hi i got a 1960 ford f100 223 inline 6 with a 3 on tree tranny and i was wondering if that tranny would bolt up to a 70's 302 or what v8 would match up to it better if any

 

I don't think they will bolt up, but rule of thumb you don't want to put a 6 cyl tranny behink a v8 eng. a 302 would be a good swap provided you get proper tranny and lots are available. next problem would be rearend, but yours may hold up.

 

well i believe i have a 9in behind it

 

i figured it wouldn't work but figured id ask to make sure

 

i wanted to try to keep it 3 on tree but guess i would have to go 4 on floor

 

you could swap in a 300 straight six. i dont think it will solve the tranny problem but motor mounts might be easier.

 

i would just get the engine swap mount kits from lmc truck 109.00 dollars they just bolt on

 

Why not look for a y-block which came in these trucks? Then you would have a bolt in install once you found the right pieces.

 

You can keep it 3 on the tree if you want to. We don't know which model of transmission you have, what bolt pattern it has, so we can't advise on fitment and swap questions. But you could always find a 3 speed and bellhousing/clutch from a 60's model Ford product that would work with the 302, and swap the whole thing in together. If you get past the clutch linkage, working out any issues with the column shifter linkage should be a piece of cake.

BTW, your 9" rear end will stand up to anything the 302 could ever put to it.

 

 

If it's a three on the tree, it's the light duty 3-sp. With minor changes those were used behind 289's and probably 302's in the '70's, in cars. The old Ford 3-sp's used in the '40's are even weaker and were used behind Buick nailheads, even early hemi's. Unless you drop the hammer hard and often, I wouldn't worry about a mild 302 hurting anything.

I'm not familiar with '60's, do they have mounts on the bellhousing like 53-56, or a mount on the tailhousing? If they are on the bellhousing, I think you'll struggle to find a BH that matches a SBF and has the mounts. Is it a hydraulic clutch?

Why ditch the 223? I'd be surprised if the LMC (or anyone's) mounts really "just bolt in" without any drama. These pages are full of questions on "Why doesn't this fit?"

 

yea i suppose just wanted to put a little more power behind it and they do have mounts on the bellhousing also hydraulic clutch. i know they also made one sb for that year but dont remember what it was. if i really wanted power i could drop a 390 or 460 in it because i have both of them but i think it would be too much for that half ton twist the frame or cause alot of other problems

 

I suspect you'd need a special adapter plate or modified bellhousing to make that work (original 3 speed to 302). Better to find a 3 speed that mates with the SBF, and preferably buy it as a set. Mating engine/bellhousing/flywheel/clutch/transmission from different sources can introduce errors.

If you go stick shift with a SBF, there's a 3 speed + overdrive from around 1980 that may not be the toughest transmission, but should be thriftier and let you drive the freeway at lower revs. I think it's known as the SROD. The 4 speeds are very tough, but they're basically 3 speeds plus granny low (for steep hills/heavy loads). Possibly the best transmission is a ZF 6 speed with overdrive, but versions that fit a small-block could be rare. For a street driven truck that doesn't do real hauling, a T5 could work, and those are common. And, finally, there's probably a heavier duty transmission used on real trucks that can bolt up to a 302. Maybe even with overdrive.