Ford Transmission Question

[DanStokes]

My buddy Larry's wife is selling off his car parts (sadly he's in a home now) and they have a C6 from a full-sized Ford-Mercury-Lincoln. Larry can't remember if it's from a BBF or a SBF car. Any ideas on a quick way to tell them apart would be welcomed. IIRC, the SBF and BBF are different in the rear of the block and the transmissions won't interchange but maybe I'm wrong on that?

Dan

[pintoboy77]

You are correct Dan the big block Ford has a bigger bolt pattern. I can't remember the exact size right off hand.

[silver_bullet]

Here you go Dan... hope it is what you are looking for...
.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Here you go Dan... hope it is what you are looking for...
.

Yet that isn't completely accurate.

When I was in high school, my best friend built a SBF for his 4 door 60s Mercury Comet. He spent the entire year at school doing bodywork and getting the car ready for paint.... pushing it in and out of the Industrial arts shop. All while building a motor under the porch of his parent's trailer home.... he didn't get the car to paint because he didn't have the money but the body was done - so he went to put the motor in his first car. Turns out the block he used had a bolt pattern that was 6 months only. His car was a 4 speed. It never did run... all that effort, all that money (that he flat didn't have) into a car that no one wanted and a motor that no one could use. Be careful, Dan, in the Ford world there be dragons - and dragons aren't nice.

[DanStokes]

Thanks! I'll take a look at the pics and see if I can sort it out.

Dan

[BBR]

Yet that isn't completely accurate.

When I was in high school, my best friend built a SBF for his 4 door 60s Mercury Comet. He spent the entire year at school doing bodywork and getting the car ready for paint.... pushing it in and out of the Industrial arts shop. All while building a motor under the porch of his parent's trailer home.... he didn't get the car to paint because he didn't have the money but the body was done - so he went to put the motor in his first car. Turns out the block he used had a bolt pattern that was 6 months only. His car was a 4 speed. It never did run... all that effort, all that money (that he flat didn't have) into a car that no one wanted and a motor that no one could use. Be careful, Dan, in the Ford world there be dragons - and dragons aren't nice.

5 bolt bell housing 62-64 260/289 blocks. They are not very common these days.

[DanStokes]

5 bolt bell housing 62-64 260/289 blocks. They are not very common these days.

Were those used on the 221 also? Those would be "E" class engines in LSR so I have a vague interest.

I've requested a front pic so I can identify the trans but so far it looks like it's going to fit an FE. Also - he has a complete but disassembled 300CID inline six if anyone has the urge - $200.

Dan

[BBR]

Were those used on the 221 also? Those would be "E" class engines in LSR so I have a vague interest.

I've requested a front pic so I can identify the trans but so far it looks like it's going to fit an FE. Also - he has a complete but disassembled 300CID inline six if anyone has the urge - $200.

Dan

Yes. 221 as well. Trans adapters are available nowadays.

[fatguyzinc]

to further compound the issue, *some* ford transmissions
(a C4 in a 65 stang for sure ) have a removable bellhousing
just like a 4spd. we didnt find this out till we swapped the
stock 6 for a 302 and it wouldnt fit.... we ended up ordering
one in from a mainland junkyard and swapped the bell, after
that it was all good.

PART of the reason im a mostly GM kinda guy is the great
GM interchangeability. for instance--i think (could be wrong....)
that aside from a few weird ones like a 2.2 4cyl and a 2.8 V6,
every chevy trans from 55-87 at least will fit every motor - small
or big block, 6 or 8 cylinders. as long as you got the correct
flexplate/flywheel/converter/clutch etc its a direct bolt up.

and you can use a $99 adaptor plate to fit the B.O.P./C. trans
to the chevy blocks and vice-versa as well....and aside from the 400
small block (needs dedicated steam holes but can be drilled in any
other 55-87 smallblock head) all the heads fit all the blocks, all
the cranks (again, except for 400 unless you use adaptor bearings)
fit as long as its big/small journal, rods are all interchangeable,
pushrods, heck even a smallblock distributor will drop into a 454
although you may need to adjust the curve.

there are a few differences of course--short/long waterpump,
different pulleys/brackets, etc.. but MOST of the GM stuff is
interchangeable.

nothing wrong with a ford, you can make em FLY--my younger
brother had a 69 lincoln 460/C6 in an 88 stang 5.0 foxbody
that was straight up asinine-- but yes, there are a LOT of
differences in the ford camp. definately do your homework
before you drop a ton of cash on any parts !

[DanStokes]

Got the pics. It's for the 429/460 family of engines. They'd like to get $200 for it. If anyone is interested I can hook you up with contact info and they can tell you about condition, etc. Pretty sure it worked properly when removed.

Thanks all!

Dan

[Deaf Bob]

Zinc, while I am mainly a GM guy..
The removeable bell houseing "c-4" is actually a "FMX"
As I understood it, C4 is like C6 but smaller. Kinda like 350-400
I'm sure the Fordophiles will correct me if I'm wrong..

[cstmwgn]

Zinc, while I am mainly a GM guy..
The removeable bell houseing "c-4" is actually a "FMX"
As I understood it, C4 is like C6 but smaller. Kinda like 350-400
I'm sure the Fordophiles will correct me if I'm wrong..

It is my understanding that the removable bell housing is in fact a C-4 (aluminum case) where as the FMX is a cast iron case and predates the C-4s.

[pintoboy77]

That is correct Allen my C4 has a removeable bell housing but the C6 does not.

[Deaf Bob]

It is my understanding that the removable bell housing is in fact a C-4 (aluminum case) where as the FMX is a cast iron case and predates the C-4s.

Thanks.. Was not positive of the differences.
Glad it is clarified..
My 69 Cougar was a FMX.. Cast iron case. Makes sense.