C6 to NP upgrade

[AlleyCat]

I would pull the shifter just due to the fact it's so close to the a/c case.You can test fit the stick and run it thru the gears without the lock collar to save hassle.Sometimes those collars can be a real bugger.

[ToughOldFord]

That did it! My first bend at the bottom didn't come out as clean as I hoped, think an angle would look better than a curve, second one above it came out fine. Anyway, it solved the problem, I can go though all the gears with no interference. Thanks for setting me on the right path Clay.
(I did pull it first, figured it'd be best for the carpet and you're right, my AC box would have melted.)

Now if I can get a drive line this weekend she'll be back on the road.

[Thunderfoot]

Looking Good You'll be and having fun

[rjewkes]

wheres that put the knowb in there?

[AlleyCat]

You're quite welcome. Nice job. I'm glad it all worked out.

[ToughOldFord]

Got my driveshaft today. Going to install and drive it tomorrow.

[ToughOldFord]

After one more big moment I drove her for the the first time with three pedals yesterday.

I went to install the new driveline and discovered that it and it's u-joints are larger than my old ones. I discovered that the slip joints are the same size on both drivelines so I attached the large front piece to my original rear piece since the front is all I needed anyway. But I still needed the larger yoke for the transmission. I checked around locally and couldn't find one. Blew my Sunday and $100 in fuel and drove all the way back to Sacramento to go back to that pick n pull where I got my driveline to get a $6 part from the same truck. I know, I probably could have waited and found something on the net and saved some money, but this is what happens when I get pissed and want to get the job done.
At least the truck and yoke were still there.

Got it together enough yesterday for a short drive, finished it up today after work, installed the flywheel cover, lubed the joints, etc. Drove it into town for a couple of errands. Noticeable differences:

Better throttle response. No power wasted, it's right there.

Starter is much quieter! Never gave it any thought before, but it makes since since a manual flywheel is so much heavier than the one in an auto, I guess it absorbs the sound better.

Idle's higher, about 900. Must take some hp to spin the TC and pump even in park. Will knock that back down tomorrow.

Will definitely have to keep safety in mind for a while, this isn't like buying a rig that started out as a manual, this is a truck that I drove for 3 years as an auto and is now a stick. I could see forgetting and starting out in gear if I'm not careful enough. Especially until I pull the A/T shifter and indicator.

I'm going to use it as a DD for work for a week or two, it'll be curious to find out what the mileage changes, if any, will be.

[ToughOldFord]

Got lucky on this tranny too, it's a healthy one. Smooth, quiet up and down shifts though all the gears. No slop in the shifter either.

I'm not the best carpenter, but I'm going to try to make a center console that'll work around the shifter. The console I had there is where my tach was mounted and now it's just sitting on the floor. And my CB mount was on the side of it and I think that's where my trailer brake control is going to go too. Time for measurements.

[SteveC]

Good job TOF im gonna be doing this to my 67 with my np435 i have setting in dads shop...i can just see down the road the screw ball transmission in the 67 were the coolent goes back to the transmission splitting a hose internally inside the transmission and my slushbox becoming a slush box.

[ToughOldFord]

I've posted this in another thread, but I'm copying it to this one as well to close the loop if anyone's following this upgrade:

Those of you that have followed my progress with my truck know that I can't get more than 8mpg out of it, with the exception of when I put the clutch fan in it and it gave my 8.5 until I fixed my AC and had to take the clutch fan back out. So back to 8mpg. Now, I recently upgraded from my C6 to a NP and I've gained at least over 1mpg. I'm averaging 9.2 now and it's actually better because my speedometer is now off with the donor speedo cable and gear in the truck. I'm reading approx 10mph less than I'm actually going so that means I'm not logging all the miles I'm actually driving so my MPG is better than the 9.2 I'm registering.

This is even better evidence than similar vehicles, this is the exact same truck, same engine, same driver, same routes, etc. Better mileage with the manual.

[ToughOldFord]

I mentioned above that I was going to make this and I had actually made it some time ago, but I finally finished it today by putting a couple of coats of shellac on it to protect it. One of the problems of manual shifters is you loose the space for console. So I made this one out of scrap wood that was once part of our [censored] cabinet that I cut out when I installed a dishwasher. I had noticed then that it was really good wood so I kept it.
I used no pattern, no real design, I just winged it with a tape measure. I'm not the steadiest hand when it comes to router work, but I think it came out okay. I have my tach mounted on it as you can see and will mount my CB to the side later. I now have some good cup-holders and a nick-knack holder as well.

My trailer brake will be soon, but it's going to go under the dash to the left of the steering wheel as it's an electrical one that uses the forward/backward motion of the truck slowing down to work the internal sensor. I will have to lose my vacuum gauge to do this, but it's not really good for anything anyway now that the truck's dialed in.





PS: I think the next round of wood I get I'll make another one for the '85, that'll be a little trickier since I'll have to work around two shifters.

[FordTruck]

How'd you muscle that in there without taking the motor out?
I just did the exact same swap but on a small block and I've gotta pull it all back out cause I've got a car flywheel and me and my dad could barley balance it long enoguh to line it up even with the motor out.

[ToughOldFord]

Nothing special, just me and a Harbor Freight transmission jack. Jack it in place, move it around 'till it's aligned up as close as possible and go for it.

[sideoilerfe]

Is your truck power steering?

[ToughOldFord]

Yes!