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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

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    2/27/2019 9:28 PM  #1

    Tony M
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    From: Lewis Center, OH
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 25

    what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    A friend just bought a '66 with a 6 cyl and 3-speed and wants to swap in a C4.  Neither of us have done it and need to know what parts are required.   We know the following:
    ​Neutral safety switch
    radiator and cooling lines
    shifter and housing
    ​brake pedal

    ​Will we need a different transmission mount, drive shaft and/or reverse switch?  What else are we forgetting?

    Thanks!

     

     

    2/27/2019 10:39 PM  #2

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,526

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    The neutral safety and backup lights are controlled off the same switch on the trans.

    The radiator may already have a cooler tank built in.  Check to see if there are plugs in the bottom tank.  If its ever been swapped, most aftermarket radiators are just set up for automatics, so they have the cooler whether its used or not. 

     

    2/27/2019 10:47 PM  #3

    50vert
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    From: QLD Australia
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,428

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    Big shoulders to shrug off the grief you're gunna get for going auto.
    Speedo cable.
    Converter, flexplate and flexplate bolts. Get the dipstick with the C4.
    Kickdown linkage. Vacuum source
    Reverse switch is part of the neutral safety switch.
    Gearbox mount is the same.

    Last edited by 50vert (2/27/2019 10:52 PM)

    "Those telephone poles were like a picket fence"
     

    2/28/2019 2:30 PM  #4

    lowercasesteve
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    From: Auburn, Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but is the I6 C4 different from the V8 C4 just as the manual Trans's are?
    Also the block plate and maybe the starter.

    Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
     

    2/28/2019 3:09 PM  #5

    Chaplin
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    Registered: 3/14/2015
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    In my best Colonel Kurtz voice, the horror.

     

    2/28/2019 3:17 PM  #6

    GPatrick
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    The C-4's are essentially the same between the 6 and 8 back at the trans.  However, they do have different bell housings.  When I did my initial V8 swap I used the 6 cylinder trans because I had just had it rebuilt and the rebuilder installed the V8 clutches, etc.  All I had to do was swap bell housings and use the V8 torque converter.  Until we brought the Mustang up to Denver from Dallas it actually ran pretty well with the 6.  At our altitude it was dangerously slow.  If someone was not able to drive the stick for physical reasons the C4 would be better than nothing.

    I can't speak to the length of the driveshaft as we installed the 8" rear as part of the total V8 swap and used the donor car driveshaft.

     

    3/01/2019 4:39 PM  #7

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    Save yourself LOTSA $$$ and headaches  and go buy you a  nice 'lilToyota Yari or something under powered like that! At least ,along with the snail-like performance, you will  get good brakes and better mileage.
    OR...take a few minutes to learn how to work your left foot and right hand at the same time!
    I can only hope the Mustang "sick-cylinder" has been hopped up some to over come the castration the C-4 will cause.
    jus say'in
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    3/02/2019 6:36 AM  #8

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,526

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    Those sixes can run great.  They just need twin turbos (small blowing through a larger one) and enough money thrown at them to build two respectable V8s. 

     

    3/02/2019 12:44 PM  #9

    Tony M
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    From: Lewis Center, OH
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 25

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    We hear you and know that we're doing this kinda in reverse!  Love of certain things can make one do things that make others scratch their heads.   

    Dan already has a 66 fastback w/ Pony interior, 289 that's mildly built with a 4 speed.  He bought this coupe because it's a 2 owner, documented 48,000 mile factory Emberglo with 2 tone pony interior (parchment). He's loved that color combo when he first saw it at age 11 back in 66.  It just happens to have a 6 cyl and 3 speed. He's not crazy about the 3-speed and since it's a 6, he'd prefer the the automatic.

    This car isn't being built for performance as he gets all the fun he wants with the fastback  He just wants a simple cruiser, hence the automatic.  We're just trying to get a handle on everything involved with the swap so we can start to source parts.  

    We appreciate all info regarding parts for the swap and any tips from anyone who may have done it.

