Looking to convert my 61 econoline pickup to a g***er with a 302/c4 set up. Probably going to remove the dog house completely for clearance and access to the engine for what ever it may need. But what I really want to know is how to put an auto trans in my 64 econoline with the stock 6 cyl. set up? My 64 is a van and just want a more cruisable ride. Currently it has a factory 4 speed on the column. I've seen some econolines with factory auto trans., does the factory auto trans hang like the standard ****** or is there a cross member that it sits on? Any info or direction on the swap would be greatly appreciated. Thanx, John.
I'd be a bit curious about this as well, as much as i love the column shift i wouldn't mind an auto trans in mine for daily cruisin. ....also by 4spd do you mean 3spd? or is there a 4spd column shift as well?
Ha! I just converted mine from a 170 to a 302 and went through a lot of extra effort to KEEP the 3 speed! So much more fun to drive than an auto!!! If you really have a 4 speed and not a 3 speed, you have a very rare piece, or something someone put in from a later Econo. Yes, some Econos came with autos, but they were also pretty rare, and I think only in the later 65-67s, but I'm not sure. They hang the same way as the 3 speed. If you have a stock 6 in your 61, then you have a 144 or 170, a "small 6". I'm not sure if a C4 will bolt up to it. I think they used the SBF (289/302/351) and big 6 (240/300) bolt pattern... but I'm no Ford expert. Also, since you have a 61-64, you have a smaller/shorter dogbox which may not give you enough clearance for a c4 without dogbox & floor modification. You're going to go through a LOT of work to fit a v8 in a 61-64 Econo, so you might as well just drive it as is until you're ready to do your big g***er conversion instead of doing some work now that you'll probably have to redo later.
No the C4 won't bolt up to the earlier six. You would have to go to the '66 and later small six to get the right bell pattern to do that.
I had an automatic in my 65. Although the engine was a 200. I always fantasized about putting a V8 in there. Anyhow, if memory serves, there was just a small hump on the back of the doghouse to accommodate the ******. Is there a difference between the 61-64 doghouse and the 65-67? Damn I wish I still had that old beast.
'66 and up small 6? The 144 was available from 61 through 63, I think. The 170 was available somewhere around there until the end of the run in '67. The 240 BIG 6 was available from 65-67. The 240 (and 300 inline 6 which didn't come in 1st gen Econolines) has the v8 bolt pattern. In know the small 6s do not. Not sure about the c4. Are you saying that the 170's bolt pattern changed in '66? Also, I don't think Econolines came with a 200, just 144, 170 & 240 inline 6s, BUT a 200 is a direct bolt-in swap for a 144 or 170, so it's common to find them in these trucks. The 200 also has the small 6 bolt pattern.
thanx for all the input. Ya the 64 has a rare four speed column shift!!!!! it is a real work out to drive....and alot of fun. Its the blue one on my page. bought it that way except for the Fenton Hawks and whitewalls. Curious about the engine ****** swap but not sold on it, my daughter wants the van. Guess she will just have to learn to drive four on the tree....hey that don't sound right.
The 302 is a 6 bolt bell, & early 60s V8 were 5 bolt, even if the 6 & 8 were the same in '61. Easiest thing would be a Z Gate shifter.
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