Thread: Change over from a auto. to std.trans

Tweet

I have a 351-W that has the AOD in it now. I would like to change it over to a 4, 5, or, one of the new 6 speeds. Can anyone tell me just what I need to make everything match up?
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks

You need the 351W flywheel ( make sure to get the proper balance)

You need a trans and will probably fabricate a mount and driveshaft. Your clutch depends on which manny tranny you choose. Some are bar linkage, some are cable, and some are hydraulic.

Cable is the easiest for me, so thats what I use. My clutch is from a 1984 Mustang GT, I grabbed the pedal bracket, pedals, cable, and release fork when I got the tranny. $150 for all at the pick-a-part. BTW, I grabbed the driveshaft, crossmember, and shifter too.

Very easy conversion if you get ALL the parts the first time.

If you tell us what vehicle it is you want to convert it would be helpfull in getting you a specific answer.

Thanks for responding so quick. I really appreciate it.
The car is a 50's coupe ( Studebaker ) Im not sure if I buy the entire changeover from a Mustang ( 302 ) if everything would bolt up to the 351-W . Specifically, the fly wheel and pressure plate.
If not, what do I need to get?
Thanks..again

My experience is the first thing you need to do is figure out what your going to do for peddles and linkage first. What you use here will determine the proper bellhousing for the swap. Unless you good at fabricating and figuring out the linkage ratios your best bet may be an aftermarket setup that uses either a cable or hydraulic.

After you have determined that you can go shopping for a bellhousing, flywheel, clutch and pressure plate and tranny. Make sure you also get the drive shaft (for the input yolk) tranny mount, spacer plate (between the block and bellhousing), and starter. Preferably get everything from one car so you know there wont be any compatability problems. Also figure on using the clutch and presssure plate as cores and PUT NEW ONES IN along with a new pilot bearing and throw out bearing. Also make sure you note the make and year of the car you take the stuff from so you know what to ask for when you need parts at a latter date.

Flywheels. Ford 302s and 351s used a 28 oz imbalance until until around 1981 at which time the 302 changed to a heavier 50 oz. You will need the lighter 28 oz for your engine. If your using a post 1980 setup you will need either an earlier flywheel of the same dimensions or to have the flywheel you pick up rebalanced to your 351 (check around for a machine shop that does balancing, it's probably the cheaper way to go).

A few trannys to shy away from are RAD 4 spds used in the 75-78 Mustang IIs, and the early non-world class 5 speeds as both had a tendency to go BOOM. Ford also had a tendency to use lighter duty versions of their transmission behind 4 and 6 cyl cars so make sure the tranny you get actually did come from a V8 car if your buying the parts seperatly.

You might also check out these sites:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...6/5speed/.html
www.4speeds.com/toploader.html