Transmission Crossmember and drive shaft


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By 43mike - 13 Years Ago
Hi Guys,

I'm thinking about changing out the three on the tree for a automatic.  Looking at a c4 tranny with the adapter housing on my 55 Fairlane with a 272.  My main questions are what to do about the transmission crossmember (existing or new & location), and what to do about the drive shaft?  Will the drive shaft have to be shortened, and if so by how much?  Also, I'm looking at a Flaming River column.  Have any of you done this and if so, what were the major problems. 

Thanks,

Mike

By The Master Cylinder - 13 Years Ago
I used the stock crossmember with a C-4 mount. Had to drill a couple of new holes is all. I'm using the stock driveshaft.



You might give Gene at Flat-o a call for any questions. Great guy and always willing to help. They also have speedo cables and a speedo ratio fixer upper if you decide to change your rear gears. I'm running 3.55's in an 8".
By 43mike - 13 Years Ago
Thanks for the info.
By Riz - 13 Years Ago
I used a Bendetsen adapter and a TH350 ( I know) Carl Bendetsen himself returned my call and gave some advice on the install. Any prefab x member should work and I welded some struts to the factory doughnuts for anti rotation at the rear of the engine. Through the ears of the tranny. Works well.



Lots of directions to go in- only advice is go slow and measure a lot.
By HT32BSX115 - 13 Years Ago
I am also using a Bentsen adapter but with an E4OD.



If I was going to do it in a car, knowing what I know now, I would do the AODE and use an electronic trans controller! like the one I am using for the E4OD!
By paul2748 - 13 Years Ago
I put a C4 in back of a 312 in my 56 Bird. All that had to be done was to elongate the holes in the mount. Used Flat-o-matic kit. Actually got the modified mount from them. My car was originally an automatic.
By 43mike - 13 Years Ago
I'm glad to be getting some advice for people that have done this.  The old three on the tree is in bad shape and I plan on giving this car to my daughter some day.  I can't see her ever being able to drive it like that. Another thing I'm going to do is add disk brakes to the front.  I looked at buying a junker with the fordomatic, column and peddles and just swapping them out, but the guy wanted too much for it for what I would have gotten out of it.  The changes I'm thinking about now, with the c4 and the flaming river column sounds like a better choise, even though it's a little more money. 

Thanks again for all the information.  Now I just have to find the $$$$$

Mike