390 and a C4?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Peoria, Arizona
390 and a C4?
I just received 2 390 engines with my restoration project and they both have c6 trannies on them. I also got a 300 and c4 with a different resto project.
I'd like my 56 F100 to be manual so can a c4 mate up with my 390? And would that even be a good match if it can?
I know the c4 is from 1982 but the 390's are anyones guess. How can I identify the year of my engines?
Thanks in advance guys
I'd like my 56 F100 to be manual so can a c4 mate up with my 390? And would that even be a good match if it can?
I know the c4 is from 1982 but the 390's are anyones guess. How can I identify the year of my engines?
Thanks in advance guys
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
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From: Colville, Washington
I am not following, the C4 is also a 3 speed automatic for lighter duty than the C6.
There is a date near the oil filter adapter on the 390s on a small tag looking boss. The casting number for the block is above the starter.
There is a date near the oil filter adapter on the 390s on a small tag looking boss. The casting number for the block is above the starter.
Last edited by Putt; Aug 12, 2009 at 04:41 PM. Reason: Corrections
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,562
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From: Long Island USA
A 435NP will be a stout tranny that you could easily get to mate to the 390, but not sure where the shifter comes out in a '56 F100 
The 435NP has a granny first, and 3 other gears with no overdrive, so it can be overkill for that you're doing.
As for what year the 390s are, get the engine casting number, the head casting numbers, and the intake casting number, and we can approximate what year it is, within a certain range.
The 435NP has a granny first, and 3 other gears with no overdrive, so it can be overkill for that you're doing.
As for what year the 390s are, get the engine casting number, the head casting numbers, and the intake casting number, and we can approximate what year it is, within a certain range.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 360
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From: Napa
Yep, serious race guys are running the C-4's for the same reason Chebbie guys have went to a 350 or PG instead of a 400- takes less power to turn it, car goes faster and is more consistant. Downside is increased maintenance as the smaller tranny's aren't as durable. A C-4/ big block in a pickup would probably not be a good idea, probably wouldn't last too long. And yeah, those bellhousings are gold-plated hen's teeth 
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Peoria, Arizona
The second engine hasn't arrived yet (next weekend) and I havent dissassembled the truck yet (this weekend). As soon as I can get a good view of the numbers I will post them up. Where are they located on the engine?
I'm torn between having the original column shifter, a floor shifter, or staying auto. I think i would end up being happier with the floor. I want a tranny that is going to last a long time because I really dislike pulling an engine/tranny in the Arizona heat...
I plan on doing a frame off resto. so I will probably be bugging you guys alot on how to get this newer engine to mate up with this older vehicle. The %&$*ing PO put the engine in crooked...
Thanks for all the replies!
I'm torn between having the original column shifter, a floor shifter, or staying auto. I think i would end up being happier with the floor. I want a tranny that is going to last a long time because I really dislike pulling an engine/tranny in the Arizona heat...
I plan on doing a frame off resto. so I will probably be bugging you guys alot on how to get this newer engine to mate up with this older vehicle. The %&$*ing PO put the engine in crooked...
Thanks for all the replies!
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Charelston, Illinois
Alcaeus –
Welcome to forum 51! The folks on this forum are great and are very generous with their wealth of knowledge. I just completed a 1955 F100 with a 390/C6 combo. Last summer I ran into a several major problems (i.e., low oil pressure, lifters) with my 390 and the people on this forum were a tremendous help. I ended up tearing the engine completely down and going through it myself (I had a chevy machine shop do the work; a big no-no). I am a young grasshopper, so the experience of tearing down the motor and bringing it back to life was great. As of date, I have about 700 miles on the engine and everything is going well (knock on wood). The information from the people on this forum was the only way I could have done it. Also, the search function is an excellent resource (I do more reading than posting).
If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them as they relate to a 390 in a mid-fifties truck. I will leave the technical engine questions to the experts here on this forum.
