I need a little help. I bought a 1961 Ford Starliner a few months back. I bought an 390 engine and Galaxie 4 speed toploader transmission. I would like to find all of the parts that are needed to install the motor and transmission. I do not have a bell housing or the z bar and components. Could someone tell me what parts are compatible, including the part numbers and or years. All help is appreciated.
You need to determine what the trans is. It could be a T-10 or a top loader. The bolt pattern is different on those trans. Maybe measure the bolt pattern on the trans???? There's a motor mount change because of engine bolt pattern in the real early engines. I don't remember when that occurred. Old and senile.
Trans tag is HEH-CC. It codes out to a 1965-66 Galaxie 390 toploader 4 speed close ratio. It has the 17" tailshaft. Both bell housing patterns
The 390 will drop in using OEM '61 mounts. The lack of a bellhousing is the main fly in the ointment. This will give all the options... Technical - FE Manual Bellhousings: What are the REAL differences between them? | The H.A.M.B. You're lucky to have a dual-pattern trans as that allows more choices. Likely the cheapest option requiring the fewest mods will be a '60-64 narrow pattern bell, followed by the C5TA truck bell but it may require a longer trans input shaft. The clutch cover on the bottom of the bell if missing is being reproduced for the '65-up bell, it can be used on the earlier bell but you'll have to re-drill the bolt holes. Ford added a block plate between the bell and the block somewhere around this time, I'll recommend adding one. These will be found on both automatic and manual trans motors, easy to find. Clutch linkage will be a ****shoot. Most (but not all) of the parts are being reproduced but you'll need to search across multiple vendors to find them. The three bits I don't see are the z-bar, frame pivot for the bar and pedal. Best bet is to find any manual-equipped full-size '60-64 Ford or Mercury to source it. Ford used pretty much the same linkage including the z-bar regardless of motor from '60 to '64 although there are minor variations. The main difference is the z-bar pivot on the motor, and that is available for the FE. The '60-62 linkage is identical except for the bearings used at the z-bar; the '60 used split clamshell bearings, '61-up used nylon bushings. '63-64 had different pedals depending on model. I see z-bars on eBay (there's several on there now) but prices are usually stupid IMO. If you have some fab skills, these can be built. I can furnish dimensions if you want to go that way.
For the missing parts I'd call Stan the Ford man. He's just out of Vancouver Wa. and is target is 1960-68 For full size. He's been making small parts out of complete cars for years. I haven't had a reason to call him for a few years but in the past have bought a lot from him with 100% satisfaction. He will ship, he runs the place by himself so his phone is his secretary. Be ready to leave him a detailed message and he will get back to ya, may take him a day or two. 360-687-1216. His prices have always been very fair and I've never recieved any part past good service. He knows his Ford parts well.
I'll second Stan. He was the only guy who had some needed trim bits for my '60 Sunliner and if you're looking at any of the reproduction trim now available for these cars, he'll do a bit better on price compared to the 'big boys'. I'll also note that if you are looking at that trim, I've bought some of it and the quality is excellent. You won't be disappointed. Do be patient with Stan. He's caring for his wife and his plate is full.
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