Hi there, I was wanting to put a 292 Y Block with a E4OD Trans in my 1950 Ford Shoebox. Has anyone put such a combination in and if so what special things do I need to know? Will I need to cut back the firewall? I know that the trans hump will need to be redone, anything else? Your help is greatly appreciated. If this doesn't sound like it will work let me know what has worked for you guys. I am really set on wanting a Y block but I just want a strong ****** that has OD for all the road trips I plan on taking with my ride. Thanks In Advance For Your Help. Tom pumpkindunkin
i had a 239 y block in mine your oil pan will have to be sectioned and i used the wrap around exhaust crossover steering gets in the way on driver side manifold
As d2 said, you will need an adapter. You have several options...but before you get to that point, I would SERIOUSLY consider using a different overdrive automatic, even if you have the E4OD, or it's free. It is very large, and overkill for a Y block; it also has some known issues. They can be fixed, but you still have the size problem. An AOD, or (if you are not opposed to cross-branding) a GM 200-4R or 700-R4 are much better choices. You will have to buy an adapter regardless of which of the four you choose, so you might as well pick the optimal trans for fit.
Thanks For the help, Please keep it coming. Yeah the more I think about it I should just use a AOD ******. Does anyone know of any bad years or problems with the AOD? Thanks Homespun91, I knew that I was going to have to buy an adapter for the motor anyway, but I want to keep it all Ford. This is my first build so I'm looking for Ideas & Inspiration from you guys. I am wondering why I don't see more Y blocks in 1949 - 1951 Fords. Any pictures or websites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tom pumpkindunkin
Here's one...nicest I've seen...supercharged even! The car is on Ebay right now... Search "1950 Ford Y-block", there's a few engine pictures BIGREDTODD
The AOD was made from 1980-93; as a general rule the later ones are the ones to get. None of them are exactly unbreakable in stock form, but it should survive behind a stock or mild Y. They can be rebuilt to handle quite a bit of power. The TV cable adjustment is crucial, so make sure you thoroughly understand it before you try to adjust or drive the car. The process is easy...just needs to be done right. The other key factor is the bracket which positions the TV cable to hook up to the carburetor...the alignment of the cable is important as well. There are brackets available from Lokar, a**** others, that can be used with common four barrels. Another option for you would be the AOD's successor & descendant, the AOD-E (later renamed the 4R70W). It has some internal improvements....but the major difference is that they are electronically controlled...no TV cable. That means you have to have an aftermarket controller, which are kinda pricey. On the other hand you can adjust shift points however you like, and you also get a lock-up converter, which will help miles per gallon, which is kind of the major point of using the overdrive.
You might look for one of the Hurst (or imitation) saddle-type mounts that were available "back in the day" for doing this swap. They show up on eBay occasionally & seem to go for reasonable prices. Of course you can always fab side mounts or even duplicate something like the Hurst mount, but it would be your easiest ticket in. The firewall doesn't need any mods (on the ones I've seen). Trans tunnel mods will probably depend on what you pick & where you position everything, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear that a 200-4R fit in with relative ease. Bttt for the nighttime crew.
should fit with out to many problems get a sump and oil pickup tube off a pickup as the pickups had the deep section at the back of the engine then fabricate brackets off front of motor to utilze original engine mounts you will probably need to fab gearbox cross member
Homespun is on the money, an E40D is huge, and the regular AOD requires no electronics, just a TV cable, it is very important. The AOD gear ratios ****, low gear is awful high, so a nice low ratio rear end would be sweet. BTW, I have been thinking about a 292Y block for a potential project, the motor mounts dont bother me but who makes adapters for new trans, Im thinking of using a c4 mostly because I have one. Brad
Brad, There are several sources for Y block trans adapters, depending on the desired transmission. The two that are specifically designed for a C4 are the Bendtsen unit http://www.transmissionadapters.com/index.htm (though designed for the AOD, it can be used with the C4 with a different flywheel); and the Flat-O Products kits. http://www.flat-o.com/ The Bendtsen adapter is simply that; a plate between the engine & transmission. The Flat-O Products kits are actual bellhousings that adapt a C4 to either a car or truck that was originally Y block powered. As a result they will not work with the AOD. Though they are designed for vehicles that were always powered by a Y, they can be used in other applications. The main difference between the kits is that the truck version has side mounts on the bell, just as '54-'64 Ford/Merc trucks did, and are used with the single front engine mount. Depending on the ch***is, this may be an advantage, or may be irrelevant. There are several other adapters out there for the AOD and other transmissions & I can add more info if needed.
The Jalopy Journal
