Took my '56 out on the freeway today to see how it ran at speed, and I'll say at the least,... I was intimidated/scared that it would BLOW!!! The motor wound SO HIGH at 50mph, she was looking for another gear!!! So I came home and clicked on the trusty "search box" here on the HAMB and came up with so many different answers I had to stop!! I was unable to figure out with all the different Yes it will/No it won't posts if I could do it, so I came here into a group of 52-56 lovers versus the "generic" hot rod world. Here is what I have...A basically stock 1956 2 door Customline Sedan, with the stock 272, 2 barrel (2100) carb, three speed on the tree, and whatever gears are in the rear from the factory. NOW: Here is what I want, a 4 speed ****** swap without adapters or high priced parts to put a late model 4 speed in my '56. I have read about the top loader, the v-6 mustang, a dodge van, t-5, also some truck 4 speeds where 4th was actually O.D.,etc, etc, etc. I want to put the shifter on the floor, and if possible NOT shorten the driveshaft??? Can anyone here let me know THRU THEIR EXPERIENCE what I need to do this or am I "******* up a pole"??? Thank you, Ken
You're boxing yourself in pretty tight on this one, Ken, especially if you expect everything to simply bolt into place, including the driveshaft. If lower rpm at freeway speeds is what you want, why not look into changing the rear end gear ratio? Something around a 3.0 or 3.1 would allow you to cruise at 60-70 comfortably and still not abuse the clutch. If you can't find gears for your stock rear end, an 8-inch from an early '70s Maverick will work just fine and is an easy swap. Take a look at my Victoria build thread for details. Most of these have 2.9, 3.0 and 3.1 ratios. You will have to move the spring pads on the rear axle and modify your driveshaft, but that's probably your easiest way out. Hope this helps.
Chopper, go for a T-5. If you think you're winding that high, you've probably got some tall gears in that Ford. Was it an OD car originally? Either way, a top loader won't do anything for you but give you an extra gear. 4th gear is still 1:1 ratio, like the 3 speed you're running now. A T5 will give you OD and make you a happy camper. Or, determine what diff gear you are running and change to a lower numeric ratio, and run a top loader. Talk to Raceron1120. I put a top loader in his '56. The swap is pretty straight up, although the OD of the trans nose cone had to be cut down about .180 to index into the bellhousing, and about 3/8 inch needs to be trimed from the front of the trans input shaft. The trans mount needs a little rework, also. You will have to shorten the shaft, but thats not a big deal to have done. The overdrive ratio of a T5 is about .67, so determine the rear axle ratio you have now, and multiply it by the .67. That will give you the ratio you will run in overdrive. If you don't know how to deterimine your rear ratio, let me know and I'll help you there. This swap has been done many times by a lot of Ford guys, so you'll have no problems if you go for it. Ther's an adapter out there to adapt the T5 to the early bellhousing. Just used it to put a T5 in a '63 Fairlane with a 260. Regards, John
Yeah, I figured there woud be some "adapting" necesary, I work at a machine shop and have unlimited use of a lathe and mill, and I myself am a TIG welder there so if I need to fab something up I can and will, including shortining the driveshaft (then have it balanced) .... I was just hoping for that "uhhh, just swap in a 4 speed from another car) like Chevy cars are able to do. There is just SO MUCH info on this swap on the HAMB my pea brained head can't absorb it all!!! Thanks you guys, I'll probably be "picking your brains" when I get the car on jackstands and actually dive into it if you don't mind, Thanks again, Ken
I feel the same way as Ken...I don't like putting my 54 up like that.. I guess the gear ratio is 3.90..it says on hemmings that automatics use a 3.31. can a lower gear ratio make solve my problem. Is it a big job? Do I buy from Catalog, or look used? Some all I can gather the car has a 9 inch rear end?? Dennis
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