I've got a 70 F-100, 302cu, three speed, 2wd. I've been wanting to put a transmition in that has an overdrive. My three speed is about shot. The three speed overdrive transmitions from the early 80's is what ive been looking at. The problem I'm having is whether I have to change the clutch to a 10 in or if I can use the same bellhousing that I already have. If anyone can help it would be really appreciated. Any other sugestions are welcome also. PLEASE HELP

 

Doesn't anyone know anything about this subject or don't you want to help because it is a change rather than original equipment. I've notice that about most of the people who reply to questions. They never seem to want to help people who want to make an upgrade to their truck. This really sucks, I love my '70 F-100. It's a daily driver that sucks the gas. No this isn't new news. All older fords suck gas I know. But there are different needs that everyone has for there old trucks so there has to be different mods you can do for each application. Twenty-five people have looked at my post but not one has tried to help. I would think that out of 25 people there would be at least one person tell me something. I guess I don't understand.

 

Josh, I don't think that you have been around very long at all, or most things just blew over your head. Trashing the posters and other readers here isn't going to get you the help that you want. I think most folk are offered help very quickly. Most of the regular posters do want to see problems resolved. Sometimes the answer that you might want just isn't readily available. You would be doing the work, so we don't care how hard it would be for you to do. I do often recommend from my own experence not to do certain things. A lot of the things that can be done to trucks will far outway in cost, over any return in savings.

I read your post yesterday, and knew that there were manual overdrive trannies out there, but weren't heavly used. I didn't have an answer for you, so I didn't try to make up something. You didn't ask for any alturnitave suggestions, just manual overdrive trannys, or thats what I read from your post. We suggest upgrades to trucks all the time, and sometimes are falling all over each other trying to out help first.

So why don't you take a timeout, and if after the weekend someone hasn't offered you help, realise that there may not be a good answer to your question.


John
jowilker

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

Although I don't have firsthand experience with this swap here's my 2c. It should be a bolt in swap. I would try to use a STOCK clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing from the original application. The only place you may have to get creative is if the splines on the original application clutch don't match the trans you're putting in, in that case go with the clutch that matches the original application the trans came out of. As far as I know that trans was strictly a 1/2 ton truck trans so bellhousing clearance shouldn't be a problem. Additionally, as far as I know that trans was a LIGHTER duty trans than a 3 speed, so I wouldn't expect it to have much of a service life especially if you use your truck for anything other than a daily driver. This isn't a real common swap so 90% of it is going to be playing the odds. For example - What are the chances of Ford retooling for a special bellhousing JUST for that trans? In other words since that trans was one of many that were offered in a light duty truck the odds are it will be a bolt in swap, rather than Detroit going to the trouble of making a one off setup just for that particular setup. Take your tape and go to a junkyard and find a setup like yours amd start measuring. Then find the trans you want to put in and measure that one, see if the measurements are comparable, and make an educated guess because there are no guarantees in this business. That's why Hot Rodding is so much fun and so interesting.

Trail Rider

 

thanks for the info trail rider. As for that particular trans. I'm open to options. I don't have to use that one. If they came in a truck I would think they would last for the aplication. I know that some would last longer than others. thanks again.

 

josh,
I thought I'd give you a little insight also why people read the posts but don't always answer the questions?
1. They might be new to the list and have little or no background in mechanics. ;-)
2. They don't have the answers at hand and have to research them, before replying.
3. The question asked is Stupid! and a high school student taking shop wouldn't ask it!
4. Most people will read a post hopping that it is something they have had experenice with so they can give some guidance, but 9 times out of 10 it's not.
So lighten up dude! your post wasn't even 24hrs old. I've been on this list for over a year and know for a fact that the list members will bend over backwards to help!! Be patient young man and you may go far, "don't" be prepared for silence.

cjones
66 F250 CC/CS

 

Josh,

I would talk to the people at Advance Adapters (www.advanceadapters.com). They make adapters for the small block Ford that allow a NV4500 tranny to be bolted to it. This transmission is used in GM and Dodge trucks-even with the Cummins engine, so it is plenty strong. It is becoming a popular swap for 66-77 Broncos. I bought a tranny and adapter kit for my 76 Bronco, however I have not put it in yet. The kit comes with a clutch friction plate that fits the new tranny's input spline.

