M5R2 to '78 351w

[Shoddy Cologne]

so i've got a '57 ford pickup with a 351w, 4bbl holley 4160, C6 trans, original 9'' rear. I'd like to throw a 5 speed in it and I've found a guy selling a working m5od r2 for $100. i've been finding mixed answers about whether or not it would be suitable.

this truck is 2wd and doesn't get flogged in the woods. or haul anything over 500lbs it's just a cruising truck with the occasional spirited press of the go pedal its kinda scary to drive the way it is atm with no power brakes/drums all round and the brake pedal only accessible to my left foot ( old clutch pedal is brake) that will all change soon lol.

So my question is will the M5R2 hold up to the daily cruise?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The m5r2 that you need is originally behind the 4.2l v6. It'll hold up to DD and maybe the occasional burnout. I had problems with being stuck in 3rd when it was behind the stock motor. I was told that is a common problem when they get higher mileage. It eventually broke, I never took it apart to see what happened. I used the truck for work. I sold it later on after putting a dfferent trans in.

 

[Snoranger]

The m5r2 that you need is originally behind the 4.2l v6. It'll hold up to DD and maybe the occasional burnout. I had problems with being stuck in 3rd when it was behind the stock motor. I was told that is a common problem when they get higher mileage. It eventually broke, I never took it apart to see what happened. I used the truck for work. I sold it later on after putting a dfferent trans in.

I don't know why you would only suggest the 4.2l version...
The m5r2 was also used in the F150 and Bronco until '96. It was used behind the 300, 302, (and some claim) the 351. All of which share the same bolt pattern.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Forgive me, in this instance I was thinking ranger for shifter placement. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Forgive me, in this instance I was thinking ranger for shifter placement. Thanks for pointing that out.

The SBF one is by far the easiest one to find, he needs the shifter more forward than a Ranger does.

 

[Shoddy Cologne]

this is for a 1957 ford f-100 pickup lol. idk if you missed that part.

 

[Shoddy Cologne]

i would use a ZF or possibly another tranny but its really hard to find anything. im thinking of the m5r2 cause they seem to be plentiful still. id like to put a manual tranny in as cheap as possible lol

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

So my question is will the M5R2 hold up to the daily cruise?

If it's in decent shape, as a DD, yes. As snoranger said;

The m5r2 was also used in the F150 and Bronco until '96. It was used behind the 300, 302, (and some claim) the 351. All of which share the same bolt pattern.

 

[Shoddy Cologne]

okay, thanks. for 100 bucks ill get the m5od. i'll have to figure out flywheel,starter,driveshaft length, master cylinder.. bunch of junk.

 

[Lariat]

A flywheel/starter from any sbf with an m50d will work. Don't forget your spacer plate.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

this is for a 1957 ford f-100 pickup lol. idk if you missed that part.

Ugh, missed that, saw '78 and thought you were dealing with a '78.

Dunno which style would fit better, the two styles have different towers positions for the shifter.

And like Lariat said, don't forget the plate, they are different between manual and automatic.

 

[Shoddy Cologne]

never head of a spacer plate lol. now is that a piece of tin between the block and tranny or something to space the flywheel? sorry i'm lost. thanks.

 

[shortzt]

I think he's referring to the block plate and yes piece of tin, most automatic ones have raised sections , manuals are normally all flat, most fly wheels will hang up on auto ones, I had one from a c4, heated it up and flattened it but then found out bronco grave yard sells them for like $25

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

never head of a spacer plate lol. now is that a piece of tin between the block and tranny or something to space the flywheel? sorry i'm lost. thanks.

It is/does both actually. It shims the starter mounting surface relative to the flywheel and keeps the clutch/tc from going too far into the bell housing.

 

[Shoddy Cologne]

right. thought so. i've been reading around and still can't decide.. id rather not deal with a busted trans. its almost heard to give up the c6; being so stout. but a good manual trans would do wonders to my '57. a NP435 would be cool but it doesn't have syncros or overdrive and a ZFs47 would be the best option but can't find one for a reasonable cost or even find one locally..