FM 145 vs FM 146?

[Denisefwd93]

I'm finding more FM145s "out there" but I've not been searching very hard.
Is there any difference in them to be concerned?

Thanks all!
Denise (old broad with old truck)

 

[adsm08]

The 145 is about two inches shorter, shifter is different, somewhat more prone to failure. Bell housing is different to accommodate a redesigned slave cylinder. Switching requires replacing boots, replacing the hydraulic line, relocating the trans cross member, new drive shafts.

Where about in SEPA are you, and how bad do you need a 146? I have a good one that I took out because I wanted an M5OD since I am planning to 4.0 the vehicle soon. I'd be willing to travel with it. The only things I don't have is a ball for the shifter and a slave because I reused them on my project.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Adsm, Thanks! That's an amazing offer! I'll talk it over with my Mech as he's on the prowl for parts already. I'm in Bristol! It's well over a 3 hr ride, I know, used to get out that way now and then! My truck runs and drives ok for now, just the auto trans needs some TLC (going to change the modulator) so we can do the conversion to stick in September or October.

I want to get all the parts big and small so it can be done with only a few days down time.

more questions;

What/how do we handle the speedo? (cable driven speedo on my 93.)

Back up lights?

Steering column things like the lever and lock autotrans park/neutral lock or switch?

It's the little things that bog down a project, so it's good to find out the answers well in advance.



Thanks!

 

[fastpakr]

Why not just switch to the Mazda trans that's the same length as your 146?

 

[adsm08]

The speedo shouldn't be an issue at all, your cable will just plug right in.

Backup lights need one pigtail kit, readily available from Ford, you just take the wires for the backup lights out of the connector on the trans range sensor, attach the plug for the manual trans switch, and plug it in.

Completing the park neutral circuit is similarly simple, take the two wires for that circuit at the TR plug, cut them, and splice them together. Adding the clutch switch is optional, but recommended.

As for the column shifter, what to do about it is up to you. Once the auto trans is gone it won't really do anything but confuse people.



A trip the whole way to Bristol and back is a bit much just to deliver a trans, but I am currently sitting on the waiting list for a training class in Exton. Since you aren't looking to make the swap until September or October that gives a lot of time. I should get into a class by then, and since I'd already be making 2/3 of the trip one way or another I'd be more than willing to bring it with me then.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Why not just switch to the Mazda trans that's the same length as your 146?

fastpakr, Enlighten me please!

 

[adsm08]

The Mazda trans (M5OD) used in the 90s is a stronger unit, same length as the A4LD and FM146, so it's mostly a bolt-in replacement (needs the floor pan trimmed a hair) and is generally considered more desirable. It's the only manual trans that Ford used behind the 4.0 because it uses roller bearings for the mains and the 4.0 has the torque to fracture the balls on the input shaft bearings of the FM and TK series trannies.

I never questioned the fact that you are looking for a 146, because you were also looking at 145s, and both transmissions were discontinued before 1993, so I just guessed that you were looking for another truck that isn't in your profile. If this is for your 93 you really should be looking for an M5OD.

 

[Denisefwd93]

well that sounds ok too, looking at the swap writeup is it a bit more involved?

 

[adsm08]

The M5OD swap is no more involved than the FM146 if you are swapping from an A4LD. They are almost identical outside. When I swapped from a 146 to the M5 in my BII it took me about three hours, and I wasn't really working that hard. Now I had a lift and the new trans already setup on a jack, and lots of air tools, but it still wasn't that hard.

The shifter on the M5 hit the front of the hole, but it was little enough that I was able to just bend the floor pan a bit.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Right after we restored this with a reman engine the 4 speed went. the guy working on it for me then finally listened to me and we put in a 5 speed. that was a good 12 years ago.

I know my Fieros inside and out Now my Ranger is looking like a big kit car too!