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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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So we are looking at a new project car that my wife just loves. It's a 56 Custom 2 door Ranch Wagon bone stock with a Ford-O-Matic that is leaking like a sieve. I don't have much experience with automatics so I'm on a steep learning curve here. I've read the tech article written by Jeff Hellam on this conversion in a T-Bird, but wondered if there were any additional or different complications when doing this conversion on a passenger car or wagon. Such as the rear tranny cross member. Can it be modified or does it need to be replaced? Any other major issues?
Thanks,
Rono
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By dbird - 10 Years Ago
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Ron,
While I can't speak for full size Fords, the trans mount appears to be the same as a Thunderbird, which means there might only have to be minor modifications to the crossmember. I had to drill one hole and oval the other and the 68 Mustang mount dropped right in. What I would really recommend is that you call Gene at Flat-O and ask him. When I bought his adapter, he was a wealth of knowledge about both the installation and the rebuild of the C4. You might also consider rebuilding the trans yourself, this was my first automatic and it wasn't that bad.
Don
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By Pete 55Tbird - 10 Years Ago
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Happy New Year. I do not have any tips on the FOM to C4 conversion. Be aware that not all C4s are created equal. The early 1965 to 1969 have a different input shaft ( 24 spline) than the 1971 and up ( 26 spline) and the torque converters are different. The valve body changed in 1967. The later C4s are better supported by the aftermarket. The C4 is very lightweight and very simple and easy and cheap to rebuild. No special tools needed to rebuild if you choose DIY. A video I used was Badshoe ( check it out on YOUTUBE) and I recommend it. Pete
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Don & Pete;
Thanks for your responses. I was actually considering an already rebuilt C4 that could handle a bit more HP rather than trying to rebuild one myself. The conversion kit from either JM or Flat-O-Matic plus the cost of a new C4 will be considered in my negotiations for this car. I'll post some pictures if we get it.
Rono
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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I put a C4 in my 56 Bird. In reading about C4's on a trans site, it mentioned that the 1980 and later C4's were the better one. I used a 1980 unit.
I purchased the rear mount from Flat-O which was a later stock unit slightly modified and it worked without any problems. If the Tbird rear mount is the same as the sedans, then this mount would work. Again, contact Flat-O for info. Nice guy and he answers all your questions. Nice kit too.
If your using the stock shifter, make sure the trans has the gear selector for a column shift. The one I bought had accomodation for both column and floor shifter. If I remember correctly, the column shifter one has the arm pointing down, the floor shift up. I found this out in reading the same info where I learned about the best years to use.
If your going to a floor shift, a mustang shifter might work. After market too.
As far as the kickdown, I used the stock kickdown which I modified (actually made longer and put the same fitting on that end as the one up top). Had to bend it a little too.
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks Paul, Good advice. The Ranch Wagon has manual steering so I'm looking at the Fatman conversions using a Cavalier power rack since my wife will be driving the car. That being said, those conversions require an aftermarket column with no shifter linkage so I probably will go with some nice floor shifter...maybe B&M or something.
Thanks,
Rono
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