302 and C6 fit in a 1954?

JohnSunliner

JohnSunliner

Member
I know the 302 and C4 has been put in 1954 models, but will the 302 C6 combination fit? I think the C6 is bigger, is it too big? Any advice would be appreciated.
John Adams
November 2012 update: yes it fits easily.
 
Last edited:
A C 6 is very big, and uses way more HP to turn. I had a 54 with a 302 and a C4, it nearly bolted itself in. I would look for a small bell housing C4, like what was in a 78 Mustang II. Be sure to get the flyweel with the trans, I think they may be smaller as well.
 
I'm running an AOD in my '54 with a 302 and it's a good fit and with gas prices on the climb the overdrive is a good thing to have.Just make sure the flexplate matches the year of the 302 1980 and up are 50 oz balance and early is 28 oz.
 
C-4 flexplate with 28 oz imbalance will work with the AOD if you are using the early 302. 50 oz later 302's/5.0's can use the later AOD flexplate. DO NOT use the FMX/C-6 flexplate. The converter will not seat properly in the pump and the transmission will be "fried" in just a few miles.
 
My 302 is a 1979 and I have the flex plate that was on the engine. Is there a way to verify it is a 28 oz one by looking at it? I am putting in a slightly higher lift cam (summit height torque, at low rpm, good idle), 40 over bore, and a 4 barrel instead of the original 2 brl carb. Will these upgrades effect the flex plate unbalance required?
John
 
Is this the Cam? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-K3600/ This is the one I have it has the specs of the Ford Racing hydraulic Cam offered about 4 years ago,very strong bottom end and mid-range power with this intake http://www.kmjent.com/cart/product.php?productid=2273&cat=20164588&page=1 Look on the block right above the starter and post the block code to verify,also look for a part number on the flexplate and run it on Google.This would be a good Carb choice http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-M08600VS/ The C4 & AOD is a better fit in a '54.This is the place to go for install info on a 302 swap in a '54.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332
 
A couple of things about the intake I posted that I really like is after 3 years of having mine is it just wipes clean and stays shiny,and it has 4 water ports so temperature balance is maintained and you can put the temp sender and heater hose connection in a rear port,Edelbrock and Weiand intakes do not have this feature and having only a front port puts one outlet too close to the distributor's vacuum canister.The Summit Carb uses a lot of the Ford 4100 features with some great upgrades and the extra benefit of using readily available Holley parts.
 
JohnSunliner how he would know what he has or needs. Here in Oz we are a little less flush with engine/gear box combos. A friend of mine converted a roller cammed 302 Windsor from about a 1986 F250 fitted ith a four speed to a C4 auto. The box and flexplate he got hold of was from a 1971 Oz Falcon. All bolted up fine, but when we started the engine you would swear it had the biggest bearing knock possible. We knew the engine was good so looked at the gearbox/torque converter. Some enquiries revealed that the 1971 Windsor was internally balanced and the late model Windsor is externally balanced. We had to get the flexplate rebalanced with more weight to suit the engine.
The upshot of this is that if you fit the wrong flexplate to the engine you will know very quickly. The engine makes the loudest most frightening noise imaginable.
I don't know what the changeover date of which flexplate for which engine, but I would assume that all roller cammed factory engines need the heavier weighted flexplate.
Regards
 
The change over date was 1984, Im not sure if it was mid year or not. But from 1985 and up the 302's was 50oz motors, 1984 and back was 28oz motors. But "ALL" of the 351W are 28oz motors.
 
Last edited:
Just to close the loop on this old thread. Many suggested a C4 but I had c6 freshly rebuilt so that is the transmission I used. For any one wondering, the 302/C6 combination fits into the 1954 with ease. I did not have to cut anything to fit the bell housing or length of the C6.
 
It will work , but the C6 just robs you of so much torque & HP . They did come in some Cougars and Mustangs but a C4 will hole just about all the HP you can put to it . C4 are very easy to find and can buy them in running condition for a $200 or less most of the time . Most of the time the trans just needs new seals and a good cleaning .
Now if the C6 is all you have and working , then use it ! You can always safe up for a different trans down the road if you really need to replace it .
I love a C4 because they are easy to find , easy to rebuild and strong !

Jim
 
Jim, I agree with you. Be pretty hard to 'hurt' the C-4 behind my 312".

4990722542_09189883be.jpg

318" Y-Block with Flat-o adapter and C-4.
 
I have used a C4 from a 6 cyl to a full out drag car and has always worked very well . It can hold up to 500+ HP pretty well ! A C4 will work for most any engine we use today in our Fords from a Y block to a stroked 351w !
Also is something would ever happen and you need to be towed to have it repaired , you will have no problems having it fixed fast because parts are so easy to find !
I have a fresh C4 I have for my 302 I just built . It has lots of low end torgue with some decent HP as well . I am hard on an engine & trans bcause my right foot is just too heavy sometimes .
It's one of Fords best things they made . Just like the great HiPo 289 too !

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top