<O
</O
Lance
<O</O
1955 F100
Heidt’s IFS
9” Ford Rear-End
Flaming River Steering Column
C6 Transmission
390 FE
30 over
TRW forged pistons
Edelbrock RPM Heads
Edelbrock intake
Edelbrock carb (1406)
Welcome to forum 51! The folks on this forum are great and are very generous with their wealth of knowledge. I just completed a 1955 F100 with a 390/C6 combo. Last summer I ran into a several major problems (i.e., low oil pressure, lifters) with my 390 and the people on this forum were a tremendous help. I ended up tearing the engine completely down and going through it myself (I had a chevy machine shop do the work; a big no-no). I am a young grasshopper, so the experience of tearing down the motor and bringing it back to life was great. As of date, I have about 700 miles on the engine and everything is going well (knock on wood). The information from the people on this forum was the only way I could have done it. Also, the search function is an excellent resource (I do more reading than posting).
If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them as they relate to a 390 in a mid-fifties truck. I will leave the technical engine questions to the experts here on this forum.
<O
</OLance
<O
</O1955 F100
Heidt’s IFS
9” Ford Rear-End
Flaming River Steering Column
C6 Transmission
390 FE
30 over
TRW forged pistons
Edelbrock RPM Heads
Edelbrock intake
Edelbrock carb (1406)
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Charelston, Illinois
Jowilker
<O</O
I apologize for any confusion with my lingo. I realize this forum is for Ford Truck Enthusiast interested in FE & FT Big Block V8, but I personally labeled this forum 51 because of the web address https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/. At the end of the web address, it lists “forum51”, hence why I call this "forum 51". I also spend a significant amount of time reading the FTE 1948-1960 Forum and I personally labeled it “forum41” because of it’s web address (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum41/). Again, I apologize for any confusion.
<O</O
<O</O
Lance<O</O
<O
</OI apologize for any confusion with my lingo. I realize this forum is for Ford Truck Enthusiast interested in FE & FT Big Block V8, but I personally labeled this forum 51 because of the web address https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/. At the end of the web address, it lists “forum51”, hence why I call this "forum 51". I also spend a significant amount of time reading the FTE 1948-1960 Forum and I personally labeled it “forum41” because of it’s web address (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum41/). Again, I apologize for any confusion.
<O
</O<O
</OLance<O
</O
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Skyway, WA
I have a Borg Warner T18 behind my 390. It came to me in a 69 F100. I also have a NP 435 in a 79 F150. Both are similar. I'd say that I like the T18 a bit better as I think it makes less gear noise and I like the shifter a bit better. Neither tranmission I have, have been rebuilt. I have an older T18 where Reverse is to the right and up, never to be confused w/ 4th gear. Newer T18's and 435s Reverse is adjacent to 4th gear, and I've explored the synco for Reverse≤, searching for 4th. The Transmission is heavier than sin and probably indestructible.
My observations dealing w/ 70s era Ford trucks, is that C4 would be standard with a 240,300 289/302. C6 would be standard with 352/360/390 (FE version) and 351M/400,460 (335/385 series version). There also exist C6 for smallblocks that came in Econolines and perhaps 80s era pickups. So there are 3 C6 bellhousing variations. C6 are integral, the bellhousings aren't separate.
My observations dealing w/ 70s era Ford trucks, is that C4 would be standard with a 240,300 289/302. C6 would be standard with 352/360/390 (FE version) and 351M/400,460 (335/385 series version). There also exist C6 for smallblocks that came in Econolines and perhaps 80s era pickups. So there are 3 C6 bellhousing variations. C6 are integral, the bellhousings aren't separate.
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Elder User
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From: Peoria, Arizona
Hello all.
I finally got around to checking on a casting number for that block. its O6me-A but that O is probably a real dirty C
My intake is C6AE-0425-G which tells me its from a 66-7 mustang/fairlane GT 390 for racing applications so I am hoping that is what this block is from! It could also bolt onto a 428 Ford PC. What is a PC?
Is it for sure a 390?
I finally got around to checking on a casting number for that block. its O6me-A but that O is probably a real dirty C
My intake is C6AE-0425-G which tells me its from a 66-7 mustang/fairlane GT 390 for racing applications so I am hoping that is what this block is from! It could also bolt onto a 428 Ford PC. What is a PC?
Is it for sure a 390?
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