    Thanks, 
    Tony

       •Thread Starter
     

    3/02/2019 1:20 PM  #10

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,526

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    I wouldn't be crazy about the 3 speed either.

    Though...

    Considerably more content with it than with an automatic of any kind, especially behind an engine with so little power.  I'd rather my drivetrain suck up 15% of my engine's power than 20% given the choice. 

    Hey, to each his own.  This is a tough crowd for sure in your current regard.  We'll help, but it comes with busting your stones

     

    3/02/2019 1:30 PM  #11

    Raymond_B
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    From: Fort Worth, TX
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    Tony M wrote:

    We hear you and know that we're doing this kinda in reverse!  Love of certain things can make one do things that make others scratch their heads.   

    Dan already has a 66 fastback w/ Pony interior, 289 that's mildly built with a 4 speed.  He bought this coupe because it's a 2 owner, documented 48,000 mile factory Emberglo with 2 tone pony interior (parchment). He's loved that color combo when he first saw it at age 11 back in 66.  It just happens to have a 6 cyl and 3 speed. He's not crazy about the 3-speed and since it's a 6, he'd prefer the the automatic.

    This car isn't being built for performance as he gets all the fun he wants with the fastback  He just wants a simple cruiser, hence the automatic.  We're just trying to get a handle on everything involved with the swap so we can start to source parts.  

    We appreciate all info regarding parts for the swap and any tips from anyone who may have done it.

    Thanks, 
    Tony

    When I bought my 66 Coupe it was a 200/C-4. For driving around on nice days and having fun it's adequate. I even drove from South Fort Worth to North Richland hills braving 35W and 820 <-- DFW folks will understand the horror of that!

     

    Last edited by Raymond_B (3/02/2019 1:31 PM)

     

    3/03/2019 8:43 AM  #12

    BillyC
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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 966

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    I never knock a guys/girls ride. Everyone does what they do for a reason. I got my 66 because the older gentleman that owned it took a stroke right after he finished rebuilding the 6 and painting it. He could no longer use his left leg to work the clutch. He was faced with two options. Install a C4 or sell the car. I bought it and he bought a 66 convertible with an automatic. To each his own.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    3/03/2019 12:01 PM  #13

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,874

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    BillyC wrote:

    I never knock a guys/girls ride. Everyone does what they do for a reason. I got my 66 because the older gentleman that owned it took a stroke right after he finished rebuilding the 6 and painting it. He could no longer use his left leg to work the clutch. He was faced with two options. Install a C4 or sell the car. I bought it and he bought a 66 convertible with an automatic. To each his own.

    There ya go!^^^^^
    So true.
    Some folkz kinda unintentionally "tease hard" and it comes out worng when posting. (I guess that-would-be-me)

    If ya need an A/T behind a 6 cylinder....so what!...that's what ya need!

    Everybody doesn't want/need a 427 SOHC-dual quad-6 speed-4.11:1 geared roller cammed racing fuel guzzleing fat tired 200,000 dollar show/ street ride.

    "Whatever-toots-your-whistle"!!! Right?!
    6s6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    3/03/2019 12:57 PM  #14

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,673

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    6sally6 wrote:

    Everybody doesn't want/need a 427 SOHC-dual quad-6 speed-4.11:1 geared roller cammed racing fuel guzzleing fat tired 200,000 dollar show/ street ride.

    Ya, but everybody wants one.
     

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    3/03/2019 1:21 PM  #15

    BillyC
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    rpm wrote:

    6sally6 wrote:

    Everybody doesn't want/need a 427 SOHC-dual quad-6 speed-4.11:1 geared roller cammed racing fuel guzzleing fat tired 200,000 dollar show/ street ride.

    Ya, but everybody wants one.
     

     
    Gotta agree with RPM. Old want one of those even if I needed someone to drive it for me.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    3/04/2019 12:11 PM  #16

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,526

    Re: what is needed to swap 6cyl 3-speed to C4?

    I don't know, seems like kind of a low bar.  Couldn't we make that 427 a stroker?  Put an 8-71 under those dual quads?

     

     

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