird.