Help finding the right transmission

[thekid]

Ok i've bought the wrong transmission twice now and its getting frustrating.

I have a Ranger and i love it, but this post is not about the truck

I'm building a car and putting in a Taurus Sho engine into it. I was told any 3.0 or 4.0 manual trans would fit on it. (here is the blog of my project: http://bensbugeyeblog.com)

i was doing more research and read the M50D was a better tranny and a good one to use. I found one on cragstlist brought it home and it doesn't fit.

In doing more research it seems i can find the same M50D with the same model numbers listed but they have different bell housing configurations.

Looking between these two i think the only difference is between 3.0 and 4.0

3.0
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__88-94-FORD-RANGER-4WD-5SPD-3-0L-M5R1-M50D-Transmission_W0QQitemZ220276157976QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220276157976&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A1|240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

4.0
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__88-94-FORD-RANGER-4WD-5SPD-4-0L-M5R1-M50D-Transmission_W0QQitemZ220274433678QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220274433678&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A1|240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

the 3.0 has the correct looking bell housing for my engine.

am i correct in thinking that is the difference and i have a 4.0 trans but need a 3.0?

thanks for the help.

i'm tired of buying the wrong transmissions

Ben...

http://bensbugeyeblog.com/

 

[rickcdewitt]

ford used a few patterns on that tranny.go 3.0

 

[thekid]

one more quick stupid question

is the 3.0 the same as 2.9? or are they unique?

ben

http://bensbugeyeblog.com/

 

[metalmacguyver]

Unique. The 2.8,2.9 and 4.0 share patterns. the 2.3 has its own pattern, and the 3.0 has its own pattern.

 

[Taragon]

To solve your problem....

You'll need a 3.0 tranny.

 

[thekid]

Thanks everyone

now for the purposes of reselling the one i have, is it a 4.0 M50D?

I want to make sure i put the correct details in the listing

Ben...

 

[Taragon]

Post a pic of the bellhousing pattern and I can tell you.

 

[thekid]

here you go

many thanks again

Ben..

 

[2ranger87]

here you go

many thanks again

Ben..

That would be a 4.0 bolt pattern, although, it will also fit the 2.8/2.9 engines.