bellhousing question
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
bellhousing question
i nor my buddy have any of the yblock stuff laying around any more , but i got a brain fart and got a question now . i have been using the 53 pretty extensiveley as a truck and that little three speed has me wondering wether it'll survive much serious use . i still have access to a couple of the big four gears from a couple of sources from y block equipped trucks . i was wondering if they have the same bolt pattern as the flatty . i know they will use larger bolts , but im figuring i can use bushings to cure that unless i get lucky and find a flatty bellhousing around here for the big pigs . so any ideas or info ? appreciate it guys .
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Assuming the 53 in your gallery is the one you are talking about, and it is a 3 speed floor shift transmission. If this is true, then you can simply replace the 3 speed with a 4 speed. According to my book here, the 3 speed H/D (the floor shift 3 speed), uses uses the same case through '55. The bellhousing (according to my book) is the same for the 3 speed H/D, and 4 speed helical gear trans. So, according to what I am reading in the way of part number info, you can swap the 3 speed H/D directly with the 4 speed helical, and it will be a direct bolt in fit, with no other modifications required. The only exception may be the drive shaft, if it is not the same length, but that may not be the case. So, to sum it up, pull the 3 speed H/D, and put your 4 speed helical gear tranny in its place, and call it good.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I guess I should also say that the 3 speed H/D (which I think you have) is just a 3 speed version of the 4 speed, and that little flathead aint gonna hurt that sob unless you are a hard shifter and have a habit of mashing gears, and crunchin stuff up. So, pull the plug, check the fluid condition, if you're really concerned, pull the tranny floor plate, and pop the top off the tranny and have a look inside. If it all looks good, put some fresh gear oil in it, and put her to use. I think you'll send u-joints and rear axle parts flying before you send that tranny into orbit.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
nope wmjoe the floor shift was added by previous owner . it is the light duty 3 speed .. im gonna go ahead and pick one of the4 gears up and go through it and give her he-- i think . ive still got the driveshafts out of several of the other trucks including one from a one ton so we can make it work . heck the tranny is free so what the hades right . thanx fellas .
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Unless you're trying to do "Hole Shots" with a 2000# load on that truck I wouldn't be too concerned.
Remember unlike todays trucks these were designed from the bottom up to work. Ford overdesigned these by quite a bit so that they would haul the load.
I don't know how many times I tipped the scales at the dump with over a ton of crap in an F1/F100.
If a truck had a Heavy Duty Tranny, add booster springs and haul more.
Remember unlike todays trucks these were designed from the bottom up to work. Ford overdesigned these by quite a bit so that they would haul the load.
I don't know how many times I tipped the scales at the dump with over a ton of crap in an F1/F100.
If a truck had a Heavy Duty Tranny, add booster springs and haul more.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
well i just pulled out some ol' tree stumps and it didnt flinch . just wish i'd got some pictures of that thing with the tires smokin' as thats probably the only way that flatty is gonna light 'em up ! on the other hand i still have not ,due to a lack of useable for myself time , gotten the darn tranny out to repair the synchro's in it . by the time i do it'll be trash i imagine . i usually will overbuild if you will if the stuff is there and i figure what the hades i might as well . now to find a bellhousing el cheapo ! oh and dont tell no one but i have been known to wind 'er up and let it fly . even with a load on it if im pushed or in the right mood . 
oh and yeah yer right about todays stuff , the gmc i had ate the 4l60e when i tried to pull a trailer with a 71 440 cuda for my bud norm . damn thing got us into town but when i went to get the wife it went f---you kevin and i creeped home in low . 1500 later i had a truck i never ever used again as a truck just couldn't do it . they are more car / computor hybrid than a real truck. it did go 239700 and some change though before it was sold ......
Last edited by 55 f350; Nov 8, 2007 at 03:52 PM.
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