Tranny bolt pattern
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Prairieville, Louisiana
Tranny bolt pattern
I'm not very familiar with the 4.6. I normally frequent the small block forum. I was wondering if a 4.6 would bolt up to an older model tranny, or does the 4.6 have its own special pattern?
Thanks in advance,
David
Thanks in advance,
David
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Modular engines, except for the first year or so, have their own pattern. A Ford tradition, having a different bell pattern for almost every engine series, making engine swaps drive people crazy.
You can get a bell for a mod engine to bolt up an older trans. Not cheap.
What trans are you thinking of? And what year mod engine?
You can get a bell for a mod engine to bolt up an older trans. Not cheap.
What trans are you thinking of? And what year mod engine?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Prairieville, Louisiana
Well its a 71 f150 that Im planning on building and i was planning on dropping in a 4.6 in it. I thought it would be cool. Dont have a motor yet. The truck has a 302 with a 3 speed on the tree. Tranny is in really good shape and thought it would be cool to keep the 3 on the tree if possible. Try an keep the truck somewhat original but just add a little pep to it.
Just wanted to have something a little different.
Just wanted to have something a little different.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Do yourself a favor and rebuild the 302. You want to spend $500 on a bell to hook up a 3 speed to a mod engine? And what mod you gonna use, a 300 horse Mustang job or some early model wheezer that's worn out?
You are heading into a LOT of work for no gain. The 302 can be warmed up for a fraction of the cost of the bell alone, minus any rebuild issues.
Call me silly.
You are heading into a LOT of work for no gain. The 302 can be warmed up for a fraction of the cost of the bell alone, minus any rebuild issues.
Call me silly.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Prairieville, Louisiana
No I don't think your silly. I just want something different. Something that would make people say wooo when they open the hood. I'm still interested in the idea, just thought about the idea today.
But I do disagree with the alot of work for no gain. I think it would be awesome to have a modular motor in a 71 truck. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
But I do disagree with the alot of work for no gain. I think it would be awesome to have a modular motor in a 71 truck. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Yea, a newer 3 valve or DOHC, neither of which should be saddled with a 3 speed, not that the 302 deserves that fate either.
You can make a killer 302 or even a 331 for the cost of the conversion--keep in mind your mod motor is going to need electronics or a carb conversion.
You can make a killer 302 or even a 331 for the cost of the conversion--keep in mind your mod motor is going to need electronics or a carb conversion.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I'm pretty sure the bolt pattern of the bells are the same on the 302, 4.6 and the 5.4 engines. To be certain you should go to your friendly auto recycler and take the block plate (that goes between the engine and trans) from one engine to another and match the bolt holes up. That could help you in your decision making.
I also suggest that you buy a donor vegicle that runs good to start with as you will need lots of stuff from it as you go along. That way you will have all the needed electrics and more. I suggest a used Mark VIII as they have nearly 300 hp to start with and have great reliability also. Then you could use the trans and clutch set-up from a van or truck or Mustang. It sounds like a good project to me but I would go with an auto trans, it's easier. Good luck with it and keep us informed.
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Only very early mod engines have the SBF pattern. F1AE and F2VE. (1991 and 1992, the low power years)
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I'm not certain about the 302 pattern but I matched the block plates from a '93 4.6 DOHC to that of a '01 5.4 DOHC and the patterns are the same. The pattern on the '95 3.8 pushrod motor is also the same.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I currently have a 4R70W from a 3.8 L. 95 Cougar behind my 94 Mark VIII 4.6 DOHC engine and when I was replacing the engine I compared the block plates from a 93 4.6 L. DOHC to that of the 5.4 DOHC and they were exactly the same. I only found out about the trans in my 94 because my son took the numbers from the data plate and went to the P71 site to get the info and thats what it came back as. I don't baby it but I'm not real hard on it and it has lasted over 3 years so far.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
I currently have a 4R70W from a 3.8 L. 95 Cougar behind my 94 Mark VIII 4.6 DOHC engine and when I was replacing the engine I compared the block plates from a 93 4.6 L. DOHC to that of the 5.4 DOHC and they were exactly the same. I only found out about the trans in my 94 because my son took the numbers from the data plate and went to the P71 site to get the info and thats what it came back as. I don't baby it but I'm not real hard on it and it has lasted over 3 years so far.
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
One of us is mistaken. The next time I get under the Mark I'll take a pic of the riveted on ID plate and post it. But like I said earlier, he should go to a bone yard and take a block plate to several engines and find out for himself.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
knucklecars
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Apr 14, 2021 04:40 AM
wa-sleeper
Lightning, Harley-Davidson F-150, Roush F-150 & Saleen F-150
9
Jul 3, 2020 08:46 AM
rougeriver
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
May 19, 2018 09:07 PM
