C-4 trans for a 33 FORD

whizzernick

whizzernick

Well-known member
I am now trying to assemble for my 33 Ford phaeton a 21 stud motor – C4 transmission – original 33 Ford rear end. My question and problem is does anyone or can anyone think of the best way to mate the 33 rear end to the C4 transmission. I have thought of several ways but would be open to suggestions
thank you for any help.
Nick 510 – 889 – 1933
 
Hot Rod Works in Idaho makes a nice kit for open drive shaft for banjo rear ends. Flat-O makes adapters for flathead to C-4.
 
I guess I didn't make my self clear
I want to use 33 ford tork-tube and mate to c-4 .
I am not interested in open drive.
 
That is not aviable and never will.
Do you really want the bango? If so keep reared and convert to open drive.
 
whizzernick said:
I guess I didn't make my self clear
I want to use 33 ford tork-tube and mate to c-4 .
I am not interested in open drive.
Click to expand...

I think you will find that an automatic trans is not user friendly to a closed "torque tube" type of rear end.
An automatic trans multiplies the torque that any given engine can supply, therefore, parallel and/or traverse spring with stabilizer bars are required.
GM tried to use torque tubes with the early Power Glides, the application did not last long.
 
Why a C4? Autos are parasitic, they rob power, so you will have less performance. It can be done with a F150 84-87 4 speed manual where the top gear is overdrive. I have this in my Model A with flathead engine. Essentially it involves shortening the rear trans housing and installing a flathead trans mount/bearing retainer. I did this myself. Here is the shortened trans.....


 
The c4 has a governor in tail housing don't think it would ever fly.
I have a c4 in my 39 and it great ,no more grinding, chattering, no jumping out of 2nd,
and much faster and no missing of shifts. I do like that pu trans had one in my 86 F150.
 
I think you could adapt a c4 trans to the closed driveline. It would take some fabrication on the rear of the housing to accommodate the Ford torque tube holder and cup. I've done this to the 4 spd Mustang Toploader ('64 - 70's). Kinda like Bassmans.

Chuck
 
I have a c4 in my 53, You need another gear! FMX has an overdrive and will mount the same. If you can mount the c4 you can mount the FMX.
 
No problem bud, what rear gear has your 53? Apart from feeling the need for another gear, how does the car drive with the C4? Did you drive it before the trans swap?
Martin.
 
When I heard of this c4 to flathead I went out a bought a 81 Granada was a 6 cylinder.
I asked myself if I would be happy driving it and was fast enough.
Just picturing the mercury up front.
Well dropped the c4 and pulled the rear end 2.79 gears.
Its my drive train today in my 39 ford and its great.
Did ford o matic ever have a auto over drive in 53
 
This is a very interesting thread. I think there are several good/bad ideas. The best one is the Baseman T-150 trans, the other is an AOD. Unfortunately that wont bolt to a n early 21 stud engine and I doubt the 65/70 hp of the 21 studder would work very well. Converting the C-4 to open drive would be the answer, but very expensive and I don't think it would fit in the stock frame. The logical solution would be to convert to open drive, but that's not an option by the owner, Why?? However once the C-4 is installed, how do you stop the car
 
The 53 has a 3.54 I drove it with the Fordomatic shifting very poorly and slipping! The C4 is Ok at 55 0r 60, but turns the stock 239 pretty hard at interstate speeds. I do not have a tach on it so I cant tell you what it is turning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top