I just bought a 1965 Ford F100 stepside / short bed that has a great body but is a project to get it running. It included a 1981 straight six engine, Clifford intake and headers, edelbrock carb, and no transmission. Truck is originally a 3 speed on the column. I'm looking for suggestions on what transmission to buy. I want to stay with a standard trans and can be an original 3 speed or even up grade to a T5. Just not sure what is best for what I hope will be a truck I can use for transportation to work and out on the jobsite itself ( I work on large earth moving type projects). I'm totally ignorant of Ford drivelines, inline sixes, and what to do here. All my cars have chevy drivelines. I definitely want to keep the straight six. I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, dirtcop
Look for a ****** from an early 80's thru mid 90's ford truck it will get you what you are looking for but keeping the three on the tree may be tough because most of the newer ******s are top loader style. Good luck. By the way the 300 ci inline 6 is a great motor
Is the 81 straight six installed in the truck, or will you have to fab it up. If it's not already installed, it is totally doable, but not a simple bolt in. It will take some fabrication and welding skills. Once the engine is in, it shouldn't be a problem to get a T-5 in there behind it. With it being a 65, a power steering box from any 70's Ford pickup should bolt right in, and if I remember correctly, the spindles and brake booster for power disc brakes as well. Check out the ford-trucks site (just google Ford FTE) for more info. Good luck.
Aren't all 240-300 sixes the same as far as motor mount placement and interchangeability go? The 65 is the first year for the Twin I-Beam front suspension. My old 65 had a 300 3-speed in it and pulled and hauled everything I ever asked of it. I converted it to a floor shift when the factory shift collar on the column wore out. Drove it for many years and sold it with 175K on the clock. Saw it around town for many years after that too.
Thanks for the quick replies. Good information. The engine is still sitting on the trailer (covered - it's raining like crazy here in the so. Calif. desert). Will the 81 engine mount to any Ford bellhousing or just certain years?Same question for a T5. I'm thinking the easiest and cheapest would be to buy a trans, bellhousing, and clutch from someone that has upgraded or changed to a V8 or a T5 trans. Just not sure which way to go.
Check out slick 60's at www.fordtruk.com they only cover 61-66 Ford trucks. You have a few choices for trans. Borg Warner T19 out of an early 1980's 2wd Ford diesel pickup. It's a very heavy duty 4 speed fully synchronised with a 4.02 to 1 first gear. Bolts right up to the stock bellhousing and clutch, splines are right too. Bolts to stock trans mount. Biggest issue is driveshaft, you will have to have a custom driveshaft built with a slip joint since the T19 has a bolted on yoke. 4th gear is 1 to 1 so combine with a 3.25 rear gar for a decent driving transmission. It's what I am installing in my 66 F100 with a 300 six. Just need to do the driveshaft. Overdrive early 1980's Ford SMOD SROD TOD. See info here. http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/******_guide/******_guide.html Not as strong as the T19 and for me harder to find. Should bolt right up to bellhousing but may need ****** mount mods. Will probably need driveshaft work. Mustang V8 T5. Not very strong for a truck, needs adapter for bellhousing, ****** mount mods, drivshaft mods. Will probably have to run bucket seats or change tailhousing to S10 due to rear placement of shifter. M5OD R2 trans out of late 80's to early 90's Ford F150's with 302 v8 or 300 six. Have to make hydraulic cliutch setup as it has internal slave cylinder. Later ones will bolt up including 1997-2004 4.2L V6 but don't have speedo gear drive.
The 300 six will take any 1965 up 6 bolt 240/300 six, 289/302/351W/351C and 3.8/4.2L 90 degree V6 bellhousing. Just to be clear you have a twin I beam truck right, not a straight axle?
I finally got my truck running. The Ford 300 c.i. inline six has Clifford intake and headers, edelbrock 4-barrel, electronic ignition, and roller rockers. It pulls really strong, not fast, but lots of torque. Runs super cool (temperature wise) as well. I ended up with a T-18 granny 4 speed. It's just fun to drive. Thanks for the help.
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