Rebuilding a 428 and decided to use the TKO. I sent an email to Tremec to find out what all I need to use their tranny and they replyed to me with, " The 3550/TKO was essentially designed as a replacement for the T5’s behind the 5.0 engine. I’m most sure you would need to fabricate a new housing or adapter plate for the FE block. While the rear shift pad (std.) is most commonly used there are kits available to convert to either the forward or center location." I have seen a few posts on here about the TKO on the FEs so I know it can be done. I just need to know what (adapters, linkages, bellhousing) I need to buy or fab. to make it work.

thanks
Brian

 

Brian,
A Tremec (TKO or TR3550) will be an easy swap behind an FE.
I converted my 68 Torino w/ a Toploader 4 speed to a TKO two
years ago. Overall, the TKO shares many of the same mounting
points and dimenstions as a Toploader (and hence, most other
manual trans found behind Ford V-8s). The three big differences
were that the TKOs input shaft is longer (this requires a spacer
[about .75 inches thick] between the bellhousing and trans). Second,
the TKO uses a 26 spline input shaft (requires a "reverse hub"
GM type clutch disk. Don't use a regular GM disk, the disk may
hit your flywheel mounting bolts). Third, the Tremec case is
about 1.5 inches longer than my Toploader, and I had to have
my drive shaft shortened.
Everything else bolted up like the Toploader (speedo gear, cross-
member, bellhousing bolt patter was the same). Oh yeah. Don't
be fooled by the Tremec's aluminum case. I weighted my TKO (98 lbs).
Same weight as my cast iron Toploader...go figure.

I bought my TKO from DarkHorse performance (they specialize in
adapting Tremecs to older cars and trucks). They sold me a TKO,
shiftstick, spacer plate, and drive-shaft yoke. I was pleased with
their service.
http://www.darkhorseperformance.com/

I have also seen that Jim Swarr auto will shorten the input shaft
on Tremecs, to eliminate the need for a spacer plate. I've never
dealt w/ him/them, however.

Good luck. I hope you like your Tremec as much as I do. Overdrive
is sweeet!

Ohio Bill

 

I just put a TKO in my truck, what all did I need to change? not much I needed the TKO, and I needed the clutch disc, the TKO came with the new output shaft for a 1330 which I already had converted my driveshaft to anyways when I had it shortened for the toploader (about 6 inches shorter) the tranny crossmember bolts up about 1" further back then the rear hole so new holes needed drilled. I ordered the FE version of the TKO and it bolted right in although I've read recently that the truck 4 speed bellhousings dont need a shortened input shaft...

 

added it up today and I gained 3 MPG on a tired 360

 

Where did you find the Tremec kit for the FE? I asked Tremec themselves and they said I'd have to do all kinds of modifying.
Thanx,
Bri

 

Forte's auto parts
http://www.fortesparts.com/cobratranspage.html when I called they said it was the last one they thought that they had but they might have more now, shipping literally across the country was like $88 it wasn't that hard of a install, the tranny is about as heavy as the NP435 and felt heavier than my toploader by a fair amount.