I have 55 customline with a rebuilt 292 and a three speed behind it, the ****** is on it's last legs and I have no desire to keep it, I'd really like to go automatic and preferably something with overdrive. Who's done one of these conversions? What hurdles are there? (Driveshaft? Mounts? Starter?) Any tips would be appreciated!
I went with a Wilcap adapter to any Chev Automatic for the Y-block in my dads pickup. I think Wilcap has an adapters for AOD or C4 or C6. The reason I chose the Y-block to Chev Adapter is that it'll run th350/th400/200r4/700r4.
The C4 conversion is relatively easy.... http://www.ford-y-block.com/c4adapt.htm Plenty stout enough for anything but an all-out motor. The AOD is a bit tougher swap, as the trans is bulkier and you may need to do some hacking on the frame k-member for clearance. Why not use a OEM three speed with overdrive? If you don't beat the snot out of 'em, it's a reliable box and will deliver great gas mileage. And it's a bolt-in. There's also T5 adaptors, not much more work.
I've considered it but I haven't had much luck tracking one down. I am keeping my eyes peeled though.
and as far as I can tell the early 3 speeds with the "wide" bell housing used an electric overdrive controlled by a manual cable attached to a handle under the dash, as well as an electrical solenoid, governor, "kickdown relay" and ***ociated wiring. Sounds like a nightmare tracking down those parts...
Yeah, the OD trans are getting a bit harder to find, but Ford installed a lot of them in the 50s/60s. The trans needs to be complete with the solenoid and governor, the only other hard to find part may be the kickdown switch that goes under the gas pedal. All the rest is easily available and the wiring isn't that complicated. Probably the cheapest/easiest swap would be a T5; 4-speed with OD 5th, great fun factor.
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