I have a 1974 302 and I was wondering if the original 1952 transmission (with a flathead V-8) would work behind the 302? Any help is appreciated. I do have an automatic with the 302 but I would prefer the three on the tree. Keith

 

"back in the day" they'd put them behind nailhead Buicks, Caddys, etc. Your 302, if it's stock, won't hurt the stock trans if you aren't laying rubber all the time. And Ford used virtually the same trans behind 302's in the '50's.

 

Well, you will run into problems, but with enough time and money I guess you can do anything.

Here's the problem you are going to have. Your bell housing arrangement in the 52 light duty three speed is two parts. The back half - the clutch cover, is cast into the trnasmission, thus negating the use of a one piece bell housing. You are therefore going to have to find a fly wheel cover (the front half of the bell housing) that will bolt up to the 302. Find one of those and you are all set.

Another thing that is going to throw a fly into the ointment is the clutch pedal arrangement and how the clutch is actuated in the 52. It is done with a rotating shaft rather than a throw out fork. Your pedal arrangement will only work with the clutch cover on the 52 transmission (either th eone cast on teh light duty or the separate one for the heavy duty) as well.

So, unless you want to change out your pedal assemble to one that will support a throw out fork, you are stuck with the 53 or earlier 3 speed light duty.

One way around this may be to switch to a 3 speed heavy duty which did not have the attached clutch cover but rather had one that bolted up to the tranny. You would have to find a bell housing that bolted up to both the tranny and engine, and then you would have to change out your pedals assembly.

Or, you could use a later 3 speed light duty transmissionand bell housing that would bolt up to the 302, and change out the pedals.

And, I've not seen anyone who posted anything about how to change out the pedals here. Probably would have to go with a hydraulic actuator type.

 

Not all 52 Truck trannys had the attached partial bell housing as presented above - http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...truck-3spd.jpg

These trannies will boltup to the early 302 bellhousings (Note) you may need to adjust the pilot bearing shaft length.

 

Somehow they managed in the '50's, thee are plenty of folks providing adapters. I believe the easiest route is to use the entire original BH w/clutch and an adapter plate to the back of the 302. Check Speedway, TransDapt, Sac Vintage Ford, etc.

 

Am I missing something Ross? If I am please fill me in.

But I was under the impression that the Ford 302 engine wasn't even introduced until 1968?

I'm sure with such a popular engine, you would think they would make a bell housing that would mate up with the original 3 speed. That 3 speed bolt pattern was used for quite awhile. I had a 1950 OD three speed behind my 65 289 (virtually the same as the 302 externally) and it worked fine - on a 55 truck.

Maybe I got off topic but.......the point I was trying to make to the OP was that his clutch pedal arrangement on the 51/52 truck is of a different type than later, and when shopping for an adapter or bell housing to be aware of that. The adapter or bell housing will have to support a rotating shaft type actuator instead of a push fork actuator.

 

Thanks for all of the valuable information.

 

Can anyone help me here. I have a 1952 F-1 with a 6 Cyl OHV engine with a 3 speed tranny on the floor, Do they make a transmission (C-4) adaptor that will fit this engine and will the same adaptor using the same transmission bolt up to a V-8 Flathead engine

 

Sorry to Hi-Jack this... but I'm looking for an old 3 speed tranny for my 53 if anyone has replaced theirs with something else.

 

I happen to have one of those. I don't know what shape it's in, but PM me and I'll give you the details.

Dan

 

I am pretty sure the 215 6-cyl has a different bolt pattern than a flat V8, but it appears to be the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 223 used well into the '60's. Hopefully someone with the 215 or 223 will chime in on how this can be done.

 

Using a trans that was originally mated to a flatty would likely turn a fun truck into a nightmare. It would be much better to use an all syncro 3 speed from a later model van or pick-up. The alloy steel used in the newer transmission is much better than that used in the '50s and also the precision machining.
A very good transmission from the '50s would be a B-W 3 speed w/overdrive. The case is nearly the same as the B-W 4 speed trannies used by G.M. and Ford. I raced a '54 Ford with a 239 cid engine and the OEM trans was the weakest link in the car.

 

Nothing except the stock transmissions or a C4 fits without major surgery to the crossmember. The 3-sp w/OD absolutely doesn't fit, as the governor lands right on the crossmember and hits the brake linkage. The 3-sp with OD is the same trans Ford used as stock from '39-on with the BW OD tacked on.

From the flat V8's I've seen posted here with a Flat-O-Matic C4 conversion, the C4's tailshaft will clear the crossmember, but needs a new mount added just behind the crossmember. Here's a thread on the install with a link to pictures: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11492173

 

The B/W T85 trandmission was available in the '56 to '60 T-birds and also with overdrive in Fords heavy cars like the stationwagons and Mercury cars. The lighter Ford cars came with the lighter duty Ford transmission that proved to be inferior in almost every way for a vehicle with an engine making over 200 horses.
The T85 is heavier in weight and the shape of the O.D. unit may require some modification to the crossmember, but the standard 3 speed should not. I would opt for the all syncro Ford top loader 3 speed if it were my conversion.
Go here for more info; Flathead Parts Drawings-Transmissions

 

Borg Warner T-85 O/D: 1942/48 Lincoln Zephyr/Continental V12 / 1949/51 Lincoln/Cosmopolitan 337 flathead / 1955/60 Thunderbird / 1961/64 Galaxie 352/390 / 1961/64 Mercury 390 / 1965/67 Galaxie/LTD 352 / 1965/67 F100 240/300/352 / 1968/71 F100 240/300/360/390 / 1969/71 F100 302.

And a plethora of other makes dating back to the late 1930's. Coupla examples: 1937/42 Studebaker Presidents came with T-85's, as did Packards from 1939 thru 1956. Hudson/Nash used Packard V8's and T-85's in 1955/56.

You won't find any 1939/48 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars with O/D, as only the Columbia 2 speed rear axle was available. 1949 was the first year for O/D, the trans is the Borg Warner T-86 O/D. Installed in 1953/64 F100's, Passenger Cars that did not come with T-85's.

Ford type 3.03 3 speed manual all syncromesh transmission introduced in 1963. Will be found in myriad passenger cars thru 1980, 1963/79 F250, 1963/83 F100, 1965/67 E100 240, 1966/77 Bronco, 1969/74 E100/300, 1975/86 E & F150.