F150 4-speed OD transmission

[sidhartha]

Trying to learn how to edit. I think I've got it this time.

[sidhartha]

In another thread someone said they had an F-150 transmission in their A. I didn't want to derail that discussion on Mitchell overdrives.
I'm quite curious as to what it took to modify the car and drivetrain to use such a transmission.

[sidhartha]

Yeah, I got it.

[Duffy1]

Please do a search as this has been discussed in much detail . Two ways to do it . 1) Keep model A bell housing you will need to notch out about half of the cross member 2) Use AA truck bell housing will require modifying clutch and brake pedals no need to notch out cross member . On both you have to shorten drive shaft and tube . Shortened drive shaft and tube usually come with transmission conversion kit . Also there are three different OD ratios . You will want the lowest one (26% ?) . Ken Parker is one of the folks that makes these conversion kits . I have one in my 31 sw and like it because it is fully synchronized and robust . I probably omitted some of the details I am sure someone will chime in and fill in the blanks .

[bettlesr]

I got mine from Tim Sheridan in Nunca, MI. His number is 616-837-6477 and his prices were good. His setup uses the stock bell housing, and doesn't have to cut the crossmember. I just cut off the upper and lower ears on the cover of the bell on the front of the drive shaft. The only other thing required was to put two washers under the brake cross shaft to lower it slightly. I went with the trans with the 3.01 first gear and middle overdrive ratio. With a bored and reworked engine, it can still pull up hills in OD. Gets a lot quiter when I put it into OD.

[CarlG]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

PM Sent

[steve s]

You also need an adapter to connect the trans to the bell housing, and the input shaft needs to be modified.

[AL in NY]

If you use the standard Model A bell housing, the F150 input shaft needs to be lengthened. If you use the "AA" bell housing, the input shaft needs to be shortened 5/8 inch. No adapter needs to be made to mount the F150 to either bell housing. What needs to be done is to modify the input shaft bearing cover to achieve a tight sliding fit into the Model A/AA bell housing. This will center the F150 transmission to the Model A flywheel pilot bearing. Then just drill and tap bolt holes in the front of the F150 transmission case that align with the 4 holes in the Model A/AA bell housing.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by steve s

You also need an adapter to connect the trans to the bell housing, and the input shaft needs to be modified.

That's all done for you when you get one of the kits that are available.

[wensum]

A bell housing made by MACS Speed shop here in New Zealand is available in the States
This comes with a shaft to mount the clutch forks and the pedals in the normal location
However it needs a later V8 thrust bearing carrier and a special clutch as the splines start further back
I believe that a four cylinder turbo Mustang clutch is the perfect fit.
This also leads to an open prop shaft with the attendant issues, but I have seen the original ball joint and radius arms modified to fit.
The bell housing has mounts for the front radius arms ball joint
Keith

[Pinstripe]

Why is this better than the A transmission with an overdrive unit?

[CarlG]

1) You get synchromesh which the A tranny doesn't have
2) It looks like it belongs (no extra shift lever)

[ctlikon0712]

Here are some pics that were posted in different blogs that I saved on the mod.

[nick c]

The AA bell housing does not have the clutch & brake shaft on it. I only shortened the input shaft 1/4" because I used a 1/2" steel plate for the adapter and I attached the 7/8" clutch shaft to the plate.
carry on nick c