302 and auto trans. in 55 Ford

[grumppyoldman]

Juat bought a 55 Fairlane with a 302 engine and a 3 speed automatic trans. how is a good way to tell what the trans. is? I can't see an adapter so I figure its a standard bolt up, there is a vaccume on the right side by the square oil pan. Could it be a C 6 which has been used in this conversion before? Al

[raceron1120]

If it's a square pan it's probably a C4.

[Alaska Jim]

does it have an oil cooler or is it air cooled?

[grumppyoldman]

I think I saw lines from the radiator, which should make it water cooled. Have to take another look to be sure. I believe the pan is square,I'll take a closer look at that also. Thanks for the help. Al

[ponymare]

If the trans is all one piece, it's a C6, if the bellhousing comes off, it could be a C4.

[rotorwrench]

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While they did make C6s to fit the Windsor small block pattern 351W & 351C for heavy duty applications, they really weren't all that common. If it's an older 302 then it should be a C4. If its later one then it could be a C6, FMX, or an AOD. It just depends on the application it came from. Of course, if it's a 3-speed, then it's no AOD.

[Alaska Jim]

The reason I ask about how it was cooled was to verify that it in fact did not have any type of adapter. it most likely is a c-4 if it is behind a small block 289/302

[poolplayer1]

My 55 ford has a 302 and the tranny is a C4. Yours could be a C6 but more than likely,its a C4 like mine. There is no aod on my tanny but it works very well with the 302.

[JeffB2]

Easiest way to tell is here.

[Bob-93021]

JeffB, Thanks for posting the pix. I am not changing anything but found the pix very helpful in identifying what I have since I have several AT with unknown transmissions - B

[grumppyoldman]

Yes thanks for the pics., I haven't had a chance to get it home from storage to check it out. The rear end has a whine I'll have to look at, I haven't checked to see what the rear end is, and weather has been to bad to work on it. My comp. got fried in lightning storm, so haven't been on site for a while. Thanks for the info. Al

[rotorwrench]

The 55 should still have the old Ford rear axle used basically from 1949 to 56. Does it whine under load or only when you coast? The pinion bearings may be worn or there is a loss of preload if it whines when coasting. If it whines under load then the gears are most likely shot.

At least it has a third member that can be removed and worked with on the bench but finding parts can be a bear.

[grumppyoldman]

It doesn't whine under load, just when coasting. I'm going to pull it next week and check it out. if it's bad I would like a set of gears to make it more hi-way frindley. The tag on it has 30.03-1 but I haven't checked that out. May have to go to a 8.8 or 9" rear end. Al

[grumppyoldman]

I've looked at the rear end and it doesn't look like a 8" or 9" rear, the pinion gear doesn't have a removable flange that holds it in the housing. I guess it has to come out after the rear end is remover from housing. Any ideas? Al

[paul2748]

A picture will tell all.

[grumppyoldman]

can't post pictures, lost my comp. and all pics. from a lightning storm a couple weeks ago, using wife's lap top for now. Al

[grumppyoldman]

After changing the oil in differential, the whine seems to be getting quieter, maybe wishful thinking. But it doesn't seem to be as loud as before, the more I drive it it seems to get quiter. Still waiting on weather to give me a chance to tear into it. Have to work outside under carport, when it rains it's too wet, when it's dry it's too hot, can't work on cars in storage. Al

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

I've looked at the rear end and it doesn't look like a 8" or 9" rear, the pinion gear doesn't have a removable flange that holds it in the housing. I guess it has to come out after the rear end is remover from housing. Any ideas? Al

Just wondering. It is a 1955 F/L HDPT/SEDAN, correct? What is the ENGINE CODE on the PATENT PLATE?

Two period styles rear assy below-

[grumppyoldman]

I'll check today. Al

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

I've looked at the rear end and it doesn't look like a 8" or 9" rear, the pinion gear doesn't have a removable flange that holds it in the housing. I guess it has to come out after the rear end is remover from housing. Any ideas? Al

Just a random thought... are you sure it's original to the car?
I know a fellow who bought an old T-bird and discovered the original rear end had been swapped with one from a Studebaker.

Since a previous owner swapped in a newer 302 and automatic, they may have put in a rear end too.
.

[grumppyoldman]

Yes it's the original rear end and has never been serviced before. I found a conneccting rod bolt in the pinion between the bearings where the crush sleeve is, Can't figure out how that got from the engine to the rear end. It was beat up pretty bad and the crush sleeve also had damage. Al

[grumppyoldman]

It was a bolt like the ones that hold the third member in the rear housing. All 10 of them were in place, and it was inside the crush sleeve. Tore the sleeve all to hell, wish I could post pics. maybe learn how to on my cell phone. Al

[grumppyoldman]

Got all the part's coming in tomorrow, C&G Ford Part's came through again for me. They had the rear axle bearing's and they saved the day. Good people to deal with. May have it back together this weekend. Al

[grumppyoldman]

All the parts in the overhaul kit were wrong, bearings and seals. Seems like Mac's had wrong year model listed for parts. Called Yukon Gear and axle who makes the kit, they said the kit is for 64 and up not for 55's, so be aware when ordering parts from Mac's. Found some more supplier's for parts ( NOS classic auto parts Wakachie Tx.) ( Green classic auto part's Conn.) ( Hilltop classic auto parts. moved from Cal. to North Carolina ) Maybe some you have not been aware of. Al

[grumppyoldman]

Waiting on more parts, but can't find a crush sleeve. Anyone of you have the dimensions for one. I could make my own if i kne the length and dia. maybe put bearings in pinion housing an take some measurment's to find out the length. Mine was FUBR and can't tell how long it was. Al

[grumppyoldman]

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Got more part's c&g had the right front pinion bearing, that nobody else had. It fits the outboard pinion shaft, still waiting on outboard pinion racer from Mac's, that is the last of the parts. Cut .290'' off the crush sleeve hope it works. Al

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

All the parts in the overhaul kit were wrong, bearings and seals. Seems like Mac's had wrong year model listed for parts. Called Yukon Gear and axle who makes the kit, they said the kit is for 64 and up not for 55's, so be aware when ordering parts from Mac's.

Their cataloging is very confusing (to me) and it seems the quality of the parts is questionable also.

[grumppyoldman]

Got all parts in and installed, put the rear end together, and only smashed one finger. Got axles in and now working on brakes. Had to buy a spring tool, damn things are stronger than they use to be. Have car jacked up and blocked, ran rear axles, no noise yet. Have to see what it does under load. maybe tomorrow. Al

[KULTULZ]

What did you do for a crush sleeve?

[grumppyoldman]

I used the one that's for a chevy. 12 bolt rear end, cut .290" off and it kinda worked. Should have cut only .280" off would have been just fine. I took a pipe and hammer and worked the expanded part over and got another .006" that tightened it up to where I could turn the u=joint,but not spin it. Got it all back together and seems to be fine. Will road test when it quits raining and roads dry. Al





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[grumppyoldman]

Road tested it Sat. and had no whine from rear end so far it looks like it's going to be ok. Al

[packrat5]

A Studebaker rear end won't fit in a Ford. The spring perches are located in a different place. Also, Studebaker axels were tapered, not flanged like a Ford, except for some 65 and 66 models, and I doubt if anyone would have sacrificed one of them to put in a Ford.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

Road tested it Sat. and had no whine from rear end so far it looks like it's going to be ok. Al

Please save this thread and any further results/info you come across post here.

It is interesting as the 1955 spacer was unique as was the 1956.