The NV4500 is a 5 speed that is fully synchronized-even reverse. 1st gear is a 5.61 ratio and 5th is a 27% overdrive.

Expect to pay at least $2500 for tranny with kit.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll keep that in mind.

 

I have that 3sp+OD tranny in my 79 w/ 302. I have only had the truck for a month so I haven't been into the clutch to know which size. I can tell you that w/ 3.73 rear gears and 31" tires I turn about 2K on tach @ 60mph. I shift down to 3rd for guts and it's at 2500. There is kind of a big gap between 2nd and 3rd. I just confirmed my speedo is accurate, so I haven't gotten an accurate read on what exactly my gas mileage is but my gut feeling is that it is a significant increase from the 302/C6 w/ 3.50 gears I had. For the 2-2500 price range, I'd be considering a GearVendors under/overdrive. This bolts behind your tranny and is like a 2 sp rear end, doubling your ratio's. The tranny you first mentioned is the cheapest solution. Does your tranny tunnel have a removeable panel? My 69 w/ 4sp does, and my 79 w/ OD does, but my 76 that originaly had 3 sp does not. If yours doesn't I'm fairly certain you are going to have to cut it out and find or make the panel to clear the tranny and provide hole for shifter. The OD shifter is way different than the Granny low 4sp's.

BBT

 

yea buddy, old fords rule!!! hey josh, relax! if the first person to respond to your post is you,just wait longer,i've posted stuff here that never got answered,but i still come to this site everyday. and consider yourself lucky, jowilker is usually not that polite when someone acts the way you did. you must have caught him on a good day. (trust me) i've been on this site faithfully for about six months now and if these folks can help they will.. the have helped me plenty of times, with advice, (thanks everybody) even hard to find parts, (thanks oleblue70) so show a little more tact and patience and we'll help you the best we can. as you have seen you are getting a lot of helpful advice already...

 

Get a Jeep *****'s transmission and then go to the local autozone. Buy one hundred packages of JB Weld and use this to hand shape any parts you will need to adapt that critter to your engine. Eat plenty of tomatos and only drink light colored fluids from only styrafoam cups and you shouldn't have any problems. Don't mind that I don;t know anything about what you were asking, I was just to ashamed to have read your post and not offered some advice.

 

If were you I'd see if a 5 speed from a 302 car or even a later model AOD out of a T-bird / Cougar from the 86 time frame

 

Josh, Back on the front page again! Having read all the posts to date on this thread, and having enjoyed all of them, I'll offer this recommendation. Overhaul your original transmission, and the linkage, replace the clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing. Rebuild the drive shaft (u-joints) and check it for true and balance. Determine your current rear gear ratio and install a third member that is taller (numerically lower) for mileage or shorter (numerically higher) more power. Third members are available in any junk yard, are reasonably priced and simple to install. These changes will familiarize you with the transmission replacement process and won't cost huge bucks. And you will have a chance to discuss your ideas with people in your area i.e. the drive shaft shop, the junk yard guys and the parts store technicians. I once put an overdrive transmission in a 51 Ford that had had an automatic. It would do 80MPH in second gear and would not pull itself in third. Course we didn't have computers and web sites back then so I learned from making mistakes. So will you. Have patience! Don't give up on us we all want to help and share the knowledge.
William in Atlanta

 

The June 2000 CarCraft has an article on OD Transmissions you should see. It identifies my tranny in my 79 F150 as a RUG made by Tremec. Related is an aluminum cased SROD that has an internal shifter instead of linkages, two types, one for cars and one for trucks w/ the shifters located differently. The article also profiles many others includeing Fords version of T5, Tremecs 3550. It also has diagrams with critical measurements and dimemsions, as well as listing the gear ratio's of each box. My 79 w/ 3.73 rear gears gets 14mpg around town in mixed driving. My old 302/C6 w/ 3.50 gears got 10-11. Beware that if you go with newer T5 type that you will have clutch linkage mods to work out. The mustangs use a cable clutch linkage and the 5 sp in modern trucks use a hydraulic clutch.

BBT

 

Thanks for the input. I'll have to check out that issue. As for the T-5 from a mustang, Is it strong enough? I know I will have to convert to a differant clutch linkage when changing trans.
My main concern is whether or not the trans will bolt to my engine or not. Thanks again for your help guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!1