The Ford Barn

bullrunmotor · 07-14-2025, 09:39 PM

I have a 40 style V-12 Trans and OD unit and was wondering if anyone has adopted them to 40-48 Ford Passenger car use by modifying the torque tube and driveshaft. The Lincoln transmission has same spline count and bolt pattern to adapt to a 59 series V8 motor. Thanks in advance

38 coupe · 07-15-2025, 05:23 AM

I have seen pictures of one installed. It involved replacing the whole center of the frame, the overdrive and the middle of a Ford frame try to be in the same place.

pistonbroke · 07-15-2025, 07:19 AM

You would also have to shorten the tube and driveshaft. A lot of customizing work that can be avoided by using a Columbia or Mitchel overdrive. Tim

42merc · 07-15-2025, 08:18 AM

I installed a Lincoln OD trans into a '40 cpe a while back.
13" out of the torque tube & driveshaft a little surgery on the X member & walla a great driving combo. A few more details maybe, but do-able.
BW OD makes an old Ford highway friendly.
My trans had a 26 tooth cluster IMO a good choice.

Drbrown · 07-15-2025, 09:53 AM

RELATED: I would love to do this but have not. I was told by Mac there are three Lin Zeffer tranny parts needed to convert a mid-late Ford tranny to better low gear ratio's ....LZ 18T input shaft gear main drive + 24T second gear + 26-22-18-14T cluster gear. Those parts of course hard to find and expensive when found. They have been reproduced but there are some coments the reproductions are poor quality.

Mart · 07-15-2025, 05:57 PM

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The LZ gear ratios only make sense in a light car with a big engine. The LZ had a low axle ratio. The 16/28 ford gearset is a good all round combo. I have a 41 pickup and it has a 3.54 axle ratio. I used a 15/29 gearset to compensate for the tall rear end ratio.

We're getting off topic.

Re overdrives. If the lz od box can be fitted as some have stated they have done it, it would be a nice combo. I adapted an od box to my 32 sedan and it is a nice setup.
Mart.

07-14-2025, 09:39 PM	#1
bullrunmotor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 229	Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? I have a 40 style V-12 Trans and OD unit and was wondering if anyone has adopted them to 40-48 Ford Passenger car use by modifying the torque tube and driveshaft. The Lincoln transmission has same spline count and bolt pattern to adapt to a 59 series V8 motor. Thanks in advance

07-15-2025, 05:23 AM	#2
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,137	Re: Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? I have seen pictures of one installed. It involved replacing the whole center of the frame, the overdrive and the middle of a Ford frame try to be in the same place.

07-15-2025, 07:19 AM	#3
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 839	Re: Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? You would also have to shorten the tube and driveshaft. A lot of customizing work that can be avoided by using a Columbia or Mitchel overdrive. Tim

07-15-2025, 08:18 AM	#4
42merc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buchanan, MI Posts: 702	Re: Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? I installed a Lincoln OD trans into a '40 cpe a while back. 13" out of the torque tube & driveshaft a little surgery on the X member & walla a great driving combo. A few more details maybe, but do-able. BW OD makes an old Ford highway friendly. My trans had a 26 tooth cluster IMO a good choice.

07-15-2025, 09:53 AM	#5
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,403	Re: Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? RELATED: I would love to do this but have not. I was told by Mac there are three Lin Zeffer tranny parts needed to convert a mid-late Ford tranny to better low gear ratio's ....LZ 18T input shaft gear main drive + 24T second gear + 26-22-18-14T cluster gear. Those parts of course hard to find and expensive when found. They have been reproduced but there are some coments the reproductions are poor quality.

07-15-2025, 05:57 PM	#6
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,239	Re: Anybody ever put a 40-48 V-12 tranny and OD in a stock ford with torque tube? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The LZ gear ratios only make sense in a light car with a big engine. The LZ had a low axle ratio. The 16/28 ford gearset is a good all round combo. I have a 41 pickup and it has a 3.54 axle ratio. I used a 15/29 gearset to compensate for the tall rear end ratio. We're getting off topic. Re overdrives. If the lz od box can be fitted as some have stated they have done it, it would be a nice combo. I adapted an od box to my 32 sedan and it is a nice setup. Mart.