I have a '51 Ford Victoria. I also have a 351W with C6 and a 289 with a C4. Which install will be the easiest? I don't need horsepower or speed. Just something reliable. I thought the C6 was an overdrive transmission. I was wrong. Is there an overdrive transmission that will bolt on to either motor? I do have motor mounts for these motors. Thank you for any information.
The C 6 is a lot bigger physically but you already know that. Still rather than trans fitment issues outside of tunnel clearance the main issue with a Ford Windsor in a shoebox is going to be crossmember and tie rod clearance. You have to figure out how you are going to fit that front sump pan right there where the tie rod now happily lives. That is a tight fit swap with rear sump engines and near impossible with a front sump. Meaning figure out how you are going to get either engine to fit at all without cutting the whole thing up then worry about the littie thing of what trans fits best.
You’re going to need a late model Mustang or pickup rear sump oil pan and it’s pickup tube. Even that might be tight. As to an overdrive transmission, the AOD is a good choice, but you have to make sure the TV ( throttle valve) cable is adjusted correct. They are a big transmission though, the C4 is physically smaller and might fit better without having to cut and remake the tunnel. Your also going to need a rear end, the rears in those years are notoriously weak. IIRC, a 70-77 Maverick 8” fits like it was made for the car. Hotrodprimer had one with a 351w in it, he can fill you in on the details. If it was me, I’d go with the narrower 289. It will provide plenty of power.
The Maverick rear is 56 1/2" WMS to WMS. Fits great in my '54 Ranch Wagon and I'm guessing the same applies to your Shoebox. Also, can't offer any specifics on a trans but an AOD fits fine in my wagon.
Either engine will need a rear sump pan and pickup, and it is still a tight fit to clear drag link. If using the 289, the dipstick is in the front timing cover. 289/302 rear sump pan comes either way, but you will need one with the dipstick in the pan. 351 pans already have that. C6 and AOD will probably require some tunnel work, C4 will fit fine. Radiator may have to move forward slightly. Another option is to use a front sump pan and notch the cross member. I have seen that done.
Part 2- because the Windsor engine has the "lead" bank on the passenger side, the engine has to shift forward for the left cylinder head to clear the accelerator linkage. Ford made several configurations in exhaust manifolds, so finding what works is fairly easy. The existing Hotchkiss style rear axle is not a particularly strong unit, and very limited in the gear ratios they came in. New gears are not made. It would probably hold up with either engine with an automatic. As mentioned, the Maverick rear is a bolt in once you move the spring perches 3/4" on each side. Even the e-brake cables work. The earlier rears were 5 lug in v8 cars only with the small register, but all went to 5 lug in 74 with the larger register. Most were 3.00 ratio, so the C4 would be fine for cruising.
In the early 70s the 351-2V used the FMX & the 4V used the SB C-6. By the late 70s HP was down & they used the C-4 on the 351s.
....although nowadays C4s are commonly rebuilt to handle large amounts of power, for what it's worth.
i have a friend that has a '50 with a 302 in it. i'll see him on tuesday and i will ask him how he dd it.
My 50 has a 302 and a C4 in it. More than enough power to move the car. BUT- I still have the stock rear end. 4:10 gears, so I’m in 2nd before I get past the crosswalk. Might as well be a 2 speed. If you can figure out a way to get an overdrive, do it. Or swap the rear. Maverick 5 lug rears will fit great, and were probably easy to find years ago. Not so much anymore. Trans tunnel got bigger in 51 to fit the new Fordomatic, so a C4 will fit. Mine had to be raised. Oil pan in mine started life in a Bronco.
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