[Rio_Grande]

I have a 1970 ford truck that I have no money in, It is a f250 and in decent shape but the 390 in it is locked up due to a leaking head gasket. The 390 I know from experience is a big pig, and I can do without the 5 mpg. I rebuilt a 390 years ago, and the expense was rediculous.

Question: It has a T18 4 speed (I think) I would like to swap in a 302 or 351 to replace the 390. Will a standard trany bellhousing from a sb ford mate the two or will i need to find something specific?? Key is I do not want to put a bunch of dough in this and just want it dependable enough to haul wood and tow the tj to and from the trail.

 

[027]

Well I can't answer the question about the bell housing,,, or won't because I'm not real sure, and don't want to miss lead you.
But I do have a question,,, are you going to use this truck as a tow vehicle?

If so the 390 is a real mule where the 302 and 351 are light weights. I can't imagine why you incurred so much expense on your last 390 rebuild, unless you replaced a lot of hard parts.

I will agree about the gas milage, but 9 has been the worst I have ever got out of the venerable 390

, the good thing there is I can count on it whether it's running dry down the road or if I'm pulling a house behind me. The milage the same.

Over the years I have owned about 8 390's of various torque and HP models, (trucks and hotrods). I rebuilt 6 of those. The last being in my 73 Explorer pick up. I just sold that thing about 2 years ago

.

 

[Rio_Grande]

I agree it is a beast,, It is just kinda a dinosaur, and this block would have to be bored,, and it is just not worth that much to me... I had found a TPI 5.0 that I think I could install for about the price of the 390 rebuild and have a more dependable base... I used to find 390's everywhere, but they seem to all be locked up lately and 5.0's around here are a dime a dozen..

 

[jdoggmoney]

Sorry, can't help with the bellhousing issue. Just thought I would chime in and let ya know that I did this swap in my old Ford with A/T about three years ago. Found a great write up for it if you'd like I can PM it or post it for ya.

Seems to me I read a post mnot too long ago where someone ran down the list of bellhousings and differences. Hmmmmmmm.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Ya, post it.. I am researching now, not in a big hurry just gathering info. A goggle search revealed to much, and the Ford forum on here is too slow..

 

[jdoggmoney]

HERE it is. I found most of the info fit my install into the 1970. You can PM me if you run into problems along the way. Oh by the way, mine was a Ford LTD motor and the wiring harness worked great.

 

[Dirt Dog]

Here's the poop.
On fords the bell pattern is.....

Big bell (like big block)
351C
351M
360
390
400M
427
429
460

Small bell
300 (6cyl)
260
289
302
351W

Those are the COMMON ford engines and what they will fit as far as bell patterns. (and there are plenty of others too)
Hope that helps Jeff.

 

[Rio_Grande]

So a 351 will bolt up to the 390 bell housing?

If so,, 351's out of bronco's are an easy find here,, maybee I will go that way. course no fi then.

 

[Dirt Dog]

What kind of 351? A Windsor or modified? (they didn't put clevelands in broncos)

A windsor is a small bell like a 302.
351M is a big bell and fits the same as a 390.

 

[027]

In reply to:

Big bell (like big block)
351C
351M
360
390
400M
427
429
460

[/ QUOTE ]

Some where in the back of my mind, and these days most things are there

, I thought the 427/429 used a different bell housing. When I went to put a 427 in my old truck (73 390 C6) the tranny was not compatible or something like that. Now this was way back about 79 soooooo, I have slept a few days since then and I may be all wet here

.

 

[IN2DEEP]

I think you guys missed his original question by just a little bit. He's asked if he can swap the bell onto the transmission. You guys are talking about the bellhousing to motor bolt pattern.

I'm thinking the bells interchange easily on the transmissions. This truck is pretty outdated so I'm leery of saying anything with 100% acuracy. But I'm pretty sure the transmissions all use the same "butterfly" pattern on the BACK of the bell.

The swap should be pretty easy, with the exception of all your brackets of course.....

 

[649]

My T18 came from behind just such a truck(390 FE motor) and bolted right to my 302/351 bell housing.

 

[Dirt Dog]

Doh! Don't know if I missed the actuall question or if he edited it.

Anyway, yes, the bells interchange on the tranny.....no problem........like jimmy said.