Hi all, I have a transmission problem and wanted some opinions. I sourced a 79 302 out of a 73 ranchero for the pan, timing cover, and heads to grind on before i try on my d0 heads, and thought that the transmission was a c-4, so i took it too. it's not, it is a 80 (e0) FMX! from what i read last night, that transmission is not going to fit easily into my maverick, and finding parts for it will be hard and expensive. my goal is to have a mobile car when i get my 86 HO installed, i eventually want to put in a t-5, but i don't have the money for that for a while. i want a cheap (~200) option that will get the car moving with the 302 installed. do I: 1) source a v-8 c-4 and hope it works and/or rebuild it 2) source a 302 bellhousing and clutch from u-pull-it and use the 3 speed i have (currently behind a 170, what parts can i use from it? also, what 6 cylinders have the same bolt patern?) 3) force the fmx in there 4) sell everying and buy a prius Thanks for your inputs
Curtis, for $200 it is going to be hard to end up with really good transmission option but the cheapest thing to do is probably going to be the 3 speed option. If your car already has the pedals then you will need a belhousing that fits the tranny you already have, a clutch and flywheel that fits the engine, clutch linkage to fit the V8. If you get all the parts from a "pull-a-part" yard and use your transmission and drive line you will probably spend less now and in the future with your swap to a T5. Swapping in an automatic now just to switch back later is not as cost effective. Buying a Prius is going to be the most expensive option and won't get you what you are wanting in the long run.
Thanks for your comments Paul, i have more questions (of course) is it correct that the 250 and 300 have the same bolt pattern? the pedals are in the car, is the only thing i need for the v-8 linkage is the zbar and pivot ball? is there any savings/utility in installing a hydrolic clutch (i saw a 80 van with one)? i plan on long tube headers. should i re-use the pressure plate (junk yard or stock 170?) or buy a new one?
Curtis, The 250 and 302 have the same bellhousing (the 300 too but it is another 6 cyl.) You will need the V8 frame to mount adapters and the mounts, "Belly Bar", "Z" bar and pivot. A hydraulic clutch makes dealing with headers easier and then you won't need the "Z" bar or pivot but you will need to install a master cylinder (even with the Hydraulic throw-out bearing style) if you use a slave cylinder then you will have to mount that and it won't save any space over the "Z" bar linkage. The 302 will need a different flywheel, pressure plate and clutch - be sure to match the counter balance of your engine. Used flywheel is ok - have it resurfaced but I would buy a new clutch and pressure plate.
what is a good, common donor for the bell housing? the following are at the local upullit: 70-72 van with toploader, 77-84 with toploaders, some late 70's to early 80s f-150's. read somewhere that they were 1/2 inch deaper than the car versions. is that true? thanks for your help.
Any late '60s car with either a three speed or four speed is the bell you want. The truck and van bells are larger and require the use of a 164 tooth flywheel. The same starter is used for all manual transmissions so that will be the same. I don't know if they are deeper or not but if so then you may need to shorten your driveline.
