What trans do I have, is it strong?

[stevenf]

Ihave an 89 BII with the 2.9L v6 and auto trans. What model trans is this? Is it worth strapping a 302 to it or will it easily give out?

 

[derek54401]

2.9's were coupled to the notouriously weak A4LD tranny. overheating is an issue when towing even the lightest loads, even with an auxiliary trans cooler. these transmissions were not known for their reliability, however, were later used on explorers with similar success, which i believe featured the 4.6 liter v8r

 

[metalmacguyver]

The A4LD was never used behind explorer V8s.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I believe the Exploder V8s used the 4R70W transmission.

You will need a different transmission for a 302 swap.

 

[stevenf]

What trans would you recommend? I need it to be inexpensive and as easy to find as possible.

 

[rboyer]

If you are looking for something inexpensive then you cannot have any say in if it will be reliable or not. Finding an A4LD in a U-Pull-It yard would probably be your cheapest method to get the truck running but that's assuming that you have decent junkyards in your area. Then you've got to take the "junkyard gamble" which with an automatic transmission it prettymuch means that you've got to find the one there with the lowest amount of miles, pull the pan first to check for large metal chunks, and if there are no chunks then pull it and take it home.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

A transmission for the 302 V8?

A number of them are available depending on what you want. Do you want automatic or stick? Overdrive necessary?

 

[stevenf]

Right now the transmission is working fine, I was just curious how well it will hold up and since Im going through the engine swap trouble should I get a different trans in there also?

 

[Sunk]

If you are swapping in a V8, then yes you should swap that transmission for another. The C6 is a good strong transmission that's not too hard to come by. The C4 is also, but a bit weaker. If you want a manual, you have a few options there as well.

 

[Psychopete]

Right now the transmission is working fine, I was just curious how well it will hold up and since Im going through the engine swap trouble should I get a different trans in there also?

IMO. Yes.

To adapt it, you will need an adapter kit. The kit would probably cost about the same as a V8 transmission, or more. Once the A4LD got murked by the V8, you would either have to swap another A4LD in or get a V8 trans and loose money on the adapter kit. (no one would buy the adapter kit off of you, either )

Pete

 

[stevenf]

I just found a 351m on craigslist with an automatic trans from a 70's Ford LTD for $50.00, Whats the difference in the 351m,c, or w? Are parts interchangable?

 

[gotmudd]

I just found a 351m on craigslist with an automatic trans from a 70's Ford LTD for $50.00, Whats the difference in the 351m,c, or w? Are parts interchangable?

can't remember if the m series is big or small block, the cleavland is i believe a "mid-size" block, it has the charicteristics [sp] of both, meaning big block heads and power with a smallblock bellhousing. the windsor i can't remember what class it is, what i do know is that parts are not interchangable

 

[Psychopete]

The 351M, 400M, and 351C are part of the same engine family (335 Cleveland series).

The 351M is a destroked 400M. You can tell them apart (M & C) by the raised area where the upper hose goes into the timing cover, it's an inch or so taller. These are pretty big engine themselves, compared to a Windsor. Those are considered mid-blocks, they're not technically big blocks, though the majority of the M engines are big block bellhousing and motor mount set up (there are some exceptions though, I think some 400s were small block bell). Some parts interchange between the 351C and 351/400M. There's not a lot of difference between the 351M and 400M, they're the same block. The intakes are dry, there's no coolant than runs through the intake. They are REALLY expensive to build, but in stock form they are turds (M). They can make power, but at a high cost, and it would be better to make it a 400M.

I've pulled one of those engines out of a F150, like I said, they are big bastards.

The 302 & 351W are both Windsor blocks, small block bell and mounts. They have nothing in common with the M engines. Ideally, a Windsor would probably be the most simplistic and practical for a Ranger swap. But that's just my opinion.

Pete

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 351M/400 use big block tranmissions, I will vouch for the 400 being a torque monger of an engine. Also very tough, it would be fun to have one in a Ranger

Dunno if I would go thru the hassle with a 351M though, the half inck of stroke between the two makes a lot of difference.

 

[stevenf]

How much power would I be looking at for a 302 with ported heads, intake, mild cam, and bigger injectors? I know the stock heads are terrible on air flow...