429 4spd swap-or maybe a 3spd

[68swb]

ok i am getting ready to put the 429 i built in my truck and i finally got a 351/400m bell and decided to go with a 4spd tranny. i think that i have read that a 302 piolet bearing will work is this right or not, also the spacers between the bell and engine how many will i need? thanks in advance to all

[averagef250]

The pilot to use is the small ford one. It fits in the deeper of the recesses in the crank. You should have no problem if you just ask for a pilot for a 75 f250 2wd with a 460/4speed. There is only one plate between the engine and bell. It is there to locate the starter nose, not space the engine and trans apart. if you use a 351m/400 plate you will need to torch out some of the area around the crank to make it work on a 460.

[72hiboy4x4]

heep70 has 3 spacer plates on his truck.
?something to do with the input shaft alignment/depth on the tranny?

[averagef250]

Something's very sketchy if you need to run more than one plate. That plate is not even necessary, fords run perfectly fine without them, you just have to get the starter in the right spot when you tighten it down. There are alot of variants when someone sticks a 429/460 in a truck where one doesn't belong. All the parts are compiled from different years and models and there are many versions of the 460 car/truck/efi and even marine have thier small differences.

[68swb]

ok i think that i am not going to put a 4 spd in my truck since the only real advantage would be a granny gear i think that i will just leave the 3 on the tree in it so i dont have to cut out the floor, but would the 3 spd input shaft be strong enough?

[kid]

Put a car 4spd in it if you don't want granny. The 10-Bolt TopLoader works great in the truck and it if bought for a 429 has the correct snout length. FE trannies had longer input shafts.

[46stude]

I doubt that a 3 spd will last long behind the torque of a big block Ford, esp if you romp the loud pedal much. Like was said above, a 4 spd Toploader would be a better choice.

[68swb]

well i dont have a car 4 spd to put in it and i am only working with what i have on hand and with as little modification as possible. i would have to cut a hole in the floor for a 4 spd, so that is why i am leaning toward keeping the orignal 3 spd in it. the pilot bearing issue could be solved by simply changing it, right? i already have the bellhousing to make the swap and the 360 flywheel, disc, and press. plate aswell.

[splavin90]

i'd just get a truck 4 speed.

ford sketched where to cut on your floor so just fallow the lines and cut away.

i think a few trucks even had plates where the stick would go, that you can just unbolt and it's done.

[72hiboy4x4]

IMHO, I'd stay with the truck 4 speed. You don't have to use the granny gear, and most people drive it like a 3 speed anyways. And then you don't have to worry about tearing up the tranny by using one thats weak for the application.

[heep70]

GM/Chevy has the same 435 4 spd without the granny gear.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np435.htm

The reason I have 3 spacers is that I done this conversion many years ago before allot of research was done. The old 460 pilot bearing is the reason. I never had an issue with it so I just leave it alone. That will change next build. I have the 460 flywheel and aluminum 460/435 bell with hydraulics.

[68swb]

i also dont want to use a 4 spd b/c it takes up floor space. no one can ride in the middle comfortibly and i still dont want to have to hack up the body if i dont have to. and if the 3 spd is not strong enough i will go with the option of putting in the 4 spd. i have a borg warner 4 spd as well as 3 manual 3 spds and even 2 C6s. so if the 3 spd happens to break (hope it dont) they arent that heavy and are real easy to change without putting it on my lift.

[fordman]

yea the three speeds are one handed installs. Almost.

[68swb]

thats my point and my 68' isnt a daily driver and it isnt any type of street racer or drag racer. so i am not worried about anything breaking on it and needing to drive it i have other vehicles to drive, i havent driven the 68' in over 8 months.