Its time to fit drive shaft for 53 ford coupe, have sbf w/c4 installed and now need to fit to rear end, as of now the stock rear is in place, and I have the old drive shaft that is about 2" short, is it better to lengthen or shorten drive shaft? or what ford model should I start with? Also radiator, any known later model rad that has close measurements to fit in stock core support?
I read that an 87 lincoln towncar drivehsaft fits if its a 302/aod. I dont know how a c4 compares to an aod in length. I would really like to know how you mounted a 302 into your 53, I have a 52 victoria and plan on doing the same swap but I get many different explanations on how to do it. What was involved?
Not a bad fit, bought mount kit from Opie's Hot Rod, new trans pad from 60's mustang w/c4, very common trans pad, rear sump pan from early model ford van/ bronco, had to roll rear of pan somewhat to clear sterring link, adjust firewall (bang bang) to fit offset sbf heads, had drive train in and out no less than 10 times. set up very nice!
I have a '54 with a 302 and AOD I used a driveshaft from a '86 Crown Vic ,the front yoke for AOD and C4 are splined the same, you will need to change the rear u-joint to a NEAPCO 2-0291 and it will bolt up to your rear end,the new joint comes with new bolts and the special retainers also.Just to be sure measure before you buy! Oh,just in case, it costs about 3 to 4 times more to lengthen a shaft than shorten it.
About the radiator,go to Pic-a Part with tape measure measure height and width and position of top and bottom hoses and lay out of mounts from old radiator and find closest donor,take a small L.E.D. flashlight so you can look inside to make sure it's a clean one.I saw a pic on Google where a 70's Ford F-150 Radiator was almost a bolt-in,I have a Jeep Grand cherokee rad.it my '54 because I have the drivers side water pump.Paid $35 on half off day!
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