C4 conversion

edhd58

edhd58

Well-known member
Yes I know I'll catch hell for this .. but I'm doing it ..

I am swapping in a 302 and C4 where the G226 and 3 speed was. The G finally spun a rod bearing due to long oil pick up times after sitting .. and the 3 speed started rumbling ( most likely a bearing).

Sooo ... the question is ... does or has anyone here put a C4 in their car and kept the original column shift? And .. if so .. how did you make the shifter linkages work ? I have an idea .. I would like to not have do learn by trial and error .... several times.

Thanks for any helpful info
 
Not the same but I put a 302/AOD combo in my '54 Ranch Wagon. Was able to make an automatic column from a '54 work (wagon was originally a stick). Car is completely torn down for a complete redo after the install so I can't give any long range experience.
 
I have a flathead with a C4. I use the original column shifter. I made my own connecting rods. It's not that difficult. I'm sure you could adapt a cable shifter, all under the floor.
I ended up using the the 1st and reverse linkage to shift the trans, I put a length of all-thread through the 2nd and 3rd selector at the bottom of the column and adjusted the neutral gate to line up with the park position. That way I can shift it into park and just bump the column shifter forward. Prevent someone from accidentally knocking it, plus confuse a potential thief.
I have my car on a hoist ATM so I can get some pictures if you need them.
 
I have a 8" rear with 2.79 : 1 ratio. The kick-down lever is not connected. It is a bit tall but I have adjusted the shifter module so with my foot hard on the gas it changes into 2nd at 3,000 RPM which is 30 MPH. 60 MPH is around 2,400 RPM. I like it! And that's all that matters, really. I did this all sometime during the 1980's.
 
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From Oregon: The C4 flathead fellow in Salem, Or, is rumored to be having health problems. I'll know this week Newc
 
Couple picture of an automatic trans detent arrange on a Ford manual shift column. The red thing is a bolt reshaped to act as the pin for the detent. The piece of tube with welded ears is the detent rail; the notches for park and neutral haven't been cut yet; but should get the idea.

Arm length on the trans needs to be made to match travel of the arm on column so trans and column detents match.

Pictures are from old scrounger posts on the hamb.
 

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I had a call from Gene yesterday, replying to a message I had left him a week or so ago. Gene explained he had a lengthy hospital stay that put him behind but that he and his son were playing catch-up. Be patient, Gene is a really good guy and a real asset to those of us you don't want to shift 5 times to get things going!
 
rich b said:
Couple picture of an automatic trans detent arrange on a Ford manual shift column. The red thing is a bolt reshaped to act as the pin for the detent. The piece of tube with welded ears is the detent rail; the notches for park and neutral haven't been cut yet; but should get the idea.

Arm length on the trans needs to be made to match travel of the arm on column so trans and column detents match.

Pictures are from old scrounger posts on the hamb.
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Christopher Salty said:
Any reason you’re not using an overdrive setup? That extra gear allows for better off the line gearing and better highway mpg.
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I tried and AOD .. to go that way I have to modify the chassis .. I dont have the equipment for that .. using Chassis Engeineering parts teh C4 is bolt in
 
arkusvt said:
I had a call from Gene yesterday, replying to a message I had left him a week or so ago. Gene explained he had a lengthy hospital stay that put him behind but that he and his son were playing catch-up. Be patient, Gene is a really good guy and a real asset to those of us you don't want to shift 5 times to get things going!
Click to expand...
Who is the Gene you speak of ??
 
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69a said:
I have a flathead with a C4. I use the original column shifter. I made my own connecting rods. It's not that difficult. I'm sure you could adapt a cable shifter, all under the floor.
I ended up using the the 1st and reverse linkage to shift the trans, I put a length of all-thread through the 2nd and 3rd selector at the bottom of the column and adjusted the neutral gate to line up with the park position. That way I can shift it into park and just bump the column shifter forward. Prevent someone from accidentally knocking it, plus confuse a potential thief.
I have my car on a hoist ATM so I can get some pictures if you need them.
Click to expand...
I'm wanting to use the column shifter too .. I have an idea of how to make a linkage that works ... but if someone who has done it can save me time by showing something that DOES work ... I'm all about learning - and not the hard way
 
This is for a right hand drive.
It would be much easier for LHD
For orientation front of car is at the top of the pics.
I took a dozen pics so pm me if you want more.
 
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