Small Block Transmission Guts Into A Big Block Transmission

[usmcjones1988]

Ok i have a c6 transmission out of a 1969 f 250 and its was linked up to a 360, now if i buy a big block case can i take all the guts out of the small block transmission and put it into the big block transmission and everything still work fine?

[j41385]

Ok i have a c6 transmission out of a 1969 f 250 and its was linked up to a 360, now if i buy a big block case can i take all the guts out of the small block transmission and put it into the big block transmission and everything still work fine?

Just fyi, the 360 is not a small block. It is an FE big block. Not the Same as a 385 series (429-460) big block though. As far as what will swap I will let someone like Donnie handle that.

[usmcjones1988]

o so a 360/390 are considered FE Big block?

[j41385]

Yes unlike Chevy, which has big block small block, Ford has Engine Families. The Small block is 260, 289, 302, 351w. There is the 335 series, which is known as the Cleveland, which is the 351C, 400, and 351M. There is the FE Big block family, which was 332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, and 428. Finally is the 385 series which was the 429, and 460.
In the early- mid 60s you had the Smalblocks, and Big block meant FE. Then they came out with the 385 series, which is what people generally mean now when they say Ford big block.

[BobbyFord]

Ok i have a c6 transmission out of a 1969 f 250 and its was linked up to a 360, now if i buy a big block case can i take all the guts out of the small block transmission and put it into the big block transmission and everything still work fine?

Yes, you can swap from one C6 case to another. I did the same thing on my truck when I swapped in the 460.

[usmcjones1988]

ok sounds good another question i hear alot of people talk about having a shift kit in there transmission, and i have no idea what it is or what it does, or even if is is good or bad for the transmission can anyone enlighten me?

[Donnie]

USMC, Bobby Ford answered the first question that you posted & he is 100% spot on.
I will answer your 2nd question--------yes you can put a shift kit in your trans, there are several kits on the market..They come in many variants, from mild to wild.
You will want a mild kit in your truck for general driving, if you want to hog it hard, then it is another post. They just firm up the shifts & prolong the life of a GOOD trans.
A "shift kit" is the name of a valve body reprogram kit consisting of some springs and valves & some other small mods, like drill a hole , etc.....
The name SHIFT KIT is used as a generic term for any valve body reprogram package. This is incorrect.
"SHIFT KIT" is really registered To Gil Younger, from El Monte, Ca. other mfgs call them" by shift corrections package" that would be Superior Parts in Fla. Shift improvers is another. B&M makes one too.....B&M kits shift pretty hard....not sure if you want that?????
And there are many others........I would use Gil's mild kit as you just want to firm up the shifts a bit, I assume.Gil was the first to improve on the factory problems as far back as the 1950's..........He invented the shift kit & has copyrite on the name.They sell mostly to shops, but if you google them??????????? If you need more info. Repost...Donnie

[papabug71]

Great info guys. Donnie, great info on the origin of the generic term "shift kit".

Just to clear up the big block/ small block deal. Big block & small block are generic as well. Ford NEVER classified they're engines as big-block-small block. They have always been done by SERIES. Windsor, 335, 385, MEL, FE, FT, ect.

[usmcjones1988]

So the company I want to look for is TransGo correct?
Something like this:http://transgoonline.com/products.php?p ... ntview=Yes

[Hawkrod]

Great info guys. Donnie, great info on the origin of the generic term "shift kit".

Just to clear up the big block/ small block deal. Big block & small block are generic as well. Ford NEVER classified they're engines as big-block-small block. They have always been done by SERIES. Windsor, 335, 385, MEL, FE, FT, ect.

One minor detail, they were not known as Windsor engines until 1970 when they had to differentiate between the 351W and the 351C prior to that they were called "Fairlane Engines" as they were designed as a new special light weight thin wall casting design for the new smaller Fairlane in the early 60's. It really isn't important but its a great bit of trivia! It was an important selling point on those cars and the 221 was considered an engineering masterpiece! Hawkrod

[Bullitt390]

One minor detail, they were not known as Windsor engines until 1970 when they had to differentiate between the 351W and the 351C prior to that they were called "Fairlane Engines" as they were designed as a new special light weight thin wall casting design for the new smaller Fairlane in the early 60's. It really isn't important but its a great bit of trivia! It was an important selling point on those cars and the 221 was considered an engineering masterpiece! Hawkrod

You mean like this ol' Buddy?



Josh

[Bullitt390]

and another...



Josh

[Hawkrod]

That'ed be it! LOL There is a well known engine builder who claims that FE stands for Fairlane Engine and it makes me laugh because he believes that all the old literature is talking about the FE not the thinwall casting smallblock. He thinks we are all nuts! LOL Hawkrod