351 swap, not an engine question
 

My 292 is really tired, it seems to be more expensive to rebuild it then grab a 351 to put in it. Ive searched on here and google, but i cant find quite what i want to know. I dont want an automatic, its out of the question. It seems most the people swapping this motor in go with an automatic. What manual transmission can i use? My truck is a 1959 f250. its 2wd, are the 4wd trannys different? I read something about a toploader 4-speed not being ideal for a truck due to the first gear ratio? one post had a comment along the lines of "unless you have a 3.98+ rear end and dont do freeways, its not ideal for a truck". I have a 4.56 rear and would like to freeway cruise so? thanks guys.

oh, and the reason i ask about the 4wd difference is because i can get a ford BB 460 motor for cheap but it comes with a manual 4wd tranny. i have a 2wd truck so i dont know if i could even get a 2wd manual tranny for the 460? im more concerend with tranny options then the engine. thanks.

You want a 4x2 trans. The tail on a 4x4 trans is meant, in most cases, to bolt to a transfer case. That isn't going to work for 4x2.

The 351w can accept just about any Ford issued manual trans. You will find it mated to the ZF 5 speed in later model PU trucks.

The car performance 4 speeds have a 2.78 first gear, or 2.32 if you get a close ratio. 4th is 1:1.

The ZF has a 5-something first, and an OD 5th, imo better for trucks like yours.

The ZF uses an integral bell and an internal hydraulic throwout bearing. Your truck already has a hydraulic clutch, right?

Some fiddling will have to be done to marry the '59 master to the later model throwout, but a little trial and error never hurt anything but the pocket book.....

If you go with the 4 speeds, you will have to find a later SBF/butterfly pattern bell that will accept the hydraulic slave for the throwout. 1983-4 and up F series would be the target, with the 300/302-351w.

Domestic Truck Tranny Guide

Awesome!!! exactly what i wanted to know! i like the sound of the zF 5 speed from later trucks. what years had them? what models? and yes! i have a hydraulic clutch, all i would need would be new hose i would think. i can get windsor mounts from my catologue but im guessing ill need to fab up a tranny mount correct?

Im guessing the 351 probably wouldnt bolt up to the tranny on my 292 right?

Nope.. different engine family so different belhousing bolt pattern. With the axle gearing you have you really need a trans with overdrive so you should look for a late model T5(Mustang), M5OD(F150), or ZF-42(F250/F350) from a vehicle with a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 or 4.9 I6. All these 5-speed transissions have an 0.8:1 OD ratio and the ZF also has a deeper first gear ratio.. but that's not going to be necessary with the gearing you have.. you'll be skipping 1st a lot anyway.

My pick wouldd also be the ZF. I have one mated to a 300 and love it. Also the lighter duty Mazda 5 speed from the F-150 and light duty F-250 would bolt up too. It isn't a bad transmission except it has an insanely high reverse ratio. Backing a trailer up even a slight slope requires slipping the clutch. There were a few other 3+1 overdrives Ford used in lighter duty pickups and vans too. I have a couple examples. One is basically a cast iron toploader 4 speed that they did a little monkeying with and came up with overdrive. Another one is an aluminum top shift style but I can't remember the model of it. They were used late 70s to mid 80s IIRC.