Thread: Ford C-4 Transmission in a 34 Ford Roadster

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A friend of mine is trying to change out his 34 Ford Roadster from a 3 speed manual to a Ford C-4 automatic. He has a Ford small block 302 installed in the car. However, his transmission shop told him that the C-4 transmission could not fit in the car due to clearance issues. Has anyone been successful with this engine/transmission combination in a 34 Ford and would you have any suggestions that would help us.

Appreciate your help.

In case you don't get a specific answer about a C4 in a '34, let me tell you what I do know. I have a '27 roadster that I built originally with a 3 speed stick, like your friend. I considered swapping to a C4 at one point, just because I thought it would free up some cockpit space. To do it though I would have had to modify my tunnel to make it higher and wider.

For comparison sake, here is the 3 speed transmission in the A frame, and also a picture of a C4 in a T bucket frame. This will show you where the C4 is a little bulkier. However, the California Kid, also a '34 coupe ran a 302 with a C4 behind it, so it can be done.

Don

I had a big block 59 Ford engine with it's stock automatic transmission in my 34 Ford (back in the 70s) and the only clearance problem I had was the stock exhaust which almost kept me from running a hood. I have no clue what the tranny was but it was no problem.

Interesting - my original reply didn't show up???!!!

This is a '31 Ford 'A' - TCI repro chassis/Brookville body/Ford 5.0 motor/Lokar shifter and e-brake.....



...and with the body on...

I don't know how much difference there is between a 34 ford and a 35, but I have a 35 with ford 302 with a c4 tranny. The engine mounts and much of the needed hardware came from Chassis Engineering located in Iowa.
www.chassisengineeringinc.com. Hope this helps

Teddy